ABOUT US

Meaningful assessment that connects teachers to families and children

Educa is a Learning Story platform. Learning Stories help teachers and families see children more clearly as individuals, and that’s when the magic happens. 

What We Do

Educa is a secure online Learning Story platform used by teachers in early childhood settings to document and share children’s learning with families – on any device.

This is authentic assessment, written in language everyone can understand – families, teaching peers and children. It leads to a better understanding of each child, better teaching decisions and when shared, authentic collaboration with families.

Educa is a full data cycle platform.

Our Why

Each child is on a unique journey, with unique needs.  Understanding each child is the cornerstone of a quality education, but not easy to do in busy early childhood settings..  

The Learning Story process in Educa builds thoughtful reflection and observation of children into a teacher’s day, shining a light on each child’s uniqueness. Stories are a way for teachers to share these insights.

Our vision is a world where teachers and families use the shared understanding that comes from Learning Stories to work together to help young children grow. Educa has a vital role to play.

Our Founding Story

Developed in New Zealand, now worldwide.
When our founder, Nathan Li, sent his daughter, Nancy, to child care in 2009 he and his wife felt disconnected. Nathan was told he would receive a scrapbook every couple of months. Nathan simply asked, why can’t I see what she is doing today? Why couldn’t learning stories be online?
And so Educa was born.
We started as simple parent engagement software supporting learning stories. However, working with ECE thought leaders and customers over the years, we now provide a full educational solution.

That process has not stopped.  As customer reporting and priorities change, Educa evolves and adapts, although always focused our core mission, to positively impact child learning outcomes at every turn.

Our Advisory Board

Educa is guided by thought leaders in early education from
around the world, helping us stick to our core mission and goals.

Kelly Goodsir, Australia

Kelly has her own consultancy, after a long career in early education in centre based roles, quality assurance delivery, professional development workshops and coaching.

She runs early childhood education study tours to New Zealand and is a regular presenter for Educa in our webinar series on a range of topics — from writing engaging learning stories, to working with loose objects, to ECE documentation and developing a living philosophy for your team.

Toni Christie, New Zealand

Toni is the Director of Childspace Early Childhood Institute in Wellington, New Zealand. She holds a Masters degree in Education. Toni owns several early learning centres, a magazine and runs professional development seminars and workshops around the world on nature play, respectful environment design, leadership and ECE curriculum.

Miriam Dressler, USA

Founder of Bloom Early Education, WA, Miriam has had 30+ years in early education as a teacher, quality consultant, teacher trainer and preschool owner.  She also presents webinars on a range of topics, all related to early childhood, including several for Educa as part of our series.  Miriam’s center was Educa’s first customer in the United States.

Susan MacDonald, USA

Susan is the founder of the consulting group Inspiring New Perspectives, which focuses on leadership skill development in ECE. She has run a Reggio-inspired early childhood service and chairs BARIN, the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network. Susan is also an author, adjunct professor, Reggio Emilia tour guide and professional speaker.

Dee Finn, New Zealand

Dee moved to New Zealand from Ireland in 2009 to seek some inspiration from NZ’s great early childhood centres and never left!  She runs the Childspace Early Learning Centres, facilitates educational workshops and mentors teachers and leaders throughout New Zealand. Dee has a strong interest in the concept of ako – teachers and children learning from each other, inquiry based teaching and learning and pedagogical leadership.

Michelle Rogers, Australia

Michelle has her own early childhood consultancy, called Sustainable Childcare Consultancy. She has spent 20+ years in both private and corporate childcare in various teaching and management roles. Her focus is on helping centers raise their QIP ratings, with QIP health checks, followed by a list of action items.

Megan Watson, New Zealand

Megan has a Diploma in Teaching Early Childhood and a long career in early education. She joined Little School in Wellington in 2003 as a teacher and now since 2009 has been part of the management team. Megan is an Educa super-user.

Michael Mastelero, Australia

Michael has had a career as a centre manager, operations manager and startup coordinator for a large Australian early childhood chain. He currently oversees new centre openings and quality improvement at Bliss Early Learning. Read more here.

Diane Major, New Zealand

Diane has spent 10+ years in the early childhood sector, starting two large successful centres. Her previous career in technology was foundational in bringing innovation to her services.

Dante Posthumus, Australia

Dante was drawn to early childhood teaching in 2008, after a career in graphics design. She made Educa part of her teacher process and today is one of our most knowledgeable users.

Raewyn Penman, New Zealand

Raewyn holds an M.B.A and teaching qualifications, she has extensive experience in early childhood settings. She lectured at tertiary level and been a facilitator for a number of professional learning and development contracts. Raewyn promotes the use of digital technologies to increase communication and efficient use of teachers’ precious time.