Our Staff

Vicki McKinnon has been involved in early childhood education for 27 years. She is CEO of Building Futures Pty Ltd and Principal of MECTA.

Originally trained as a secondary teacher, Vicki taught in that sector for six years. She moved into early childhood when her parents retired and built a childcare centre in Inala, Qld, opening in 1994. As an operator of high quality, sought after services, her understanding that the best outcomes for children are driven by the level of skill and the heart of educators led to the establishment of BFE in 2009. Currently Building Futures Pty Ltd operates three long day care services and a family day care service along with the Registered Training Organisation. Additionally, Vicki contributes to the broader community through Montessori Children’s Foundation, through presenting at conferences and workshops, and consulting with other business operators and educators.

Vicki believes that it is important that the educators have confidence in themselves, based on a solid knowledge base and established skills. Vicki has delivered and received education in schools, university and TAFE settings, as well as in-service experiences. As such, she is passionate about the opportunity for small group tutorial delivery to enhance learning experiences for students. The communication of passion, shared ideas and experiences, as well as vicarious experience from the tutor, leads to more vibrant, relevant and memorable learning. This has led to the primary delivery mode of the college being face-to-face group sessions.

As a Montessori-trained teacher, the importance of contextualising learning for the workplaces of the learners is high on the priority list. This ensures that learners are fully equipped for their current and future work opportunities.

Sarah chose to move into the Early Childhood Industry as her career after the birth of her first daughter, and has been working in the early childhood sector since 2006. 

Her extensive experience started as a trainee assistant educator in a Northside of Brisbane centre.  Her natural leadership abilities were recognised and gave her the opportunity to continue her career in a group leader role.   Whilst on maternity leave, Sarah expanded her experience in the Industry as a home daycare educator, caring for children 0-12yrs of age in her own home.

Upon returning to working in a centre again, she maintained her group leader role.  A desire to grow her career saw her apply and be successful in the role of Assistant Centre Manager, relieving several times as Centre Manager during the leave periods of her colleague.

In 2023, Sarah saw the advertisement for the position of College Manager and after 12 years in her Assistant Director role, reflected on her broad experience within the sector and how that would be of value to the position. 

This wealth of experience has given her a unique broad perspective on the needs of the early childhood sector. 

She has a genuine understanding of the students’ individual needs and is able to provide invaluable support in her role as a college manager not only to the students, but with her wonderful team of passionate trainers.

Sarah models the embodiment of the career potential within the Early Childhood sector and is therefore in a position to be a guiding lead and mentor within the college.

Toni Reed is an experienced Early Childhood Teacher and Montessori Directress who has worked for Building Futures since 2007 as a teacher across all age groups and educational leader. She has a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) and Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Montessori and Trainer and Assessor Certificate IV.

Toni has a broad range of knowledge and experience in all levels of education particularly in learning support.  She has been conducting the college Montessori Workshops for several years and in more recent times, the Early Childhood courses.

Born in Beaudesert, Qld, Toni has a passion for nature and sustainability.

Amy has been working in the early childhood industry since 2010 when she moved to Australia from New Zealand, working within the Montessori curriculum for the majority of her career and even branching out into Montessori home based care for some time. Amy has been a part of the Building Futures Team for the majority of her time in the Early Childhood sector, where she worked as part of the Wavell Heights team in both the 0-3 and 3-6 classrooms. Amy hold her Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Diploma in Montessori Education and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Deciding to follow a path in training and assessment, Amy moved out of the early childhood classroom in July 2019 and has been working for MECTA ever since as the Certificate III of Early Childhood Education and Care trainer. Amy has a passion for all things Montessori and was even a Montessori child herself! She was born in Zimbabwe and spent the better part of her own early childhood travelling with her family until settling in New Zealand and living the farm life riding horses with her Mum and Dad.

Amy has a great love of all animals and dreams of one day being surrounded by many. The love of her life is a rescued three-legged Staffordshire bullterrier named Evie! Amy loves taking Evie to the beach with her partner, all things Harry Potter, art, reading, writing and playing games with friends.

Fleur is from a big family in a tiny town in Northern New South Wales and has been working in the early childhood industry for over 14 years.

Fleur is working towards becoming one of our awesome Trainer and Assessors. Fleur finds joy and feeds her soul through gardening, creating, drawing, travelling, and giving anything a go. This has skilled Fleur with creative concepts to provide practical applications for training and supporting students.

She has her diploma in Children Services, Diploma in Montessori Education and Cert IV in Training and assessment. Her next goal is to continue creating beautiful things and sharing what she learns along the way.