About Us
Introducing Christian Early Learning (CEL), a non-denominational Christian organisation established in 2022. CEL was founded by leaders in the Early Learning sector with a steadfast mission: to serve as a peak body that connects, supports, and guides church boards, leaders, teachers, and educators within the expansive network of 450+ Christian Early Learning centres across Australia. Our mission extends beyond mere support; we are also fervent advocates committed to ensuring the enduring vitality of the critical ministry of Christian Early Learning.
OUR VISION
We see a future where every Christian Early Learning organisation is governed with excellence and delivered by passionate educators whose “mission first” perspective results in early education and care environments that nurture hearts, minds and souls.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Christian Early Learning is to empower and mobilise Christian organisations to operate with excellence and purpose.
At Christian Early Learning, we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. Our mission is to empower and mobilise Christian organisations to provide high-quality early learning experiences that nurture the whole child. We are committed to helping Christian organisations operate with excellence and purpose by providing resources, training, and support to help them deliver the best possible early learning programs. Working together can create a brighter future for all children and help them reach their full potential.
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CEL Board
Anna Phan- Board Chair
Anna works for the Christian firm, Resolve Consulting. She brings extensive recruitment, strategy, leadership and governance experience, and a specialist interest in Early Childhood organisational consulting.
Anna serves on the board of BaptistCare NSW / ACT, including on the People & Culture and Care & Clinical Governance committees, and chairs the Governance and Nominations committee. Anna brings prior experience as a NFP CEO and a senior sales leader for global FMCG organisations.
Anna lives on the Central Coast of NSW, and is a member of Erina Baptist Church.
David Bartlett - Board Director (FCA BEc MEd GradDipCS Cert Gov JP)
David has worked in the Christian schooling sector for 30 years, for the first 13 as a Business Manager of a Christian school and for the last 17 as a Partner with Resolve, a consulting firm that provides financial management, governance and leadership training and advice.
David has coauthored the Not for Profit governance framework Community Governance, which has impacted the governance of Christian organisations in more than 60 countries. David has also authored numerous published articles and developed training curriculum dealing with business management and governance issues.
David is married to Simone and worships at Erina Community Baptist Church on the Central Coast of NSW. David and Simone have three adult children.
Warren Melville -Board Director (B.Sc, Dip.Tchg, M.Ed (Leadership)
Warren is a recently retired School Principal, having led a Christian school and preschool for 14 years. Retirement, in this case, means part-time teaching, running a small consulting business and working for the Department of Justice, supporting children and young people who are victims of crime/witness interviews through Police and Court proceedings.
Warren and his wife, Lisa, are active members of Generocity Church in Dubbo. An avid golfer, reader and granddad, he enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren.
Karen Petrie -Board Director (Bachelor of Education Early
Childhood (Birth – 5 years)
Karen has worked in the early childhood sector for over 20 years and has served as an Early Childhood Teacher, Educational Leader, Centre Director, and Project Officer for Seventh-day Adventist Schools QLD
Karen has a passion for the early years and sharing Jesus through her actions, values, and Christian perspective.
CEL Team
Abby Revill- Executive Officer
Abby brings over 22 years of experience in the early and middle learning sector to her position at Christian Early Learning, having worked in various roles prior to joining in March 2023. One of her notable positions included serving as the General Manager, overseeing a portfolio of 30 Long Day Care centers and OSHC services.
Along with her professional experience, Abby and her husband, Ben, previously served as Pastors over eight years and are the proud parents of three beautiful children.
Christina Lane- Relationships Officer
Christina brings 12 years of experience in the early learning sector. She has worked in various
roles, including three years experience as an Educational Leader and three years experience as a Nominated Supervisor of a Christian Preschool. Christina holds a Diploma in Children's Services. She has a heart for evangelism and a passion for teaching God's word to the next generation. She has a passion for mission and mentorship, which was ignited
during her time working for Youth for Christ, where she completed her Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology and Coach-Net Training.
Christina and her husband, Tom, are the proud parents of three beautiful children and attend Lighthouse Church on the Central Coast of NSW.
Janelle Knox - Marketing and Events Officer
With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Janelle brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role as Marketing and Events Officer.
Her career journey began in Christian radio, media, and sales before serving as a Communications Specialist at Compassion Australia, where she played a significant role in developing and implementing the nationally broadcast Compassion Day radio campaigns. Compelled by God, Janelle then founded and ran MICI Magazine which published content for close to 15 years centered on empowering women and girls around their identity, purpose, and worth in Christ.
Driven by her favorite Bible verse from Ephesians 1:11 (MSG), "It's in Christ we find out who we are and what we're living for," Janelle is passionate about faith exploration and mentorship. Her diverse qualifications span Biblical Studies to Business Management.
Janelle lives on the Central Coast with her husband and two teenage children.
What Our Member Say About Us!
A HUB FOR LEARNING AND A PLACE OF INSPIRATION
CEL is both a hub for learning and place of inspiration, a sector specific support for both leaders and educators.
With specialised membership programs, events and retreats we are here to support YOU as you support, educate and nurture the children and families in your care.
CEL provides invaluable support and resources to Christian educators in their mission to educate and impact children. Research shows that early childhood education is critical to a child's development and can have a lasting impact on their future learning and success. By focusing on developing a strong sector in Christian Early Education, CEL and its member organisations are establishing the groundwork for a lifetime of learning and growth for the children currently in their care.
Christian Early Learning Support Services provides faith-based guidance and coaching, assisting you in navigating the sectors' challenges with confidence and integrity.
A place of support and equipping
The opportunities and challenges for the Christian Early Learning Sector include 2.5 years of COVID challenges, ever-increasing regulatory requirements and $15.9bn state and federal funding allocations to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector including universal pre-kindy in NSW & VIC. This is therefore a pivotal moment in time for Kingdom impact in the education and care sector.
Our online platform will underpin success and nationwide impact
Website with publicly available information and members only content• Shorter form, and video workshop driven to increase engagement
We connect, equip and elevate the Christian Early Learning Sector.
CONNECT WITH US
info@cel.edu.au
