Melissa has worked in the early childhood sector for over 30 years. Her experience includes service delivery in long day care, pre-school, family day care, outside school hours care and occasional care.

Melissa has worked for different levels of government organisations - Commonwealth, State and Local government and has a good understanding of the influence of politics in the ECEC sector. Melissa has led the development of a Children's Services Strategy to ensure an aspirational vision for planning in the local community. Her experience also includes the development of a Child Safeguarding policy and Children's Services RAP. Melissa has been part of leading a national team who conducted quality assurance visits to services across Australia.

“Early childhood services are valued as an essential part of a healthy and engaged community. Integrated learning services and play-based approach are a quality benchmark for early childhood learning that should be available to all children in every community. Early childhood education should be accessible, equitable, flexible and enable community connections and support community values.”