About Jessica Staines

Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator, advocate and professional speaker, with more than fifteen years of experience working with providers in both urban and regional communities.

As the founder of the multiple award-winning Koori Curriculum, Jessica’s commitment to social justice, reconciliation and anti-bias practices drives her to empower educators to be more culturally aware and inclusive. She facilitates a range of professional development programs, resources and workshops for educators that help guide the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood curriculums.

Jessica has played many significant roles nationally and internationally in building cultural understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool and as the National Representative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People at the World Forum Foundations Global Leaders Program.

Her work has been published in industry journals, and she has previously been a part of the AIATSIS Education Advisory Committee and HIPPY Reference group, contributing to the development of resources and programs that support Aboriginal children and families in the early years.

Jessica’s family are Wiradjuri and have lived off Country on Gadigal and Wangal land for four generations. Her family originally came from Cowra, Molong, Parkes and Wellington, but due to displacement, they were disconnected from their family and communities.

Today, Jessica lives on Darkinjung Country with her husband and two children on a peaceful bush block, and is proud to identify as a Wiradjuri woman, with connections to her local Darkinjung community.




What Educators say about
working with Jessica


"Our staff have memberships with the Koori Curriculum as they love hearing podcasts and watching webinars with Jess, which in turn develops their knowledge. It has been so meaningful getting this information not only from an Aboriginal woman but also from a teacher who understands the early childhood space."

- Paula Papanicolaou

Essex Heights Juniors Early Learning Centre


"I have been inspired by Jessica’s commitment, vision and professional generosity, collaborating with educators to enhance the pedagogical practices within their own services and wider early childhood community."

- Marnie Omeragic

Director Concord West Rhodes Preschool


“We have worked with Jess and Koori Curriculum for many years, and now we continue to use their resources to update our knowledge and support new team members. Jess has designed resources that everyone can engage in, as a teacher she understands the work of educators, so we have always found the content relevant. Jess is able to work with whole teams to explain Australia's history and the impact of colonialisation. Encouraging conversations and answering all the tough questions. Koori Curriculum is the place to go to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.”

- Su Garrett

Explore & Develop Annandale


"Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us during our one on one training session. Our discussions together made me rethink my approach to the planning and documentation of children’s learning.

Melissa Crawford

"Honestly there were so many valuable ideas shared by Jessica that I'm very keen to implement in my service. I'm going to look back over my notes with my team to see how we can implement some of these ideas"

Lamisse Kazzi

"Thank you for this webinar and all the ideas and resources you shared. We have had a RAP for some time but it had become stagnant but since recruiting a new team and since becoming director I have started to revive it shall I say."

Vanessa Strickland

"We have taken on board the advice of Jess from The Koori Curriculum and we will be incorporating a sprinkling of Aboriginal resources intentionally in our program, always not just on special days or as a display piece"

G1 Early Education

“I attended the Embedding Aboriginal Perspectives workshop today and came away with a range of ideas to incorporate into our program in an authentic way. Jess is a great educator who delivers the content of the workshop in an informative, but practical manner. I highly recommend the workshop for ECE services who are not sure if they are doing the right thing, or just have no idea where to start.”

Lauren Brown

“I'm so grateful for The Koori Curriculum Their knowledge, professionalism and approachability making Jess and the team an invaluable resource for educators and the wider community.”

Katie Jacobson

“Such invaluable information and beautiful products/resources! Would be lost without Jess and Koori Curriculum. A thousand percent recommend”

Kristi Casey

“What an experience! Jessica is a knowledgeable and passionate person who loves to share her advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pedagogies and ways of learning. Her PD was informative and relevant to everyday practices. Highly recommend!”

Mik Bignotti



Our deadly live webinars with Jess





Looking for pre-recorded webinars for you or your team?


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Are you wanting to respectfully embed Aboriginal perspectives in your program?

In my private membership group, The Koori Curriculum Club, you’ll get amazing support to assist in the development of your centres Aboriginal programs, with regular Member mentoring sessions, lesson plans and master classes.