About Jessica Staines

The Koori Curriculum is operated by Jessica Staines a Wiradjuri Woman and early childhood teacher. Jessica has worked in early childhood for over fifteen years for a range of service providers in both urban and regional communities. Whilst working in early childhood Jessica naturally found herself supporting educators to become culturally aware and confident in embedding Aboriginal perspectives in their program.

  • In 2017 Jessica featured on Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali platform where she advised educators in several videos on how they could begin their journey. Jessica is passionate about Reconciliation, social justice and Anti Bias and encourages all early learning services to sign up for a RAP.
  • In 2018 Jessica was supported by Early Childhood Australia and Educational Experience to take part in the World Forum Foundations Global Leaders Program and she later became the National Representative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This experience allowed Jessica to network with First Nations People around the globe, learn about their programs and how we can potentially benefit from them in the Australian context.
  • Jessica was the Boolarng programs ambassador for Educational Experience from 2018-2020.
  • Jessica has written for several early childhood journals and texts including “The Anti Bias Approach in Early Childhood”, “The Aboriginal Early Childhood Practice Guide” and Educator Yarns.
  • In 2019 Jessica became the Aboriginal early childhood advisor for TV’s Playschool and collaborated on the making of the Kiya Doll. She has advised on many episodes to ensure the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives and is especially proud of the shows Acknowledgement of Country episode. Jessica is passionate about having Aboriginal culture reflected, included and celebrated on TV to foster a sense of pride in young Aboriginal children today. She is still engaged in an advisory role with ABC Playschool (2023).
  • In 2021 Jessica became part of the AIATSIS Education Advisory Committee and HIPPY Reference group where she continues to support the development of resources and programs that support Aboriginal children and families in the early years. She is still presently engaged in this committee.

Jessica and the team at Koori Curriculum continue to innovate and create new and diverse ways to reach educators across Australia and the world, adding to the ever expanding suite of products and services including podcasts, educational resources, exclusive publications, webinars, online summits, conferences, in-services and planning days.




What Educators say about
working with Jessica


"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


"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



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.