Creators and Guests

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Wishing Tree Early Learning Group

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of The Wishing Tree Early Learning Group

Dr Rajeev Tomar is a senior consultant of Pediatric and Clinical director of Women and children institute at Kings college hospital Dubai. He is also the director of pediatric liver transplant program at Kings college Dubai. He trained at two of the world premiere institutes – Great Ormond Street hospital for children and Kings college hospital in London. His area of special interest is pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology.

PhD in Early Childhood Education and Director of Early Learning at the Australian International School Dubai

Karen McCord, Executive Principal of the Australian International School Dubai, commenced her role in May 2021. Karen is an Education Queensland Principal whose previous school, Bundaberg State High School (2014-2021) was the recipient of several Education Showcase Awards during her time there, including 2018 State Winner- Innovation Award for International Students Experience, and the Multicultural Award. During her more than 20 years in leadership positions, Karen has led several schools across two regions of Queensland, Australia. Between 2016 - 2021 Karen worked as a Regional Representative for various areas in Education Queensland, including Wellbeing and Safety, in addition to New Pedagogies for Deep Learning. She was also Inaugural Independent Chair for Bundaberg Headspace, Australia's national leader in mental health and medical support for young people between 2017- 2019. Commencing 2015 Karen was also nominated as Lead Principal as the Bundaberg Regional Youth Hub, consisting of leading business and school leaders across the region. An initiative that was recognised by the State through two State Education awards for its work with connecting communities and ensuring seamless transitions for youth into work and study. Karen's leadership experience and commitment to P-12 schools, large and complex in relation to curriculum, pedagogy, learning, and pastoral care is further evidenced by her invitation to join in 2015, the North Coast Region - Early School Leavers Group, and then in 2016, requested to be the Educational Representative for the University of Queensland-Rural Medical School.

Maree Knock has an undergraduate degree in Human Movement with a specialism in Health Promotion from Deacon University, Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Education P-12 from La Trobe University, Australia. Maree combines her life-long love of the outdoors, gardening and a particular passion for kitchen gardening, with her background in education where she worked in Australia for almost 15 years. Various roles have seen her work to promote edible gardening in educational settings in the UAE, volunteering and working with community groups and delivering workshops on composting and a variety of gardening topics to adults and children. She loves to promote the benefits of gardening on health and wellbeing and has experienced how incredible it is to introduce edible gardens in early learning settings.

Natalie is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with over 25 years of experience in Early Years Education. She is also a Certified Circle of Security® Parent Educator and COSP Classroom Tier 1 Facilitator. With Post Graduate qualifications in Pre and Postnatal Family Care and Support, Natalie has been supporting families with sleep and settling for more than 15 years. Her passion lies in helping new families navigate the precious early days and beyond with their children by offering a better understanding of children's needs, cues, and capabilities. Natalie collaborates closely with Early Years Educators to provide workable strategies for creating an emotional and physically safe sleep space in their Early Years Services.

Co-Founder of the Institute of Child Psychology, Leduc, Canada. She was born in South Africa, where she received an Honours degree in psychology. Tania earned her Master’ s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle. She and her husband were foster parents to four First Nations children for five years and have two biological children of their own. Tania works primarily from the perspective of attachment theory, which focuses on bonds between parents and children. Her gift, both in the therapy room and when writing, is to translate the latest research into concrete strategies that parents can implement in everyday life with their children.

Zahra is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a registered Midwife with master's degree in business administration (Health Administration) from Canada. She currently works at Kings College Hospital London, Dubai. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in labour rooms, antenatal, and postnatal care. Since 2003, she has been helping mothers and babies. Zahra writes articles on breastfeeding and parenting and speaks on breastfeeding topics to both parents and professionals. She also lectures at national and international conferences. Zahra is passionate about making hospitals Baby-friendly.