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Miss Kylie Nice

Lecturer, Early Childhood Education

Contact

Campus

Mt Helen Campus

Biography

Dr Kylie Nice is an early childhood lecturer in the Institute of Education, Arts and Community at Federation University Australia, where she coordinates the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) program. She brings extensive experience across the early childhood education and care profession, higher education, and TAFE sectors. Her areas of expertise include Nature Pedagogy, Immersive Nature Play Programs, support for neophyte practitioners, and rural and remote children’s services. 

Kylie’s interdisciplinary research focuses on education and supporting students with diverse learning needs. Her key interests include nature pedagogy, play and learning; early childhood leadership, advocacy and teacher voice; and teaching diverse learners through a range of inclusive teaching approaches. 

Before entering higher education, Kylie taught in Australian kindergartens and early learning settings, later moving into TAFE and University teaching. Before joining IEAC, she worked in the Early Childhood Department of TAFE at the Wimmera Campus of Federation University Australia. She completed her PhD at Federation University Australia in 2025. 

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More about Kylie

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Federation University Australia 
  • Master of Education, University of Ballarat  
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, University of Melbourne  
  • Diploma of Sustainability, University of Ballarat  
  • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, University of Ballarat  
  • Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Education), University of Ballarat  
  • Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, University of Ballarat  
  • Workplace Assessor (Train the Trainer), University of Ballarat  
  • Associate Diploma of Social Science, Pre-school Mothercraft Nurse (Child Care)  

Areas of interest

  • Child, teacher and educator wellbeing in early childhood settings through relationship-focused and sustainable pedagogies 
  • Learning and teaching in teacher education, including the connection between theory and practice 
  • Early childhood teacher preparation and professional development 
  • Leadership and management in children’s services, including rural early childhood education and care 
  • Play as curriculum, environmental sustainability, and research in early childhood education and pedagogy 

Areas of expertise

Kylie is strongly committed to understanding regional communities, their needs, and equity considerations across all facets of education. Her extensive experience in early childhood education spans leadership, classroom teaching, and advocacy for the profession. She is dedicated to recognising that every child’s learning journey is unique and requires responsive teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches that best support diverse learning experiences and outcomes. 

Grants

  • Falloon, G., Tran, D., Lord, A., Nice, K. & Ma, Y. 2025-2026. The Ararat Best Start Program PLD for Service Leaders ($130,000) 
  • Nice, K., Vagg, V., & McLachlan, C. 2022-2023. Early Childhood Teachers Retention Project-City of Ballarat ($25,000) 

  • Play as pedagogy 
  • Child development 
  • Education for sustainability in early childhood education 
  • Early childhood teacher education 
  • Early childhood policy and practice 
  • Guidance for neophyte practitioners 

Specialist roles

  • Deputy editor, Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 

Professional association memberships

  • Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies (AGECS) 
  • Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) 
  • Autism Victoria 
  • Child Mind Institute 
  • Early Childhood Australia (ECA) 
  • Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) 
  • International Nature Pedagogues 
  • Sustainability Interest Group (Australia) 
  • Transnational Dialogues in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability Research (TND) 
  • Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) 

  • Claughton, A., Roberton, D., Weuffen, S., & Nice, K. (2021). ‘Parents who teach: Exploring a unique experience and expertise’. Social Justice, Inclusion and Diversity Conventicle.  
  • Lord, A., Burns, J., Nice, K. & Warden, C. 2016, ' Creating capacity to teach with nature to inspire new professionals', at Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2016, Federation University, Ballarat. 

Centre for Regional Education Research and Development (CRERD)

Kylie is part of the Centre for Regional Education Research and Development (CRERD), a Victorian‑first research centre working to improve education outcomes for regional and rural communities. 

Assessment, Impact and Reflection in Teacher Education (AIRTE) 

Kylie is part of the Assessment, Impact and Reflection in Teacher Education (AIRTE) research group, which explores how assessment supports learning and teaching in teacher education.

Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Research

Kylie is part of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health research group, which brings together researchers and clinicians to improve mental health outcomes from preconception through to early parenting.

Social Justice, Inclusion and Diversity in Education (SJIDE)

Kylie is part of the Social Justice, Inclusion and Diversity in Education (SJIDE) research group, which is focussed on equity, diversity, inclusion, opportunity, regionality and wellbeing in formal and non-formal educational settings.
  • Publications

Parent–Teachers: Experiences of Supporting our Children with Dis/ability in Schools