About
Supporting early childhood services through practical guidance, quality leadership support, and sustainable systems that help teams thrive.
Our Purpose
Meet the Team Behind HGT EDU
Practical early childhood specialists partnering with services to strengthen leadership, simplify systems, build capable teams, and embed quality practice that lasts.
At Hourglass Time Education, our team brings together deep experience across early childhood leadership, compliance, operations, curriculum, quality improvement, and professional practice.
Grounded in our vision of shaping a stronger future for early childhood education, we work alongside services through practical, relationship-led support that helps leaders and teams move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident. Our mission is to elevate the profession through meaningful partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustainable quality improvement that supports children, educators, leaders, and communities.
More than consultants, we are your external quality and leadership team, bringing practical experience, thoughtful guidance, and real-world support to help quality thrive at every level of your service.
Grounded in our vision of shaping a stronger future for early childhood education, we work alongside services through practical, relationship-led support that helps leaders and teams move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident. Our mission is to elevate the profession through meaningful partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustainable quality improvement that supports children, educators, leaders, and communities.
More than consultants, we are your external quality and leadership team, bringing practical experience, thoughtful guidance, and real-world support to help quality thrive at every level of your service.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by our values:
Presence
Slowing down to lead well
(Hourglass Time)
Humility
always learning and listening
Partnership
Stronger Together
Impact
Creating meaningful change that lasts
Michelle Walsh
Founder & CEO
Shell Scott
Early Childhood Operations Leader
Katharine Pearson
Consultant & Trainer
Megan Tuohy
Consultant & Trainer
Meet
Michelle Walsh
The Early Childhood Leadership Partner Behind HGT EDU
20+
years experience
Former
Regional Manager
90+
Services Lead
Early childhood
Leadership & Teaching Specialist
Michelle Walsh is an early childhood leader, consultant, and educator with more than 20 years of experience across the education and care sector. Holding a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, alongside qualifications in business and leadership, Michelle has worked across every level of service leadership — from Early Childhood Teacher and Centre Manager through to Regional Manager leading 88 services across South Australia and Victoria.
After years of supporting services through operational pressure, staffing challenges, compliance demands, and leadership overwhelm, Michelle founded Hourglass Time Education to provide practical, relationship-led support that helps early learning services strengthen leadership, improve compliance, and build sustainable quality systems that actually work in real services.
This isn’t generic consultancy or one-off motivation. HGT EDU works alongside services to create calmer leadership, stronger teams, clearer systems, and more confident practice across every level of the organisation.
After years of supporting services through operational pressure, staffing challenges, compliance demands, and leadership overwhelm, Michelle founded Hourglass Time Education to provide practical, relationship-led support that helps early learning services strengthen leadership, improve compliance, and build sustainable quality systems that actually work in real services.
This isn’t generic consultancy or one-off motivation. HGT EDU works alongside services to create calmer leadership, stronger teams, clearer systems, and more confident practice across every level of the organisation.
Michelle widely respected across the sector for her:
- Practical operational expertise
- Strong compliance and quality knowledge
- Leadership development
- Team culture transformation
- Real-world implementation support
Michelle’s work has supported:
- Government reform initiatives
- OECD coaching and mentoring programs
- Sector-wide leadership development
- Struggling services needing operational transformation
- High-performing services wanting to sustain and strengthen quality
Her approach is practical, honest, and grounded in the belief that every team can succeed with the right support, clear systems, and leadership that is calm, intentional, and connected.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Reach Out to MichelleMeet
Shell Scott
Operations Lead & Senior Consultant, HGT EDU
20+
years experience
Operations Lead
Senior Consultant
88
Services Lead
Early childhood
Leadership Specialist
Shell Scott brings more than 20 years of leadership, operational, and early childhood sector experience to HGT EDU.
With a career spanning Area Manager, General Manager, Head of Childcare Operations, and senior leadership roles overseeing services across Australia, Shell is recognised for her practical operational expertise, strong leadership capability, and exceptional eye for detail.
Today, as HGT EDU’s Operations Lead, Shell works alongside Michelle Walsh to lead our growing team of consultants, strengthen operational systems, and help drive the strategic direction of the organisation.
She is often described as someone who can “see what others miss” — helping services strengthen systems, improve accountability, and create clearer operational structures that support both compliance and team culture.
Today, as HGT EDU’s Operations Lead, Shell works alongside Michelle Walsh to lead our growing team of consultants, strengthen operational systems, and help drive the strategic direction of the organisation.
She is often described as someone who can “see what others miss” — helping services strengthen systems, improve accountability, and create clearer operational structures that support both compliance and team culture.
Shell is widely respected across the sector for her:
- Deep compliance knowledge
- Operational and systems expertise
- Leadership development capability
- HR and workforce management processes
- Ability to identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities quickly
- Calm, practical approach to supporting services through change
Shell has extensive experience leading services through:
- Operational transformation
- Compliance improvement
- Staffing and workforce challenges
- Leadership restructuring
- Policy and systems development
- Sustainable quality improvement
Alongside her operational expertise, Shell is passionate about relationships, leadership growth, and supporting teams to feel capable, connected, and confident in their roles.
Her qualifications as a Circle of Security Facilitator further strengthen her relationship-led approach to leadership and team development.
At HGT EDU, Shell partners closely with Approved Providers, Directors, and leadership teams to help services create calmer operations, stronger systems, more confident leaders, and quality practices that are sustainable long-term.
Known for her honesty, clarity, and practical support, Shell combines high-level operational thinking with a genuine understanding of the realities services face every day.
Her qualifications as a Circle of Security Facilitator further strengthen her relationship-led approach to leadership and team development.
At HGT EDU, Shell partners closely with Approved Providers, Directors, and leadership teams to help services create calmer operations, stronger systems, more confident leaders, and quality practices that are sustainable long-term.
Known for her honesty, clarity, and practical support, Shell combines high-level operational thinking with a genuine understanding of the realities services face every day.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Reach Out to ShellMeet
Katharine Pearson
Consultant, Trainer & Inclusion Leader
17+
Years Experience
Former
Centre Director & Teacher
3
2 Counries of Education
Early Childhood Specialist
Leadership Specialist
Katharine brings more than 17 years of experience across the early childhood sector, with leadership experience spanning Educator, Lead Educator, Assistant Director, Director, and Head of Inclusion roles.
Her career has been grounded in high-quality practice, inclusive education, leadership development, and creating environments where both children and educators can genuinely thrive.
Her approach combines warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful leadership with practical implementation support that helps teams feel safe, capable, and inspired to improve practice. Services often describe Katharine as: “A gentle authority.” Known for her calm presence and reflective approach, Katharine has a unique ability to guide meaningful conversations that challenge practice while still making educators and leaders feel supported and empowered. Originally beginning her career in the UK before continuing her work in Australia, Katharine has developed a strong foundation in children’s rights, inclusion, relationship-led practice, and educational leadership.
Her career has been grounded in high-quality practice, inclusive education, leadership development, and creating environments where both children and educators can genuinely thrive.
Her approach combines warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful leadership with practical implementation support that helps teams feel safe, capable, and inspired to improve practice. Services often describe Katharine as: “A gentle authority.” Known for her calm presence and reflective approach, Katharine has a unique ability to guide meaningful conversations that challenge practice while still making educators and leaders feel supported and empowered. Originally beginning her career in the UK before continuing her work in Australia, Katharine has developed a strong foundation in children’s rights, inclusion, relationship-led practice, and educational leadership.
Michelle widely respected across the sector for her:
- Practical operational expertise
- Strong compliance and quality knowledge
- Leadership development
- Team culture transformation
- Real-world implementation support
Michelle’s work has supported:
- Government reform initiatives
- OECD coaching and mentoring programs
- Sector-wide leadership development
- Struggling services needing operational transformation
- High-performing services wanting to sustain and strengthen quality
Her approach is practical, honest, and grounded in the belief that every team can succeed with the right support, clear systems, and leadership that is calm, intentional, and connected.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Reach Out to KatharineMeet
Megan Tuohy
Consultant, Trainer & Practice Mentor
15+
Years Experience
Former
Centre Director
5
Services Lead
Early childhood Specialist
leadership specialist
Megan brings more than 15 years of experience across the early childhood education and care sector, with leadership experience spanning Educator, Assistant Director, Director, and educational leadership roles within services.
Having spent the majority of her career working directly alongside teams in early learning environments, Megan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong cultures, support educator growth, and create environments where both children and educators can thrive. Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Having spent the majority of her career working directly alongside teams in early learning environments, Megan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong cultures, support educator growth, and create environments where both children and educators can thrive. Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Megan is especially passionate about working with babies and toddlers and supporting teams to deepen their understanding of high-quality curriculum, relationships, and environments for these age groups.
Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Megan is highly valued within HGT EDU for her:
- Open-minded and reflective approach
- Calm, kind leadership style
- Thoughtful guidance and support
- Ability to gently challenge thinking
- Genuine care for educators, children, and teams
She loves helping educators explore:
- Preschool Boost training, service visits and mentoring
- Educational leadership mentoring
- Curriculum and pedagogy support
- Team culture and leadership development
- PowerQIPing™ and quality improvement support
- Practice guidance for babies and toddler programs
Megan believes that the earliest years are some of the most significant in a child’s development and that educators play an incredibly important role in shaping secure relationships, confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing.
Known for leading with kindness and intention, Megan is passionate about helping educators feel capable, confident, and empowered within their roles.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when teams feel supported, reflective, and connected, quality practice becomes more meaningful, sustainable, and impactful for children and families alike.
Known for leading with kindness and intention, Megan is passionate about helping educators feel capable, confident, and empowered within their roles.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when teams feel supported, reflective, and connected, quality practice becomes more meaningful, sustainable, and impactful for children and families alike.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Reach Out to MeganMichelle Walsh
Founder & CEO
Meet
Michelle Walsh
The Early Childhood Leadership Partner Behind HGT EDU
20+
years experience
Former
Regional Manager
88
Services Lead
Early childhood
leadership specialist
Michelle Walsh is an early childhood leader, consultant, and educator with more than 20 years of experience across the education and care sector. Holding a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, alongside qualifications in business and leadership, Michelle has worked across every level of service leadership — from Early Childhood Teacher and Centre Manager through to Regional Manager leading 88 services across South Australia and Victoria.
After years of supporting services through operational pressure, staffing challenges, compliance demands, and leadership overwhelm, Michelle founded Hourglass Time Education to provide practical, relationship-led support that helps early learning services strengthen leadership, improve compliance, and build sustainable quality systems that actually work in real services.
This isn’t generic consultancy or one-off motivation. HGT EDU works alongside services to create calmer leadership, stronger teams, clearer systems, and more confident practice across every level of the organisation.
After years of supporting services through operational pressure, staffing challenges, compliance demands, and leadership overwhelm, Michelle founded Hourglass Time Education to provide practical, relationship-led support that helps early learning services strengthen leadership, improve compliance, and build sustainable quality systems that actually work in real services.
This isn’t generic consultancy or one-off motivation. HGT EDU works alongside services to create calmer leadership, stronger teams, clearer systems, and more confident practice across every level of the organisation.
Michelle widely respected across the sector for her:
- practical operational expertise
- strong compliance and quality knowledge
- leadership development
- team culture transformation
- real-world implementation support
Michelle’s work has supported:
- government reform initiatives
- OECD coaching and mentoring programs
- sector-wide leadership development
- struggling services needing operational transformation
- high-performing services wanting to sustain and strengthen quality
Her approach is practical, honest, and grounded in the belief that every team can succeed with the right support, clear systems, and leadership that is calm, intentional, and connected.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Michelle is passionate about helping leaders move from overwhelmed and reactive to calm, capable, and confident — because when leadership grows, outcomes for children, teams, and services grow too.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Shell Scott
Early Childhood Operations Leader
Meet
Shell Scott
Operations Lead & Senior Consultant, HGT EDU
20+
years experience
Operations Lead &
Senior Consultant
88
Services Lead
Early childhood
leadership specialist
Shell Scott brings more than 20 years of leadership, operational, and early childhood sector experience to HGT EDU.
With a career spanning Area Manager, General Manager, Head of Childcare Operations, and senior leadership roles overseeing services across Australia, Shell is recognised for her practical operational expertise, strong leadership capability, and exceptional eye for detail.
Today, as HGT EDU’s Operations Lead, Shell works alongside Michelle Walsh to lead our growing team of consultants, strengthen operational systems, and help drive the strategic direction of the organisation.
She is often described as someone who can “see what others miss” — helping services strengthen systems, improve accountability, and create clearer operational structures that support both compliance and team culture.
Today, as HGT EDU’s Operations Lead, Shell works alongside Michelle Walsh to lead our growing team of consultants, strengthen operational systems, and help drive the strategic direction of the organisation.
She is often described as someone who can “see what others miss” — helping services strengthen systems, improve accountability, and create clearer operational structures that support both compliance and team culture.
Shell is widely respected across the sector for her:
- Deep compliance knowledge
- Operational and systems expertise
- Leadership development capability
- HR and workforce management processes
- Ability to identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities quickly
- Calm, practical approach to supporting services through change
Shell has extensive experience leading services through:
- operational transformation
- compliance improvement
- staffing and workforce challenges
- leadership restructuring
- policy and systems development
- sustainable quality improvement
Alongside her operational expertise, Shell is passionate about relationships, leadership growth, and supporting teams to feel capable, connected, and confident in their roles.
Her qualifications as a Circle of Security Facilitator further strengthen her relationship-led approach to leadership and team development.
At HGT EDU, Shell partners closely with Approved Providers, Directors, and leadership teams to help services create calmer operations, stronger systems, more confident leaders, and quality practices that are sustainable long-term.
Known for her honesty, clarity, and practical support, Shell combines high-level operational thinking with a genuine understanding of the realities services face every day.
Her qualifications as a Circle of Security Facilitator further strengthen her relationship-led approach to leadership and team development.
At HGT EDU, Shell partners closely with Approved Providers, Directors, and leadership teams to help services create calmer operations, stronger systems, more confident leaders, and quality practices that are sustainable long-term.
Known for her honesty, clarity, and practical support, Shell combines high-level operational thinking with a genuine understanding of the realities services face every day.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Katharine Pearson
Consultant & Trainer
Meet
Katharine Pearson
Consultant, Trainer & Inclusion Leader
20+
years experience
Former
Regional Manager
88
Services Lead
Early childhood
leadership specialist
Katharine brings more than 17 years of experience across the early childhood sector, with leadership experience spanning Educator, Lead Educator, Assistant Director, Director, and Head of Inclusion roles.
Her career has been grounded in high-quality practice, inclusive education, leadership development, and creating environments where both children and educators can genuinely thrive.
Her approach combines warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful leadership with practical implementation support that helps teams feel safe, capable, and inspired to improve practice. Services often describe Katharine as: “A gentle authority.” Known for her calm presence and reflective approach, Katharine has a unique ability to guide meaningful conversations that challenge practice while still making educators and leaders feel supported and empowered. Originally beginning her career in the UK before continuing her work in Australia, Katharine has developed a strong foundation in children’s rights, inclusion, relationship-led practice, and educational leadership.
Her career has been grounded in high-quality practice, inclusive education, leadership development, and creating environments where both children and educators can genuinely thrive.
Her approach combines warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful leadership with practical implementation support that helps teams feel safe, capable, and inspired to improve practice. Services often describe Katharine as: “A gentle authority.” Known for her calm presence and reflective approach, Katharine has a unique ability to guide meaningful conversations that challenge practice while still making educators and leaders feel supported and empowered. Originally beginning her career in the UK before continuing her work in Australia, Katharine has developed a strong foundation in children’s rights, inclusion, relationship-led practice, and educational leadership.
Katharine is deeply passionate about:
- educational leadership
- inclusive practice
- curriculum and pedagogy
- reflective practice
- service culture
- supporting educators to grow with confidence
At HGT EDU, Katharine supports services through:
- Preschool Boost training, coaching and mentoring
- Educational leadership mentoring
- Curriculum and pedagogy support
- Inclusion and practice guidance
- Team reflection and professional growth
- Environment design and intention
Katharine is especially passionate about helping educators reconnect with curiosity, creativity, awe, and wonder within early learning environments. She believes that quality practice grows when leaders and teams feel reflective, connected, and supported themselves.
Within the HGT EDU team, Katharine is highly valued for her collaborative mindset, thoughtful insights, and ability to continually bring fresh ideas and perspectives that strengthen both our team and the services we support.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when leaders lead with intention, teams feel supported, and educators remain curious, incredible outcomes for children naturally follow.
Within the HGT EDU team, Katharine is highly valued for her collaborative mindset, thoughtful insights, and ability to continually bring fresh ideas and perspectives that strengthen both our team and the services we support.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when leaders lead with intention, teams feel supported, and educators remain curious, incredible outcomes for children naturally follow.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Megan Tuohy
Consultant & Trainer
Meet
Megan Tuohy
Consultant & Practice Mentor
20+
years experience
Former
Regional Manager
88
Services Lead
Early childhood
leadership specialist
Megan brings more than 15 years of experience across the early childhood education and care sector, with leadership experience spanning Educator, Assistant Director, Director, and educational leadership roles within services.
Having spent the majority of her career working directly alongside teams in early learning environments, Megan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong cultures, support educator growth, and create environments where both children and educators can thrive. Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Having spent the majority of her career working directly alongside teams in early learning environments, Megan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build strong cultures, support educator growth, and create environments where both children and educators can thrive. Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Megan is especially passionate about working with babies and toddlers and supporting teams to deepen their understanding of high-quality curriculum, relationships, and environments for these age groups.
Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Her approach helps educators feel safe to reflect, grow, and strengthen practice without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
Megan is highly valued within HGT EDU for her:
- open-minded and reflective approach
- calm, kind leadership style
- thoughtful guidance and support
- ability to gently challenge thinking
- genuine care for educators, children, and teams
She loves helping educators explore:
- Preschool Boost training, service visits and mentoring
- Educational leadership mentoring
- Curriculum and pedagogy support
- Team culture and leadership development
- PowerQIPing™ and quality improvement support
- Practice guidance for babies and toddler programs
Megan believes that the earliest years are some of the most significant in a child’s development and that educators play an incredibly important role in shaping secure relationships, confidence, curiosity, and wellbeing.
Known for leading with kindness and intention, Megan is passionate about helping educators feel capable, confident, and empowered within their roles.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when teams feel supported, reflective, and connected, quality practice becomes more meaningful, sustainable, and impactful for children and families alike.
Known for leading with kindness and intention, Megan is passionate about helping educators feel capable, confident, and empowered within their roles.
Her work is grounded in the belief that when teams feel supported, reflective, and connected, quality practice becomes more meaningful, sustainable, and impactful for children and families alike.
Want support or Guidance for your service?
Let’s Build Calm, Confident & Capable Services — Together
Whether you need one-off support or an ongoing partnership, we’re here to help.
