Awesome teachers: Caroline Hjorth

Caroline Hjorth is in her element working with young children at Gate Pa Preschool and Childcare Centre. Photo/George Novak

Ms Hjorth, a teacher at Gate Pa Preschool and Childcare Centre, was nominated for the Awesome Teachers series by her colleague Amy Marsh who said she had never come across such a passionate, dedicated and inspiring teacher.

Arriving at the preschool, Ms Hjorth is sitting on a rug playing with two babies.

One of the babies on the floor has a sight impairment and gets distressed around strangers.

Ms Hjorth gently rubs her tummy to calm her down then picks her up and sings her songs, soon getting a grin to break out on her chubby face.

"I got drawn to looking after babies because we have a real responsibility in early childhood to make sure they are cared for properly," Ms Hjorth said.

"I can magically put a few of them to sleep ... I love watching them grow and develop."

It's not just the babies that Ms Hjorth enjoys being with. As she walks around the large home-like centre, other children come up to her and show her what they have been doing, engaging in childlike small talk with her.

Ms Hjorth has been in early childhood for 30 years and has no intention of leaving anytime soon.

"I see myself coming in on my Zimmer frame. As long as I'm still passionate and having fun every day and I'm physically fit enough to be lifting children I will still be here."

With children coming in from such a young age, some as young as six weeks old, Ms Hjorth forms a close bond with many and is often in tears when one moves on.

"There are some children you get very close to but as long as you know they are moving somewhere positive then it's okay. We often keep in touch with the parents on Facebook and things like that and if they come back this way, sometimes they come and catch up with us which is nice."

Ms Hjorth also enjoyed working with the older children. "They can be really cheeky. I enjoy being with them because they have a really good sense of humour and keep you young."