Dr Gerardine Neylon is a political scientist and lecturer at the Graduate School of Education (GSE), holding the position of Course Coordinator for the Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood Education).
Gerardine lectures in both Masters of Teaching for Pre-service teachers and in the Masters of Education for educators and other professionals who work outside of school classroom settings.
Gerardine has lectured in both policy and pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care. Gerardine’s research involves measuring quality in services catering for children before they attend formal school. Gerardine was involved in qualitative research listening to the voice of Early Childhood Education and Care workforce. Her research interest is inspired by a long involvement in the development of services for children from 0- 5 years in both urban and rural settings.
Keen to advance the Continued Professional Development (CPD) of those who work with young children she has conducted research in Toddler rooms in Western Australia using the Early Years Learning Framework.
Prior to moving to Australia Gerardine’s research has taken her to visit Early Childhood Education and Care services in the Nordic countries and in Reggio Emilia in North Italy. Gerardine has led the adjustment of UWA’s Master of Teaching Early Childhood to focus on training educators how to teach children during the critical years between birth and three years.
Gerardine is an early childhood manager and policy maker turned educator, having a Masters in in Public Policy & Administration (Honours) (University of Limerick, Ireland) and a Master’s degree in Child Protection & Welfare (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), a B.Sc. in Mutual Business Management (University College Cork, Ireland), a Certificate in Continuing Professional Development – Assessors Training in Early Years Care and Education (Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland) and a Diploma in Pre-school Care (Cathal Brua St, Dublin Ireland), she obtained her Doctorate of Philosophy PhD at the University of Limerick Ireland.

Gerardine is the Course Coordinator for the Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood) at the Graduate School of Education. 

Gerardine coordinates the new Minor from the Graduate School of Education MNR-EDUCN: Learning for the Professions. This also involves coordinating two broadening units EDUC1102 Learning Effectively: Improving your Learning and Teaching. She is currently developing a new unit EDUC2205 International Learning for the Professions.

Gerardine has led the adjustment of UWA’s Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) to focus on training educators on how to teach children during the critical years between birth and three. The adjusted Early Childhood course was subsequently awarded approval by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

Gerardine represents the University of Western Australia on the course advisory committee to the Montessori Institute.  is an accredited Higher Education provider and Registered Charity and has been delivering Montessori qualifications nationally for over thirty years. The Course Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board of Management and consists of industry experts, including Academics from universities and principals of schools. The role of the committee is to advise the Institute on all matters pertaining to students and courses, including course structure and delivery, assessment, plagiarism, student attrition and completion and ensuring work-ready graduates. This advice forms part of the Institutes Continuous Improvement Plan, which is acted upon and subsequently reported back to the Board and the Associations members and to our regulators TEQSA and ACECQA during the re-registration process. TEQSA also requires a report on the composition of committee. The Course Advisory Committee is fundamental to the ongoing success of the Montessori Institute and the continued accreditation of our courses. 

Gerardine represents the University of Western Australia as a member of the Education sub-committee of The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health Ltd (AAIMHI) is a not-for-profit organisation of professionals from a range of disciplines including health, education and welfare dedicated to the field of infant mental health.

AAIMHI’s primary focus is to draw attention to the importance of the healthy social and emotional development of infants (0 to 3 years) in Australia. This is achieved by assisting families, professionals and communities to build nurturing and strong relationships with their children, and to be aware of the causes and signs of mental, physical and emotional stress in infants.  

2012 –2013 St. Nicholas Montessori College, Ireland (SNMCI) Adelaide St. Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Specialist Early Childhood Education and Care Programme Review Consultant
Programmatic review of Montessori BA (Hons) in Montessori Education and Higher the Diploma. Worked collaboratively on curriculum design.

2007 –2009 National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland - Mid-Western Access Co-ordinator
In collaboration with three institutional partners, successfully established an outreach Access training centre as part of a Strategic Innovation Funded (SIF) project to target disadvantage. Annually presented students results for progression to undergraduate degrees to the academic council of University of Ireland Galway and NUIG Access Manager.

1981 – 2004 Clarecare, Harmony Row, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland Pre-School Manager
Developed, managed and advised 26 Early Childhood Education and Care services.
Developed policy and procedures relating to employment and continued professional development for staff.
Represented Co. Clare on the National Committee of the Irish Preschool Playgroups Association. As Chairperson of the education sub-committee developed the ‘Playgroup Introductory Course for Playgroup leaders’ (1984).

2019 – Semester 1
Unit coordination
EDUC 5520 The Artistic and Expressive Child
EDUC 1102 Learning Effectively: Improving Your Learning and Teaching (270 Students Broadening unit)
Lectured and Tutor
EDUC 5529 Child Development and Pedagogy 

Semester 2
Unit Coordination

EDUC 5506 Early Childhood Learning Environments
EDUC 5689 Physical Development, Movement and Health.

Condensed Unit
EDUC 5523 Contemporary Reforms in Early Childhood Education and Care