From Courtroom to Classroom: How Woodlands is Shaping Confident Kids

When you first meet Hamish Rotstein, founder of Woodlands Early Childhood Education Centre in Australia, you might expect to hear stories from the courtroom. After all, Hamish has been a highly successful lawyer for many years, leading the thriving law firm, Rotsteins.

But the real story — the one that shaped his life and now shapes the lives of hundreds of children — began much earlier.

A Childhood That Shaped a Calling

Hamish grew up in a home marked by frequent domestic violence.

In those moments, it was his mother who protected and cared for the children. She was also a schoolteacher — a woman who not only kept her family safe but also instilled in Hamish the transformative power of education.

As a young boy, Hamish resolved to be someone who could protect people like his mother. This led him to a career in Law, where he thrived. Yet, the values his mother had lived by — nurturing, educating, and believing in the potential of every child — never left him.

An Unexpected Proposal

One day, a client approached Hamish with an unusual idea: starting a childcare centre.

For most people, this might have been a curious diversion from Law. But for Hamish, it struck a deep chord. He had seen first-hand how important those formative early years were. He also knew that his mother’s passion for education had left a lasting imprint on him.

The more he considered it, the more he realised the profound potential of early childhood education — not just as a service for working parents, but as an environment where children could gain confidence, build resilience, and discover their full potential.

Creating a Space for Real-World Learning

In today’s world, children grow up surrounded by screens and constant digital distractions. Hamish wanted Woodlands to offer something radically different — a place where learning happens in the real world.

Here, children climb, explore, create, and take measured risks. They try yoga and meditation to develop focus and self-awareness. They explore robotics, science, and cooking. They experiment with natural materials and invent their own games.

Every experience at Woodlands is designed to spark curiosity, encourage independence, and expand each child’s view of what’s possible.

A Curriculum that Sees Every Child

The Woodlands team — including dedicated educators like Sudhamayi Nayak — approaches education as a deeply personal journey.

“It’s about creating an environment that feels like family,” Sudhamayi explains. “We design the curriculum around the overall development of each child, celebrating their unique strengths and differences.”

Parents feel this difference too. Emma, whose children attend Woodlands, describes it as “a true community where children and parents are welcomed, supported, and inspired every day.”

Bringing Global Impact into the Classroom

Hamish first connected with B1G1 through his Law firm. But when Woodlands came to life, he saw an even greater opportunity: to weave the spirit of giving directly into the fabric of early childhood education.

Through B1G1, every enrollment and key moment in the Woodlands experience creates a positive impact somewhere else in the world. Children begin to see that the good they do in their own community can also help children in faraway places go to school, access clean water, or enjoy a nourishing meal.

This connection has become part of the learning journey at Woodlands — helping young people understand empathy, kindness, and global citizenship from their earliest years.

Impact So Far — And Growing

Together, Woodlands and B1G1 have already created thousands of impacts, including providing education to children in need, supporting nutritional programs for vulnerable children and giving clean water to families around the world.

So far, they have created 43,448 impacts in the world with B1G1.

And this is just the beginning. Hamish and the Woodlands team are working on integrating even more impact moments into the curriculum and enrolment process, making giving a natural part of every child’s day.

“Inspiration is so important today. Young minds see no boundaries.
Isn’t it amazing that kids can see how their actions are benefitting other children in the world.” - Hamish Rotstein

A Vision for the Future

From the courtroom to the classroom, Hamish’s journey is proof that one person’s story can inspire change for generations.

By combining a nurturing, adventurous learning environment with a commitment to global impact, Woodlands is not just preparing children for school — it’s preparing them for life.

And in doing so, they’re showing that the seeds we plant in the earliest years can grow into a better, more connected world.

Learn more about how businesses like Woodlands are transforming lives through B1G1 https://b1g1.com/