Communication is crucial

By Sarah Craig, Scaliiwags Children's Centre

Growing up in a large family there were always young children around and I loved being around them.

It was something I knew from an early age I was meant to work and care for children. Now, almost 20 years later, I'm a director of an early childhood education and care centre.

I've seen lots of changes and there is more to early childhood education than looking after kids. And something I never thought I'd feel more passionate about.

I completed my certificate lll in early childhood when finishing school and shortly after moved to Canberra. As an assistant educator I grew in confidence and was given the opportunity to complete my diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Being a senior educator and mentor to educators around me has supported me to grow as a leader. I've been fortunate and privileged to be a part of a number of early childhood centres within Canberra and north Queensland in a variety of roles over the years, but more recently I was the assistant director for almost four years, and this is where i was given the opportunity to pursue my career an take the step closer to being a director.

Now I'm here, the director of Scaliiwags Children's Centre, the sky is my limit and I look forward to building connections with the community and allowing the children to explore and learn from the community around them.

Scaliiwags is celebrating 15 years of operation this year, so it's a very exciting time for families, children and educators past and present who have been associated with the centre.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends while travelling to the coast and north Queensland. I don't particularly have a green thumb, but I'm working on it and the children at Scaliiwags are constantly reminding me that we need to water the plants.

In recent years I have participated in a number of fundraising events, including Buy a Beanie for Brain Cancer, conducted morning and afternoon teas to fundraise for ovarian and prostate cancer. I would like to continue this within the local and surrounding community.

My tips for families looking at, or currently in one, is to take the time when choosing the centre for your child and family. I'm a true believer that when families walk into a centre they need to feel welcomed and supported. Ask as many questions as you need to. There is never a wrong or right question. After all, you are trusting us as educators to care and nurture your children.

The first few conversations I have with the families and children are the foundation of building and maintaining trusting and respectful relationships. Communication with the families is crucial and something that plays an important role in daily practices. We are here to support and guide the families and children to ensure that the learning journey is a positive experience.

"The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn" - Maria Montessori.

ABOUT THE CENTRE

Scaliiwags Children's Centre provides quality care and education for all children enrolled at the centre.

Educators are nurturing, caring, supporting and approachable to all families and children in our care. Your children are the most important people in your lives and we are here to support you and provide an environment and routine that is also reflective of what happens at home so the children are around familiarity.

Educators provide a variety of open-ended resources within and indoor and outdoor environment for a positive and effective outcome for all children to actively engage with their peers and educators. These experiences provide the children opportunities to rationalise, experiment, practise and explore all areas of our curriculum to enhance their holistic development. In doing so it encourages them to develop a positive sense of self, builds on self-help skills and their importance in the community in which they belong.

Children learn through play. And through play, they will learn a number of skills that they will carry for the rest of their lives. Let's allow children to be children, let them explore, let them take risks and make choices to further extend and excite their ongoing interests, learning and development.