Child care professionals share a commitment to improving society by creating dynamic and nurturing care environments for Australia's youngest learners.
Read this month's Child Care People in the spotlight Beverley Benson and Co-ordinator Orama St, Child Care - Deer Park, Victoria.
Beverley Benson
Co-ordinator - Orama Street Child Care
Deer Park, Victoria
C4K: What is your professional background and career experience?
BB: I have worked at Orama St, Child Care (Deer Park, Victoria) a non-profit community based centre for 30 years next April. I started in the rooms as an assistant, went on to complete a certificate of child care early in my career, then onto completing my Diploma in the last 10 years.
I have been coordinator at the centre for 22 years. Our centre provides care for 93 children each day three months to five years. We also provide before and after school care for up to 15 children daily. Working as an assistant through to becoming coordinator gave me a great understanding of the system, also studying while working at the same time gave me valuable training and understanding.
C4K: What attracted you to a career in child care?
BB: I have always been very interested in working with children, to see them develop through play and grow into their own individual little people. Hopefully I have been able to support some families through trying times in their lives with extra support available to them out in our community.
Children add so much enjoyment to our lives with their own special ways.
C4K: What does a ‘normal' day look like for you?
BB: Every day meets with new challenges with children and their families and meeting their needs. I assist staff, as required, with accommodating the children's developmental needs and learning through our programs. We aim to give them the best opportunities and care that they require with an enjoyable experience. I also work to assist staff with own personal development.
C4K: What are some of the advantages of working in the child care sector?
BB: It keeps you on the go at all times, you need to keep up with the last trends in child care and be prepared to update thinking and training at all times.
C4K: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the child care sector?
BB: Staying in touch with the latest information on fees, regulations and the accreditation system is a big issue. Also working with children who require special assistance with learning can be a challenge. Some children also require special bonding with other children and staff due to their family backgrounds.
C4K: How has your place of work changed to deal with these challenges?
BB: Our centre has changed to meet the needs of some of the culture requirements of our families. We have also employed staff of different cultural backgrounds and ages to enhance our team skills.
C4K: How does the industry need to change to adapt to these challenges?
BB: The industry needs to provide more training for all staff to update their skills on all levels and topics.
C4K: What advice would you offer someone thinking about a career or looking for a promotion in child care?
BB: Try to get some work experience in different types of centres to see what suits your requirements the best. Traineeships are a great way to study while gaining experience on the job. It is hard going but can be very helpful as you receive good feedback and someone to listen when you need help or a sounding board. You should also keep updating your skills to gain the level of employment you would like.
C4K: Final words?
BB: It is great when you have good staff members that work as a team assisting each other through the busy hard times. All the staff at our centre treat each other with respect regardless of age or culture. It is important to remember that our work is very important to all the children in our care.
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