Child care professionals share a commitment to improving society by creating dynamic and nurturing care environments for Australia's youngest learners.
This month we are proud to introduce you to Shiralee Nicholls from Pelicans Child Care Centre in Atherton. Shiralee's manager Jess Whykes says Shiralee is a shining star in the child care sector who has built a community in her centre through her genuine warmth and support towards families and staff.
"Shiralee genuinely touches the hearts of not only each child but staff member, family member and the community. She is one of those old fashioned people in child care, one in which you just want to clone!" says Jess.
Shiralee Nicholls from Pelicans Child Care Centre in Atherton QLD
This month we are proud to introduce you to Shiralee Nicholls from Pelicans Child Care Centre in Atherton. Shiralee's manager Jess Whykes says Shiralee is a shining star in the child care sector who has built a community in her centre through her genuine warmth and support towards families and staff.
"Shiralee genuinely touches the hearts of not only each child but staff member, family member and the community. She is one of those old fashioned people in child care, one in which you just want to clone!" says Jess.
C4K: What is your name?
SN: My name is Shiralee June Nicholls and I am 52 years old.
C4K: What is your professional background and career experience?
SN: I left school after Grade 10 in 1974 and with no clear direction on what I wanted to do for a career I spent the next 15 years doing a variety of things including secretarial work, service station attendant, banana worker, bar attendant and golf club manager.
In this period I also got married (and divorced) and continued my life with my two beautiful children. I loved being a mum.
I started in child care in 1990 working 15 hours a week as a special needs worker caring for a child who needed one-on-one assistance.
This introduction to child care encouraged me to commence my Certificate III studies and I worked in child care for about five years and as much as I was enjoying the experience I had to put it on hold due to income requirements.
Once my children had left home I returned to the industry working at a small town child care centre and completed my Certificate III in Children's Services. I have stayed in the industry since then continuing my studying to complete my Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
The company I worked for promoted me to Group Leader at another centre, Malanda, as they needed more staff there with qualifications. That was in the beautiful Atherton Tablelands and that was where I settled and bought a house, I and am still there.
After three years that child care centre was sold but I was promoted to Director with the company at another nearby centre with the task of preparing it for accreditation. Always a good test as a Director but we all pulled together and succeeded.
I was at this centre for three years and I trained staff and supported an Assistant Director to step up. It was also there that I met my sole mate who understands and supports my commitment to loving and caring for children.
I was then promoted to North Queensland Regional Manager, supported by a National Manager, responsible for five centres between Port Douglas and Ayr.
This experience was great for my personal and professional development and I met some outstanding Directors, Group Leaders and Assistants who inspired me and my love for child care. But I was travelling most of my week and living in motels and out of a suitcase so to speak and I missed being home.
That was how, two and a half years ago, I came to my present position as Director at Pelicans in Atherton, a 75 place modern centre and only 20 minutes from home. This was a dream come true.
Atherton is a lovely warm country town with wonderful children and families and I find I can't help myself from getting our centre involved in the community through fundraisers, fairs and festivals.
C4K: What attracted you to a career in child care?
SN: My first day in child care I was so overwhelmed by what I could offer by simply being me. It felt right.
I love the laughter of children and the excitement they show when they are seeing and experiencing something new or special for the first time and their sense of wonder and imagination.
They are like little angels who just need a safe, caring and secure environment to play and learn about life. I revel in being part of their world and able to provide those essentials on their early life's path.
I believe that what we do and how we apply ourselves as child carers, at such an early stage of their development is what will go well towards their sense of self confidence and worth in their adult lives. To be then passed on as a natural course of things.
C4K: What does a normal day look like for you?
SN: The phone calls often start at home anytime from 7:00 am, requiring re-scheduling of staff. That's usually done before I get to work at 8:00 but availability of staff is always a need.
First up I make a point of greeting and communicating with the children, parents, families and staff this gives me a complete start to my day.
Throughout the day I am mentoring and supporting staff, taking new enrolments, orientating new children and families. Then of course the office duties are constant filing, documentation, answering the phone, following up on e-mails, processing payments etc.
I make a point of taking time getting to know the children and identifying and being part of their educational needs.
And of course keeping the ship running smoothly: A 75 place centre with 15 staff is always challenging.
C4K: What are some of the advantages of working in the child care sector?
SN: Knowing that we are such an important part of children's daily learning experience and emotional development and in setting them up on their pathway to adulthood. I would like to think that many of our children will grow up with fond memories of their time with us.
Experiencing a child's positive response to your involvement in their life and showing it with their hugs and affection. Seeing the joy in their hearts and faces when you have been a part of their imagination and creativity.
To be so entrusted by the parents to take care of their children is always a source of pride and satisfaction and to be praised by those parents for your efforts.
C4K: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the child care sector?
SN: Supporting and maintaining staffing responsibilities and requirements. While there are many who love working with young children there are many who shy away from the industry because of the relatively low income level.
I would like to see our roles as early childhood educators more officially recognised as an integral and essential part of a child's development. Our levels of professionalism, responsibility and duty of care are no less than that of educators in the mainstream education system and I would like to see our profession brought into line with theirs. I feel this would generate a greater following and sense of career commitment within our industry.
Also the accreditation requirements these days is understandably intense with a greater focus on duty of care, something anyone working in the industry is to be totally conversant with and aware of in their daily activities. This requires constant vigilance on my part and there is no allowance for complacency.
C4K: How has your place of work changed to deal with these challenges?
SN: As a director I have an open door policy and will find time for staff and families to support concerns or needs.
Counselling and mentoring staff is an essential part of my job and I have incorporated morale boosting and bonding features into our routine such as regular workshops, 'no holds barred' meetings and social events.
If we have happy staff we have happy children and a happy work environment which all serve towards keeping staff within the industry.
I am also often called upon to assist and counsel parents with their financial requirements.
Policies and procedures are our guidelines and with the help of upper management support, staff education through workshops, training and positive communication as a team is ongoing.
C4K: How does the industry need to change to adapt to these challenges?
SN: I believe that the child care industry has improved over the past 20 years. Each day in the life of child care educator is a challenge with children's and family needs, staff are under a lot of pressure to achieve high quality standards and being professionally recognised would be a good step towards addressing the burdens of both parents and child care providers.
I feel that early childhood education, as our industry provides, should be accepted and recognised as an essential part of any child's development in our modern society and a greater level of government recognition and support would be a good change.
We are all working towards a better future for our children. That is what is important.
C4K: What advice would you offer for someone thinking about a career or looking for a promotion in child care?
SN: A genuine love for children should be the basis of all child care providers. Constantly focus on developing your skills by learning through your interaction with the children and through formal studies.
If you apply yourself well to the child's developmental and emotional needs you will be recognised and you will progress within the industry. But always remember, we are here for the child and the child comes first.
If you or someone you know deserves to be featured in this section drop us a line at editor@careforkids.com.au.Each child care person we profile will receive a selection of DVD's for their service courtesy of ABC Kids and Roadshow Entertainment.
Courtesy of ABC Kids and Roadshow Entertainment.
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