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 Person in the spotlight Adam Scassa OOSH Co-ordinator at Balmain East After School Care.
Interview with Adam Scassa OOSH Co-ordinator at Balmain East After School Care
C4K: What is your name and how old are you?
AS: Adam Michael Scassa. The children also call me Adamo and sometimes 'Barry'. Don't ask! The children are primary school age from 5-12 years and I'm 31.
C4K: Which centre do you work in? How many staff and children are in the centre?
AS: Balmain East Out of School Care. We have up to 30 children in our After School Care program each day and up to 55 children in our Vacation Care Program. We have two staff in after care including myself each afternoon and up to six permanent casual staff during the holiday program.
C4K: What is your professional background and career experience?
AS: I have a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Adelaide and worked for many years as a music teacher and singer. I've worked in After School Care and Community Services for nearly eight years.
C4K: What attracted you to a career in child care?
AS: I discovered it by coincidence. I had a friend who was the Coordinator at the North Sydney Community Centre and she thought that I would be fantastic working with the children in their afters program.
Initially I loved the flexibility of the hours and it complimented my musical commitments. Once I began developing music programs in the afternoon I became inspired by the possibilities that working with children created.
C4K: What does a 'normal' day look like for you?
AS: 'Normal' isn't in my vocabulary! As a Coordinator who is also part of the program in the afternoons my days are varied and can be quite hectic. Mornings are all about administration, programming, fees, staffing, the 'business' side of managing a centre and then in the afternoons I'm with my colleagues running the activities and getting involved with the kids.
C4K: What makes your centre unique?
AS: We have a unique centre in that it is a small service located in the small community of Balmain East. In that regard it really has a 'family' feel or sensibility about it. With a maximum of 30 children per day we have the opportunity to create a very relaxed environment and culture.
The methodology and approach that I create and take is that the centre belongs to the children and that adults are merely 'visitors'. It's their space and they chose whatever programmed activity they wish to participate in. Culturally the centre is predominately anglo saxon however I always include other cultural and religious activities throughout the year. I'm of Italian heritage so there have been many pizza and pasta making activities to name a few!
C4K: What are some of the advantages of working in the child care sector?
AS: The personal joy and satisfaction I get from the children and seeing how we contribute to each other's lives. It is an experience that moves and inspires me every day.
C4K: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the child care sector?
AS: Transforming the way in which child care is seen in our culture and community is a big challenge. There is an attitude that child care is just 'babysitting'. Child care is so much more than that. It's also an educational experience which has the opportunity to transcend traditional teaching methods in that the children learn 'life' skills which they wouldn't necessarily learn in the classroom.
Higher pay for child care workers is another challenge and it would definitely encourage skilled workers into the sector. Child care needs to be seen as a viable career opportunity that has an important role in the educational life of a child.
C4K: How has your centre changed to deal with these challenges?
AS: We are fortunate that our centre pays well above the award wage which has been of great assistance. It certainly makes a difference in the level and quality of care and the types of programs we can offer.
C4K: What advice would you offer someone thinking about a career or looking for a promotion in child care?
AS: Approach your local centre as there may be casual work available. As a coordinator who is constantly interviewing new staff what I look for is honesty, integrity and of course the ability to relate to children on their level. Initiative and enthusiasm go a long way. Learn as much as you can, ask as many questions as you can, enjoy the experience in whichever way it occurs and most of all have fun.
Child care is a commitment that you make to yourself that you experience everyday in an honest and authentic way. Something extra special is required as a child care worker that is unsaid and in some ways unspoken. I believe that we experience ourselves through our experience of others and in this case we experience what it is like to be a child each day. I create the intention everyday to 'keep it real', 'keep it simple' and most of all to have fun and let the rest follow. Knowing that we have made a positive impact in the life of a child is an amazing opportunity and experience.
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