Jade Barker a young child care worker at the Eleebana Children's Centre in NSW has just been awarded the Hunter Region Trainee of the Year in Community Services Children's Services Certificate III.
In this week's profile Jade tells us how she has achieved so much in such a short period of time.
Meet Jade Barker winner of NSW Hunter Trainee of the Year Award
C4K: What is your full name and age?
JB: Jade Barker and I'm 25 years old. The children call me Jado or Jadey.
C4K: Which centre do you work in?
JB: I work in the Eleebana Children's Centre which has space for 36 children aged from 6 weeks to five years old. We are a small homelike centre.
C4K: What attracted you to a career in child care?
JB: I always wanted to work in child care but never thought I would be able to get a job as every girl I know wanted to work in the same industry and I didn't think there would be any jobs out there. Instead I worked as a receptionist when I finished school but I never lost sight of my dream to work in child care.
In a chance discovery, while reading the newspaper one day I found an ad for a traineeship for a preschool teacher/child care worker and that's where it all started.
I've loved every minute of my career since then.
I chose this industry because I want to help children learn and develop their potential through interesting and stimulating experiences that are exciting and fun and make a positive difference to children and their development.
C4K: What is your professional background in child care?
JB: I achieved my Certificate III in Children's Services through my traineeship at the Eleebana Children's Centre and my study through the International Childcare College in Broadmeadow.
By doing the traineeship via correspondence I gained on-the-job training and experience which has been very valuable to my development as a child care worker.
I have experienced work colleagues who regularly give me constructive advice, guidance and criticism and this has really helped me develop my skills.
Working while studying has also given me the opportunity to reflect on my learning and put theory into practice.
C4K: Tell us about your award.
JB: I was recently awarded the Hunter Region Trainee of the Year in Community Services Children's Services Certificate III and this has inspired me to continue working in the child care industry.
I was absolutely amazed when I found out I had won the award. I was speechless, very happy and excited all at once. It's a great honour and a privilege to receive this award and hopefully one day I can further my career by studying to completing a Diploma in Children's Services and ultimately a bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
Working in childcare is satisfying and rewarding work especially as I know these children are our future and the energy into them is directly investing in the future of all of us.
I have now been promoted from trainee to a permanent child care worker and I feel truly privileged to work in such a high quality centre with such wonderful children.
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