It’s no surprise that things have changed dramatically in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector throughout the years but to get a good idea of just how much things have changed in the last 40 years or so, we spoke to childcare veteran and nominee in the Care for Kids ‘Thank You, Educators’ initiative, Debbie Townley.
Debbie, an Early Childhood Educator from Bluebird Cobram EED has been educating children throughout Victoria since 1979 and has spent the last 25 years in the same place.
To say she’s grown roots would be an understatement.
Loved by the community, parents and her colleagues, Debbie is being championed as not only an integral part of the service she educates in but of the wider Cobram community. Here's what just one person had to say about Debbie.
“Debbie is one of the most committed and compassionate educators I have met. [With more than] 25 years in the industry and her skills and pedagogy has grown with the change of childcare over the years”
Back to the beginning
From humble beginnings, Debbie went to Footscray, Melbourne to study a two-year childcare course. Back then she recalls it being called a pre-school mothercraft nurse course which consisted of even amounts of practical and theoretical segments. Upon completion, Debbie started as a nanny and then quickly moved on to a Melbourne City Council children’s centre. She fell in love with that workplace and was there for five full years before moving back to her country town origins in Bendigo.
With placement completed locally, and previous employment in a City Council Service, Debbie knew she was in a wonderful position to continue her career with the Bendigo City Council.
City-to-Country Contrast
Building a rapport with inner city families was easy in the sense that early childhood educators were there to educate their children but once the day was done, it was done. Rarely did staff see families outside of the workplace.
In the country, it was a very close community.
Debbie remembers, “In the country, you would get to know people. You’d race into the supermarket, and you would run into them. When I was in the city, you had some local people but more that travelled to the city from outer suburbs for work so you would never see them in your day-to-day life outside of the childcare service.”
Consent and risk assessment
Way back then, when times were a little simpler, there was barely a scrap of paperwork to be seen.
Debbie recalls when she was working in Melbourne, she would take the children into town, ride the trams, head to the zoo, and just go for walks. The difference was the paperwork.
“Back then, we didn’t even have to get consent forms! I can’t imagine taking a child anywhere today without a signed form from a parent.”
And what about the risks, you ask? That was not assessed either. Debbie remembers not even talking about the risk assessments when it came to using the trams with the children or heading to the zoo for the day.
Today, risk assessment is very real and for a great reason.
Risk assessment is implemented by identifying potential dangers that children may come across in their learning environment and on excursions. Things like sharp objects, slippery floors, or unstable furniture as well as pathways to destinations if children are walking to their location or, in Debbie’s example, crowded platforms or sudden tram stops.
Educators assess the likelihood and severity of these risks and then take appropriate measures to minimise or eliminate them.
Find out more about modern day risk assessments on the ACECQA website.
Services looked very different
Throughout the 80s, it was quite common to have childcare services attached to houses, and things were done very differently.
While it’s encouraged now for parents and families to meet the educators and staff, in Debbie’s experience throughout the 80s, it was not normal practice. Debbie recalls having to hand children to the owners of the service she was a part of for them to return the child to their parents at the ‘front of house’ while the educators remained in the back.
“We never got to meet any of the parents where now it’s encouraged – very much has changed.”
Things were also done differently in the kitchen. There were no apps, nothing online, and nothing else but the mouths of babes to report to parents so, if they went home and said, “We had pizza today,” mum and dad would imagine a mini pizza. Debbie saw things a little bit differently.
“At one stage, all the cook had was some bread, tomato paste, and something from a tin to put on top. That was the pizza, it certainly is not the same standard as today.”
And thank goodness for that!
The 90s were better!
Once Debbie had a family of her own, she returned to childcare in 1997. Having been qualified with a certificate of applied social science (childcare), she was able to continue working in the sector, recognised as being quailed with a Diploma in early education.
This was when she took on her role at Cobram Bluebird.
Through all the changes, including those of ownership, Debbie remains. She has scaled back a little now, working three days in a part-time capacity.
The pressure today is unsurmountable
In today’s world, the early education and care sector asks a lot more of its professionals.
“There is so much more pressure. There is more need to do work outside of your regular work hours and it’s certainly more challenging because you’re always trying to think of more experiences and things to do. There’s a lot of pressure to meet the guidelines for children’s development.”
“I’d do it all again”.
Despite the changes, the additional pressures, and the extra paperwork, Debbie says she would not change a thing and still would recommend young people get into the sector.
Debbie says, “It’s still rewarding. You have to be a certain kind of person, have empathy and you certainly can’t be in it for the wage but it’s a very rewarding sector to work in.”
One of the biggest perks is the connections you build.
“There are two staff members in Bluebird that I looked after when they were little. One of those has just gone on maternity leave to have a baby of her own. Others have added me on Facebook
Champion these Champions
Join us as we champion our incredible ECEC Educators. We’re giving parents, service owners, and fellow sector professionals the opportunity to highlight their appreciation for the educators in their lives who are having the greatest impact on families, their community, and the sector as a whole.
Saying 'Thank You,' won't solve every challenge faced by these indispensable professionals, yet it goes a long way to show that we see them, we hear them, and we value each and every one of them.
Six deserving educators across the country will win a luxury weekend away and anyone who nominates has the chance to win a $500 VISA gift card.
Get the kids involved!
Show these champions that we all care and get the kids involved in thanking their educators with a downloadable colouring sheet which can be uploaded here for your chance to win a $250 FUNDAY Sweets voucher. Don't forget to present your special educator with their certificate!
