Educator in the spotlight: April Hall

What is your full name and where do you work?

My name is April Hall and I am 27 years old. I have worked at Kidi Kingdom Child Care Centres for the past seven years and oversee 22 outstanding educators with a great supportive management team.

What is your professional background and career experience? 

I have worked in the early childhood sector for more than 10 years, in all positions from Assistant Educator to Centre Manager. Before starting in the early childhood education and sector I worked at Coles.

What attracted you to a career in the early childhood sector?

Growing up in large family, I always found myself wanting to work with children in child safety or in long day care, then an opportunity presented itself when I was 17.

What does a ‘normal’ day look like for you?

A normal day for me at Kidi Kingdom Child Care is arriving to work and greeting the team and ensuing ratios and that the day is organised. Then greeting families and addressing any questions or support they need.

Due to the conditions imposed by COVID we are currently temperature testing children and families to ensure we can maintain quality care and a healthy environment for the children, families and educators in our service.

During the day I am in the office working towards quality improvements throughout the centre and providing support to the group of educators. However, for most of the time you will find me on the floor providing extra support to the team of educators or as the educational leader as my passion is for quality education.

What makes your service unique? 

At Kidi Kingdom Child Care we offer many extracurricular programs such as Naturescape Program, Safe Swimming Program and T.I.P program (Transition into Prep). Families love that we are different with our extra services to ensure we can always support their children.

What are some of the advantages of working in early childhood education and care?

The best reward of my job as centre manager is the support and guidance I am able to provide families, children, community and my group of educators, and the appreciation and support I receive in return

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the sector?

The main challenge that we face in the early childhood sector is a lack of widespread recognition of our profession and the quality of care we provide. Unfortunately, educators are still thought of as “babysitters” and we are so much more than that!

How has your service changed to deal with these challenges?

At our centre we focus a lot on team recognition and we advise our families to leave thoughtful notes on the educator appreciation wall. In addition, we organise educator award days and we hold an end of year awards ceremony for the educators who have gone above and beyond in what they do.

How does the early childhood industry need to change to adapt to these challenges?

Some more recognition across the news and radio would be lovely. It would be great to see families join us for the day to see what day to day life in early childhood can be like.

What advice would you offer someone thinking about a career or looking for a promotion in early childhood education and care? 

Embrace all challenges that may come your way. It is a very rewarding job if you have a passion for children, education and quality care. I never thought I would ever be a centre manager and now I can’t imagine doing anything else!

Remember to email editor@careforkids.com.au if you know someone who deserves to be showcased in an upcoming issue of our newsletter.