Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centre Dee Why

Had a great tour with Georgia. I can’t wait for my son to start as the centre looks amazing Had a great tour with Georgia. I can’t wait for my son to start as the centre looks amazing

Kiri Hughes

Oct, 2024

So before I start, I’m going to say I’m using an alias as I don’t feel comfortable using my real name as I... So before I start, I’m going to say I’m using an alias as I don’t feel comfortable using my real name as I was bullied by a staff member at this centre. I worked as a casual at this centre about 3-5 times and my experience in the nursery and toddler rooms was wonderful. But when I got asked to work in the rainbow room, specifically with a staff member called Jess, my experience was tainted. She was downright rude. One time the children were having lunch and one child had finished and had asked if they could get up, so I asked Jess if that was alright. She scoffed and ignored me, muttering under her breath and saying “stupid” and yelled at the child to sit down and wait. Another time I had let her know that my shift was coming to an end and was about to ask if she needed me to stay back, but before I could finished she cut me off, loudly stating in a harsh tone that just because my shift was about to end didn’t mean I could leave until ratio was met. I knew that, obviously. I have never felt more belittled or bullied in my 7 years (at the time - now it’s 9) as a diploma qualified educator than the time I worked with Jess. It’s a shame because all the other staff were decent at least and kind and warm at best. She’d tell me off about things she didn’t see and had assumed I had done something wrong - for example, one time a child shut the door to the bathroom and was holding it shut. In an effort to not hurt the child by pushing the door, I was going to go around and use the other door - but Jess saw this and yelled at me that I couldn’t shut a child in the bathroom and walk away. Before I had a chance to explain, she stormed off. Seriously? That’s common sense! I don’t understand why I was the target for her frustration, but people should know that their children are being cared for by someone that feels it’s ok to judge the situation without all the facts and expects new staff to just know everything about their routine with no explanation, and is basically a bully. Although I was desperate for work at times and had travelled more than 2 hours to come to this centre, after my third time of working with this person, I could never go back. Perhaps at that time I should have spoken to the director who was a nice person, but I just didn’t feel safe - would they really believe a casual staff over one of their permanent employees? This centre had a multitude of other problems such as constantly being flooded or being understaffed, sometimes meaning that I as a casual was left alone with many children, but that didn’t make me want to not return - it was the way I was poorly treated by Jess. I hope she’s nicer now and these problems have been fixed. Read more

Anna Bunney

Oct, 2024