Over the last month there has been lots of talk about childcare policy – but precious little about the importance of those who deliver it.
So, let me enlighten you. My name is Sofi Grant and I have been an early childhood educator since 2008.
I have always valued education as the first and most important path to a better life. This is why I chose a career in early learning. I know the work I do in the first five years shapes the children for the rest of their lives.
In my career I have educated and cared for a very large number of children. These children came with their own values, beliefs and stories to share. I have helped them learn about why these are important and why each of them is special and unique. We teach children to respect and care for each other.
But that’s not all I do. I also teach the children everyday skills about the environment and how to care for it. And we work with each child individually on their learning and emotional needs and help them reach their developmental milestones.
I would love to say that I am well paid in my job, but as anyone who works in our sector will tell you, it’s not money that keeps us here - it’s the children. I have learned so much and grown enormously from the many children I’ve educated over these years.
But it would be nice to be valued and paid as a professional.
But we are not. Early childhood educators are paid as little as $19 an hour.
I know that to change this we will need parents to understand the importance of what we do and support us – because they are the people that politicians will really listen to.
So, if you are a parent I would like to tell you about what educators like me do each day and the difference we make in your child’s life.
When I am in my room I am responsible for fifteen children. Yes, I said fifteen – all on my own. And what I do with those fifteen children varies from day to day. I plan experiences to develop new skills and strengthen existing ones. I also move from child to child so that each and every one of those fifteen children can spend time learning with me. We sit down for meals together, we share stories, we sing, dance, read and we often shed a tear. And this is a good day.
And what about those days when a child is unsettled or under-slept, is new to a room or has special needs. These children need extra time and attention but there are fourteen other children who also need me.
Did you also know that I spend hours doing curriculum planning each week so your child is always learning and stimulated? Each night I take this work home because there isn’t enough time to do it in work hours. My weekends are often spent looking for new resources and planning for the week ahead. Did you know the portfolio you take home each year that documents your child’s year of learning takes me hours to compete at home?
We take away time from our own children, husbands and parents to make sure your child doesn’t miss out.
These are the joys and challenges of being an educator. Yes, we do this job willingly – we are not asking for sympathy. But too many passionate, dedicated educators like me are leaving this sector because we don’t feel valued for our work.
And it is so sad to see educators leave this job they love. But it is heart-breaking to see children say goodbye to an educator they love – and maybe even miss out on an experience with that educator that could have changed their life.
So please value and support your educators – because it doesn’t have to be this way.
Sofi Grant is a Gippsland-based early childhood educational leader and a member of United Voice – the early childhood union.
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