How long have you been in the industry or why do you want to get into it?

I have been in the industry for 10 years.

What made you apply for a Fraser Foundation scholarship?

I was thrilled to see this new course offered and have always been interested in upskilling my knowledge to a tertiary level, though was not in a position to fund this. A close friend of mine told me about the Fraser Foundation and the wonderful work it does,  prompting me to seek its wonderful support to allow me to further my passion. It is only with the support of this amazing foundation that I could even consider the possibility of completing this course and becoming an early childhood teacher.

What are you studying?

I am studying my graduate diploma in early childhood teaching through Swinburne Online.

What barriers would you have faced in getting that education if you hadn’t applied for financial support?

Without financial support from the Fraser Foundation, there is absolutely no way I would have even been able to contemplate completing a course like this. This assistance is allowing me to complete this course without the major financial impact.

What do you love about this industry?

I love that this industry places me in a position to advocate for children, families, and educators across the sector. I strive to offer children quality early childhood education and care, allowing them to develop, grow and learn. As an early childhood educator, I take pride in the opportunity to provide an environment where our children can have the best start in their early learning journey.

 Where do you work?

I work at Eastwood Early Education in Toowoomba.

Why did you want to take the graduate diploma?

To further develop my skills, increase my understanding and further develop my thinking about children, their development and the ways we can best support them as they take first steps into the big wide world.

Why is this an industry that should have more people joining?

This industry is truly so rewarding - it allows us to make connections to not only some wonderful little people but assist and support their families as well. It is incredibly rewarding seeing how much the children grow during their time with us as early childhood educators. They learn valuable practical skills as well as developing socially and emotionally- it's truly wonderful to be a part of something so special, they really do leave little footprints on your heart!