Early Childhood Educators’ Day (7 September) is an opportunity to say thank you and acknowledge the work of the more than 40,000 early childhood educators across Queensland.
Whether it be in kindy, outside school hours care, family day care, long day care or our early years places, we know early childhood educators play a pivotal role in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.
The
Australian Childcare Alliance invites services to post photos of their celebrations on social media using the hashtag #EarlyChildhoodEducatorsDay and #LoveMyECEC to acknowledge the great work our educators do.
To celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day and the hard work our educators do every day of the year, we reached out to some of our wonderful educators and asked them why they love what they do.
Meet the educators
Sharnelle
Red Oasis Early Education and Care, Mount Isa
Sharnelle is currently the Lead Educator for the Walkirriparri (Pelican) PreKindy Room at Red Oasis Early Education and Care in Mount Isa. She enjoys guiding and collaborating with her team as they teach and nurture the children in their care to develop their skills and experiences.
‘Mount Isa, Queensland is the home of First Nations People the Kalkadoon who are the descendants of my Indigenous Australian tribe living in the Mount Isa region of Queensland. I love our heritage and family connection to this wonderful land and always try to bring that positive connection with me to work each day. I especially enjoy encouraging the children to discover and connect with the land via our gardening and sustainability programs as well as opportunities to build relationships with all.
I very much enjoy working with the children and my team, not only within the Walkirriparri PreKindy room, but with all our friendly staff and families. All the staff are very caring and committed to the wellbeing of children and that is one of my passions, always looking out for the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of the children in our care.'
Kayla
Eastwood Early Education, Toowoomba
Kayla started her early childhood journey in 2020 as a school-based trainee, studying a Certificate III. Upon completing this, she jumped straight into the Diploma and full-time work as a classroom educator after completing Year 12.
‘I chose to start work in early childhood as I have a passion for education. Growing up with little sisters and cousins introduced me to my passion of being able to nurture children's individualism through education and care.
In high school, I explained my passion for education and care to some of my teachers. Through that, I was able to gain work experience that led to a traineeship at Eastwood. Eastwood showed me what early childhood education and care was really about. I loved learning different ways to support children's growth and knew that I was interested in becoming a full-time educator.'
Gilda
Bright Beginnings, Chermside
Gilda, or Mama Gilda, has been at Bright Beginnings Chermside for over 27 years. Gilda is the ultimate toddler whisperer.
Gilda currently works in the toddler B room with 2 other educators and 15 children. Sustainability, embedding culture and gardening are her passions.
To skip into work for 29 years is an inspiration.
Kristy
The NEST Early Education Centre of Excellence
Kristy has always wanted to be an early childhood teacher, with her passion starting at high school. During her final year of school, their cohort made a connection with a local early childhood education and care (ECEC) centre and the spark was lit! Families often call her the ‘baby whisperer’ and have commented on her ‘calm, nurturing and beautiful soul’.
She has been an early childhood educator for the past 22 years – ‘they are the best years of my life,’ she said.
‘Being an early childhood educator is an honour, to talk alongside our families supporting them, and guiding them in these crucial stages of development.
We become a part of the family’s village and they often call back in to say hello, even when their children have graduated from Kindergarten to school.'
Johana
API Childcare Centre, Milton
Johana Perez is a Lead Educator in the 2–3-year-old rooms at API Childcare Centre in Milton. Johana started her teaching journey at the age of 18 in Colombia, where she supported teachers and taught Kindy in Primary schools.
Johana created a new life here in Australia working in the hospitality industry, but her love and passion for teaching never left her and she craved the thrill and joy of being in the early childhood environment once more. She dove back into study and completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Tanya
Little Scholars School of Early Learning, Yatala
Tanya Durrant is a Lead Early Childhood Educator at Little Scholars School of Early Learning, Yatala and has been a proud Early Childhood Educator for over 6 years.
'It’s so rewarding to know that every day I help the children become more capable, intelligent, kind, confident and loving little human beings. I’ve always wanted to be a part of shaping the lives of our next generation and being that bonus person to love, teach and care for them.
I hope that the children I have the pleasure of educating and caring for grow up to be strong, confident, fearless, creative, kind and loving human beings. I hope the impact I make on them shows them that they have so many opportunities and a world full of people who adore and love them.'