On Wednesday, 3 September, Australia comes together to celebrate Early Childhood Educators’ Day. The day recognises the invaluable role that our early childhood educators play in shaping the lives of young children and supporting their families.
To mark the day, we sat down for a conversation with LiveBetter Play and Learn Preschool Director, Jan Mills. Jan joined LiveBetter in 2018, bringing with her both a passion for early childhood education and a wealth of knowledge and experience.
We wanted to learn a little more about Jan and the important work she does, nurturing, educating, and inspiring our youngest community members.
Early years
Originally from Sydney, Jan had always wanted to teach.
“I had always assumed that I would end up teaching in primary school, but I didn’t end up going that way.”
Instead, when Jan left school, she decided to enrol at TAFE to study Early Childhood Education.
“I was living out in Bourke at the time, and one of my TAFE teachers suggested I consider doing the new early childhood degree.”
Jan went ahead and enrolled in the course. It was a challenging time. The degree was online, and living in such a remote area meant access to the internet was patchy at best. Jan was balancing work, study, a small child and a newborn baby. Despite the difficulties, she persevered and was one of the first students to graduate with a Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to Five Years).
After completing her degree, Jan spent many years working in long-day care centres as a Teacher- Director, building on her knowledge and experience, and specialising in a range of areas, including early intervention.
On teaching
Jan had always loved mentoring younger educators and understood the importance of sharing her experience and expertise with young people just starting out on their early childhood education journey – so when the opportunity arose to teach at TAFE, she didn’t hesitate.
“I was teaching Year 11 and 12 students who were completing their Certificate 3 in Early Childhood studies. TAFE taught me a lot about communication, managing situations, and managing students, which has, in turn, helped me to manage families and other educators.”
Teaching these older students so inspired Jan that for a time she considered becoming a high school teacher – even going back to university to begin her high school teaching qualifications – but it wasn’t to be.
“I was getting a bit… disheartened with the whole schooling process, the teaching techniques that I felt hadn’t evolved much since I was at school. I realised it wasn’t what I wanted.
“So, today I’m teaching preschool, I’m a trainer for Royal Life Saving, and I deliver first aid training. I just love teaching.”
On LiveBetter
It was 2018 when Jan made the move to LiveBetter’s Play Learn Preschool. At the time, she was teaching at Orange TAFE – but she was ready for a change.
“We weren’t getting the number of students through that we used to. Kids just weren’t taking up Early childhood studies, and this meant there wasn’t enough work. And then the Teacher-Director position at LiveBetter Play Learn Preschool came up.”
Jan accepted what was initially a temporary position – but it wasn’t long before it became permanent.
Jan hasn’t looked back and says she has had some great opportunities while working at LiveBetter.
“Having the chance to move around our different early education services, to go and help out in different communities, that’s something that I’ve never had the opportunity to do before.
“It’s the chance to step up a little bit. Something outside of what my normal role would be.”
On Early Childhood Educator Day
“I think it’s an important day. It’s where we get to be acknowledged and appreciated for the work that we do with young children. And for me, it’s also about acknowledging and supporting the educators on my team.”
On the challenges
Jan understands only too well the issues the sector as a whole has been experiencing, particularly when it comes to staffing.
“The kids aren’t coming through to train in the sector because the pay is considered low. And often when young people do come through from TAFE, they just don’t realise what they’re in for.”
“The burnout is quite high because the work can be quite draining. When you’re dealing with children, you’re also dealing with families – and you’re dealing with other educators.
“I remember, many years ago, being told that ‘you’re not just an educator’. You’re also a counsellor; you’re a health professional…you’re having to fill so many different roles. And you need to find a balance, or it will affect your mental health.”
And the joy
Having said that, Jan is quick to emphasise the joy the work can bring.
“I really love working with the children. Just seeing their personalities develop.
“In this age group, we’re doing a lot of school readiness, which means helping them with their emotional skills, with their social skills, and seeing them develop their resilience – being able to socialise and get along.
“Being in this environment is so rewarding. Just the little things, like when children you’re teaching start to develop a sense of humour, and you can start to have a laugh and a joke with them.”
Quick questions:
- What is the best thing about your work?
“The children.”
- What is the most challenging thing about your work?
“The Staffing.”
- Top tip to manage work-life balance?
“Set boundaries and don’t take your work home.”
- What keeps you going, getting up and doing it all again, each day?
“The children and the families.”
- Hopes for the future. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
“I will be in a caravan travelling. Delivering first aid training and child protection training to remote areas.”
- If there was one piece of advice you could give to others who are starting in the community sector, what would it be?
“Have an understanding of what the role is and ask yourself why you want to go into this industry. Are you going in for the right reasons? Because it’s not easy work.
It’s important to understand that you’re there to make a difference in children’s lives.”
