Meet a Child Care Center Manager
We caught up with Delvene, who is a Family Day Care educator. She runs a child care service from home and works as a family liaison officer for NSW Nanny Services.
What courses did you study to become a Child Care Center Manager? And tell us a bit about your current role.
I have done my Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and a Training and Assessing certificate. I am a Family Day Care educator and I run my own Family Day Care business from my home 3 days a week. The other 2 days I work as a family liaison officer for NSW Nanny Services.
What does a Child Care Center Manager do on a day-to-day basis?
- Ensure that best practices are adhered to in all areas. These practices are guided and are aligned with the laws and regulations, the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Standards, the Code of Ethics and the service Philosophy.
- Policies and procedures are followed.
- Liaising and building strong relationships with families and keeping in contact with the coordination unit.
- Ensure that the education and care of the children are at the forefront of all practices. Children’s programs and experiences are age appropriate and relate directly to the children’s current interests, and the child is supported, and knowledge is guided and extended to the child in a holistic manner. Health and hygiene and safe sun practices are maintained.
What do you think are the skills a Child Care Center Manager should have?
- A minimum of a Certificate 4 in ECE and C and practical field experience.
- Great communication skills.
- The ability to listen, not judge but access situations and think outside of the box.
- Multi-task.
- Have great time management skills.
- Be available and accessible.
- Be calm.
- Be understanding.
- Be able to take control and make decisions.
Delvene Middleton from NSW Nanny Services.
What are the three things you absolutely love about your job?
- Knowing that I have helped a child or parent by what I do.
- Watching and being part of children’s development and sense of autonomy.
- Connecting with Children and advocating for them.
What advice would you give students aspiring to work in childcare industry?
It has to be a passion. It is endlessly rewarding if you do it for the right reasons. The most poignant advice I can give is that you need to have a hunger for knowledge. There is so much to learn, and you will always be able to learn more. The industry is every changing, and you need to adapt and be willing to.
What is next on your career horizon?
I want to work for In-Home Care in the long term or keep working for Family Day Care or NSW Nanny Services. An organisation that supports children and their families.
Thank You, Delvene for sharing your story with training.com.au