The joy of seeing children grow and learn is at the heart of a career in early childhood education for two award-winning educators at Eugowra Community Children's Centre Director Raewyn Molloy won the Samara Golding-Piper Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership, and Terri Van Tempest the Molly Ticehurst Memorial Award for Outstanding Certificate III Early Childhood Educator at the Central West Early Childhood Awards. Raewyn, who has been in the sector for some 20 years, says there's no role more rewarding, and early years education is increasingly in the spotlight as our understanding of how much learning occurs in that time grows. "This is the age they build the foundations, develop social skills, participate and learning through play base learning, make friends and develop independence-confidence," she said. "In the first five years a child’s brain is rapidly growing and 90 per cent developing." The industry is facing challenges, but those within the sector have a vital role in assisting children to develop and become confident individuals ready to under take the next stage of their education. "There is nothing more rewarding than assisting a child to discover, learn, experiment and build relationships," Raewyn said. "Sharing of knowledge and guiding others over the years has been a very rewarding, seeing someone who is very shy grow into a confident individual." Raewyn began her journey in early education and care as a trainee, then progressed to complete her Diploma, teaching degree and then an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management. "Over the years implementing a traineeship program has provided an opportunity for people to enter the Early Education and Care industry, with many trainees going on to do further qualifications. Traineeships provide an opportunity for trainees to develop their confidence, knowledge and skills in the Early Education Area," she said. Winning the Samara Golding-Piper Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership was an honour. ECCC was destroyed by the flood event of November 14, 2022, but today has 17 staff and enrolments of 54 children. The team is looking forward to expanding once they're in their new permanent premises. "These have thrown many challenges and a new way of thinking outside the box as ECCC continues its journey to rebuild, supporting the local communities that access the service," Raewyn said. "Leadership is a journey, and you never stop learning," she added. "Supporting and guiding other is privilege that we can all strive for. It is a privilege to be able to care for, guide and educate children." Educator Terri Vane-Tempest won another very special award on the night: the Molly Ticehurst Memorial Award for Outstanding Certificate III Early Childhood Educator. Terri started her traineeship at ECCC two-and-a-half years ago and has never regretted it. She'd had an interest in childcare but never pursued it until she saw the traineeship advertised when she was relocating. "I was very surprised to get an interview, even more surprised to get a phone call saying I had the job," Terri said. "I've been here ever since." Terri too works with four and five-year-olds as they prepare for big school and she loves it. "The smiles on their faces," she said when asked what she loves about it. "I love sitting with them, building relationships with them, just have the silly conversations and have fun with them - play-based learning is a big part of my educating style." There's a class of graduates preparing to make the move from ECCC to big school in the weeks ahead and while Terri knows that farewell will be a bit tough, she also knows they're very ready. "To see the growth from the start of the year to now, it's amazing," she said. "How much they've changed and grown and the knowledge they've picked up in that short amount of time ... they're all going to go so well next year." The job? Terri wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. "It's an amazing career to be in - I haven't looked back, I'm glad I took that step and I wish I had made it sooner," she said.
