Stephanie Watson
Stephanie started the traineeship program in Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education And Care as a quiet and reserved student who was embarking on a big leap of faith.
After leaving school, she’d worked in several fast-food jobs, gaining experience in kitchen operations and customer service.
But she wanted to try something new, something practical, and something that could become a career, and not just a way to earn money. So, she decided to start her Early Childhood Education traineeship to gain experience in an education setting.
"When children are trying to figure out something and they don’t get it the first try, they try again; and when they accomplish it, you see the light in their eyes. They are so proud of themselves. Being able to see that happen on a daily basis is amazing", Steph said.
Steph's employer reached out to the educators at Chisholm Institute of TAFE to ask if there was an award they could nominate Steph for. They couldn’t sing her praises enough. She’d been such a success, and they had seen her grow as a person and a childcare professional.
Such praise was a great boost to Steph’s esteem. She started her traineeship placement with trepidation and fear, and yet, she bloomed.
Steph’s professional relationship with children is amazing. The patience and time she spends reassuring and supporting children is natural to her. She always arrives with a smile, nothing seems to faze her, and she notices when children arrive and know that they will need support to say goodbye. Her awareness of the feelings of the children in her care is exceptional.
Steph has expressed deep gratitude for this transformative experience, highlighting the supportive atmosphere created by the educators at Chisholm.
Steph’s advice to people considering a traineeship in Early Childhood Education and Care is, “Just go for it. I was ready for change and just went for it. I’m so glad I did.”
Her resilience, dedication and determination to succeed were the reasons she was nominated for Trainee of the Year in the 2024 Chisholm Education Awards.