For early childhood trainee Matilda, working with children has been eye opening

Matilda Adlam is musical, animated and enthusiastic – qualities which led her family members to suggest that her previous career path of a casual job in retail coupled with studies in screenwriting might be better suited to a career with children. 

This was a perspective that was reinforced when she was working in her retail job one day and a young child and their mother came in to shop. 

“It was a quiet day so the child and I played with his paper aeroplane and then he asked if he could do some jobs around the store, while his mother shopped,” Ms Adlam recalls. “When the family left, my colleague commended me on my patience. I was shocked. I had been thinking how lucky I was to have this joyful child with us.” 

That very same day she began to investigate a career in early childhood education. 

“It had always been an area I was interested in exploring,” she said. “I was often told by family members how my musical, animated, enthusiastic energy would suit an early childhood setting.” 

She researched traineeship opportunities, realising quickly that Gowrie Victoria would be the best fit. 

“When I first started working at Carlton North, I was completely new to the sector,” she continued. 

“I knew that I had a passion and an excitement for educating children, and that I was enthusiastic and eager to learn. Over the past three months I have done just that.”

Of all the new things to learn in her role, the area that she has grown to understand the most is the planning cycle. 

“I could never have imagined the amount of effort and dedication that goes into the planning,” she said. 

When asked what she loves most about being an educator, she said that being able to engage with everyone she meets in a meaningful and thoughtful way has been a highlight. 

“I have found that working in early childhood education is the best and most fulfilling way to do this. Children have a beautiful, very moving capacity for authenticity and originality. You won’t find anyone else better at being themselves.”

“It creates an energy (one that is supported by our amazing staff and their respect for children’s personalities and imaginations) that I adore being a part of.”

“I remember on my very first day, sitting in on a group activity where the educators and children were discussing empathy. I could not believe how in-line my own values were with the curriculum, and how richly they were embedded in the children’s everyday lives. Since then, I have become even more proud to work somewhere so committed to promoting love and respect.”

One of her favourite parts of the day is the morning, where children and families are arriving. 

“I look forward to hearing the children’s stories, which they recount with pure delight, especially on a Monday after the weekend,” she said.

“During morning meeting, we all say our Acknowledgement of Country, sometimes discussing what it means and why we do it. Then we move on to small groups. These are often constructed in response to children’s interests.”

“We are a children-focused centre, meaning we observe areas that the children are excited about and incorporate them into experiences that have specific learning areas. We also give children a choice about which group to participate in, to encourage a belief in their own agency.”

To learn more about Gowrie Carlton North, please visit the website, here.