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Zoey-Ann celebrates 18 years with Goodstart Early Learning
Article Freya Lucas
Jul 17, 2024
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Zoey-Ann English (shown left) is approaching a special milestone of 18 years with early childhood provider Goodstart Early Learning.
Under her leadership Goodstart Mount Louisa, in Townsville, Queensland, recently won two Goodies Awards - one for Safety Leadership and one for Advancing Reconciliation.This success has occurred even in light of some challenging situations such as opening and closing through flooding events, which has caused upheaval and challenges for staff and families. Despite the challenges, the resilient spirit of the team and its community has shone through, and everyone has come together in a show of dedication to families and children.
Recently Ms English shared her career journey with Goodstart, which began with her joining the provider at the young age of 17, and which has led her, full circle, back to the service where her career began.
A variety of experiences in her community
Ms England has worked in a number of early learning settings in Townsville, moving ‘up the ranks’ thanks to opportunities at a variety of services, where she gained experience and wisdom, which she channels into her service and performance to this day.
“I started my traineeship here at Mount Louisa,” she shared.
“My mum was the director before it became one big centre. On one side of the building, there's a five-room centre at the front. When there was a need in the community for another, they built a brand-new centre on this side. It had three rooms for ages zero to two, two to three, and three to five. My mum opened it.”
“The two weren't connected. They had the same car park but two separate directors, families, and staff. You didn't even go next door. Then, they ended up merging and becoming one big centre. We’ve got eight rooms now.”
Her interest in the sector began when she supported her mother in setting up the new service.
“I started just unpacking toys with her,” she said, “and then I ended up joining about a year or so afterwards. I got to be a trainee, educator, and senior educator. I worked in an assistant director position for a while, and then I got to step up as centre director at another centre, covering maternity leave. It's really good that if you want opportunities at other centres, they're available.”
Returning to Mount Louisa
“Goodstart Idalia was my first Centre Director position,” she said. “It was amazing, but it just so happened that the floods came. They took the centre, my staff, my children and families. We didn't end up renewing the lease with them and let that centre go. When I lost that centre, I moved to Goodstart Townsville. That was amazing too.”
“We had three centres join during the floods with new educators joining us as well. During that time, we won a National Safety award at Townsville, which was cool,” she continued.
“Then, when my AD was able to run Townsville, I came back to direct at Mount Louisa. It's been good to come back because it's like coming back home. Some of the staff that were here when I was here last are still here.”
“I'm sitting at the same desk that my mum was at many years ago. She lives in Cairns now; she's got her Bachelor and she's running a centre up there.”
Building a strong team culture
When it comes to leadership, Ms English prioritises ‘bringing back the fun’ understanding that everyone is at a different level in terms of their understanding, experience and familiarity with the sector.
“We do a lot of the ‘circle of security’ with our staff, ensuring our educators feel we are their safe base. I ensure that I check in as best as I can.”
“As a leader, I'm evolving, I'm learning every day. I am no better than anybody else. I will still mop, I will still fold, I'm not above my team. We come together, and I’m there supporting. It's important to not just sit there and dictate. It’s still leadership but we're learning together, alongside each other, rather than against each other.”
Authentic leadership is a priority for her, as is transparency and being somewhat direct.
“I believe in being real and to the point. Sharing the great things that you've done but sharing the things that you haven't done so well that you're working on as well,” she said.
“We engage in critical reflection. Continuous improvement is key at work and for yourself as a person. You’ve got to be vulnerable at times, but you've got to sometimes be the boss. It's just finding that healthy balance.”
At the centre of her decision making is a commitment to making a difference for children on their learning journeys.
“I love seeing when children are learning, like when they’re reading in kindergarten. When it's science week and they’re watching a volcano explode in awe. It's little things. Planting seedlings that grow, and seeing how excited the children get.”
This extends to her team too, with Ms English taking pride in seeing her team grow, thrive and succeed, having seen many go from trainees to educational leaders and running centres.
“At first, as a leader, you want to win a trophy, win an award, be national and then you get that and you go, ‘I want to see who else can get there’. It’s amazing to watch their journey and see them be the best they can be. I love to see centres and directors evolve. Seeing someone who was an educator or senior educator with you moving to a director position, then win a Goodie Award.”
To learn more about Goodstart Early Learning please see here. To read the full story as originally produced by Goodstart please see here.
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