Aspire Early Education and Kindergarden – Building up Teachers through mentoring

Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten has always taken the growth and development of its employees as seriously as it does the growth and development of the children in its care. Through a well-developed mentorship and training program, Aspire educators and teachers are encouraged to learn with, and from, experienced team members.

 

Aspire Early Education’s Mentorship Program 

 

Aspire’s mentorship program aims to support provisionally registered teachers to move from from provisional to full registration. This allows them to learn alongside experienced educators, ask questions, and grow confidence. 

 

As part of moving to full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), early childhood provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) must work with a mentor to help guide them through the VIT’s Inquiry process. 

 

Aspire Early Education’s mentors work with PRTs to help them move from provisional to full teacher registration with the VIT. The level and type of support the mentors provide is tailored to each PRT. This may include virtual or in-person mentoring support.

 

What are the benefits of Mentoring?

 

Aspire Early Education’s mentors support the PRTs in identified areas of development, assist in gathering evidence of professional practice, and help with the completion of their VIT Inquiry Project. 

 

PRTs get mentors within Aspire, making communication and support more accessible and efficient for their full registration program. Mentoring also helps provisional teachers grow more confident in their teaching abilities, experience different situations, as well as network and develop connections in the early childhood sector. Many of these mentorships end up in roles at Aspire centres.

 

Successful Mentorship Stories at Aspire’s Centres 

 

Whilst operating throughout all centres, Aspire wants to share the stories of two of its mentees. Learn about the stories of Isabella from Bendigo and Linh from Cranbourne West.

 

Isabella – Bendigo, Kennington

Isabelle, affectionately called Issy, has been at Aspire Bendigo since February 2022. A dedicated, caring and passionate team member, Issy has had mentorship throughout her time at Aspire.

 

“This role is more than just work,” Issy explains, “it’s a passion ignited by the opportunity to form strong bonds with children and families.”

 

She has grown in her confidence and skills as an early educator, and has had the chance to be mentored by Aspire Bendigo, Kennington’s strong leadership team.

 

The team at Bendigo have loved watching Issy thrive.

 

“I’ve had the incredible privilege of working closely with Isabella, supporting her through her studies and Aspire journey,” Centre Manager Kara Massara shared. “It has been a joy witnessing her natural talent for interacting with children and enhancing their learning journeys.” 

 

Issy has a great career ahead of her, and the team can’t wait to see what she’ll achieve at Aspire next!

 

Linh – Cranbourne West 

Aspire Education and Kindergarten Cranbourne West has had a very successful mentorship and training program that has produced some of Aspire’s key team members. Over many years at Aspire Cranbourne West, educators have had opportunities to develop their skills and careers. 

 

Some Cranbourne West team members who have moved within the company, thanks to training and mentorship, include Thilini Kandane, who started as an Assistant Centre Manager and is now a Regional Manager, and Zoe Anderson who began at Cranbourne West as a Room Leader and is now the Centre Manager at Aspire Ramlegh, Clyde North. Even the centre’s Centre Manager Archi Patel began her career at the centre as a Nursery Hub Leader. 

 

The team in centre at Aspire Cranbourne West is supported too. Linh Pham began at Aspire Cranbourne West as a student in the pre-kindergarten room, studying for her Diploma in Children’s Services in 2019. She then signed on at Cranbourne West and was floor support across the centre. 

 

Throughout the next few years, as she worked towards achieving her VIT, Linh worked in a variety of rooms and roles in the centre. This includes roles such as a Kinder Assistant, Senior Educator in the Pre-Kinder Hub, Room Leader in the Toddler Hub, and an Educational Leader in training.

 

This hard work did not go unnoticed, because she currently holds the role of Head of Curriculum at the centre. If it weren’t for the support and guidance she received throughout her years at Aspire Cranbourne West, she may not have achieved this goal. On top of this, she has now successfully completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education.

 

How are Mentees and Mentors supported at Aspire?

 

The level and type of support provided by the Aspire Early Education mentors are tailored for each PRT. This may include virtual or in-person mentoring support. 

 

Aspire facilitates mentoring time between mentees and mentors, allowing mentees to visit their mentor’s kindergarten program within Aspire Services. This proximity makes communication between mentors and mentees easier.

 

Mentees are supported in applying for PRT grants offered by the Department of Education to approved providers. These PRT grants help provisionally registered early childhood teachers (PRTs) move to full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Aspire supports its PRTs in mapping their funding towards:

 

• Providing paid time release, travel, or accommodation expenses for both the PRT and a mentor to work together.
• Employing a casual relief teacher to back-fill the PRT and/or the mentor.
• Supporting the PRT to undertake formal professional learning.
• Allocating funds to mentors for their time and support, ensuring they are compensated for their mentoring efforts.
• Mentees can use the PRT Grant towards professional development opportunities such as attending conferences, workshops, seminars, online courses, subscriptions to teacher magazines/journals/research articles, and teacher textbook resources on particular topics.

 

Aspire ensures that both mentees and mentors have the resources and support needed to successfully navigate the transition from provisional to full registration. 

 

What Pathways does Mentorship open at Aspire?

 

Being mentored at Aspire opens several pathways for professional growth and career advancement. 

 

Mentees benefit from tailored support and guidance, enhancing their teaching skills and professional knowledge. This experience can lead to opportunities for leadership roles within Aspire, such as becoming a mentor themselves, taking on higher responsibilities within their centres, or pursuing further education and certifications. The mentorship program also fosters a strong professional network, with mentees welcomed into the Aspire family. 

 

Aspire’s mentorship and training program provides access to a community of experienced educators and ongoing professional development resources. 

 

Many of Aspire’s educators who have undertaken mentorship and training have been recognised for their hard work and efforts and have moved up within Aspire. 

 

This network and the skills gained through mentorship prepare teachers for a successful and fulfilling career in early childhood education.

 

Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten’s mentorship program is a testament to its commitment to both educators and children. By nurturing growth through tailored support and collaboration, Aspire not only enhances teaching excellence but also fosters a vibrant, skilled community of early childhood professionals.

 

Aspire’s mentorship and training program is key to the success of its centre teams, so they are equipped and full of the confidence they need to make the next steps in their career journey. 

 

If you want to join a committed, passionate and talented team of educators, teachers and support staff, apply to join Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten today! Visit Aspire’s Career Page to learn more, and to join the team.