Samara takes advantage of scholarship to enhance her ECEC career

Taking on a university qualification after over 20 years in a role is no small task, but it’s one Samara Lake is ready, accepting a scholarship from the NSW Government to put her on the path to being an early childhood teacher (ECT).

Samara has been an educator for 22 years, and is currently working at Gumnut Cottage Long Daycare Centre while studying her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Charles Sturt University. 

Having wanted to undertake her ECT qualification for quite some time, the scholarship opportunity has allowed her to “turn the dream to reality” by helping to fund course fees, textbooks and technology resources – elements of a tertiary education which had previously been out of reach.

“This scholarship provided the security net I was looking for,” she said.

She was inspired to undertake a career in ECEC based on her strong memories of her own time in preschool, the friends she made, and the activities she loved, like dancing, painting and sewing.

“After 22 years of living my dream as an Early Childhood educator, I still love every single day and the relationships I’ve built over the years,” she added. 

“These relationships go beyond work relationships, they become family.We know how important it is that children have safe and secure relationships to develop a strong sense of belonging, community and to engage with learning.” 

She encouraged other ECEC professionals to seek opportunities to upskill and grow. 

“Educators advocate for children’s learning and progression every day; we should be doing this for ourselves, capturing and celebrating our own learning and milestones.”

Applications for the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships and Early Childhood Education Scholarships are now open until 12 September 2022. Find more information on the scholarships webpage.