Treating children like her own is the secret of Melissa’s success as an educator

Educator Melissa K is one of the many educators who were recently honoured in the Care for Kids Thank You Educators campaign, and says the secret of her success has been treating the children in her care like her own. 

 

“I know how I felt when I left my children in care,” she said. “Guilty, heartbroken and stressed about the care they were getting.” 

 

It’s these recollections which help Melissa in her work at Kids Club Oakdowns. As a mother of six, she is no stranger to being around children, but having that perspective is something which has helped her to be loving, caring and supportive, not only to children, but to their families too. 

 

The Care for Kids team spoke with Melissa about her career journey, an extract of which appears below. 

 

“I have always loved children since I was a little girl,” she said. “I love being able to care, love and support children and their families.”

 

Happy to work with children of all ages, Melissa says “every age is full of fun watching them learn and seeing the excitement on their little faces when they learn something new.”

 

When it comes to her advice for others considering working in the sector, she says “be passionate about your job. Respect families and children. Make sure the children are loved, safe and feel secure in our care. Treat children as our own while in our care.”

 

While working in early childhood education and care isn’t always easy, it has a lot of rewards, such as “being told by children they love me and getting precious cuddles from them,” Melissa said, (or) “when a parent has told me how they treasure the care I have given their child and made such an easy transition for them.”

 

“It is not an easy job but if you are a loving, caring, patient and passionate person who loves being loved, being dribbled on and being part of a team; it’s a perfect job,” she added. 

 

Learn more about Care for Kids here.