Dual success celebrated for educators from Eugowra Community Children’s Centre

The team at Eugowra Community Children’s Centre (ECCC) are celebrating the success of two of its members, Director Raewyn Molloy and educator Terri Van Tempest, in the recent Central West Early Childhood Awards.

Ms Molloy won the Samara Golding-Piper Memorial Award for Excellence in Leadership, while Ms Van Tempest was named as the winner of the Molly Ticehurst Memorial Award for Outstanding Certificate III Early Childhood Educator.

Beginning her journey in early childhood education and care (ECEC) as a trainee, Ms Molloy has undertaken significant professional growth, completing her Diploma, a Bachelor qualification in early childhood and then an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management, and said there is no career quite like ECEC. 

“This is the age (where children) build the foundations, develop social skills, participate and learn through play base learning, make friends and develop independence-confidence,” she shared with local news source Forbes Advocate.

“There is nothing more rewarding than assisting a child to discover, learn, experiment and build relationships. Sharing of knowledge and guiding others over the years has been very rewarding, seeing someone who is very shy grow into a confident individual.”

Implementing a trainee program in her service has proven a valuable opportunity for locals, like Ms Van Tempest, to enter the ECEC sector, to develop their confidence, build knowledge, and grow in their skillset, she continued.

While the ECEC sector is facing staffing challenges, leaders such as Ms Molloy play a vital role not only in assisting children to develop and become confident individuals ready to undertake the next stage of their education, but also in building and growing the workforce which will support them to do so. 

ECCC was destroyed by flooding on November 14, 2022, but today has 17 staff and 54 children enrolled. Once the permanent facilities for the service have been rebuilt, the team has plans to expand.

“These have thrown many challenges and a new way of thinking outside the box as ECCC continues its journey to rebuild, supporting the local communities that access the service,” Ms Molloy said. 

“Leadership is a journey, and you never stop learning. Supporting and guiding others is a privilege that we can all strive for. It is a privilege to be able to care for, guide and educate children.”

Ms Van Tempest was honoured by her award, which is named in honour of early childhood educator Molly Ticehurst, who was lost to domestic violence. 

Two and a half years into her career journey, she has no regrets about entering the sector, and is thriving in her role working with four and five year old children in the year before school. 

“I love sitting with them, building relationships with them, just have the silly conversations and have fun with them – play-based learning is a big part of my educating style,” she said, saying that while farewelling her young charges to the world of school is tough, she is proud of their progress, and knows that they are ready. 

“To see the growth from the start of the year to now, it’s amazing,” she said. “How much they’ve changed and grown and the knowledge they’ve picked up in that short amount of time … they’re all going to go so well next year.”

Her advice to others considering stepping into the ECEC space is to take the leap. 

“It’s an amazing career to be in – I haven’t looked back, I’m glad I took that step and I wish I had made it sooner,” she said.

Read the original coverage of this story here.