Learn more about Vanessa
What are you studying?
I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Care, Birth to Five.
How did you hear about the Fraser Foundation?
I came across the Fraser Foundation while looking online for scholarship opportunities to support my studies.
How does it feel to be the recipient of a Fraser Foundation scholarship?
I was really grateful to receive the scholarship. Personal circumstances had made pursuing further study difficult for quite a long time, so having that support has taken a lot of pressure off and made studying much more manageable while continuing to work.
What inspired you to pursue a career as an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT)?
Over my years of working in early childhood education and care, I’ve seen how much the early years can shape a child’s confidence, identity, wellbeing and love of learning. I already have a strong interest in curriculum, pedagogy and supporting other educators, and further study will allow me to deepen my knowledge and continue strengthening the work I already do. In the future, I’d also like to move into educational leadership and have an even greater influence on practice across a service.
What are the best and most challenging parts of working with young children?
The best part for me is that every child is different, so there is never one approach that works for everyone. I enjoy getting to know each child, understanding what works for them and adapting my approach to support their learning, development and wellbeing. I also really value the relationships you build with children and being able to see their growth over time. Another part I enjoy is supporting other educators to better understand individual children and think more deeply about how they respond to their needs.
One of the more challenging parts is advocating for the value of early childhood education, particularly when families have different expectations around school readiness. Families can sometimes expect learning to look quite formal, such as sitting children down to practise or recite letters and numbers, when in early childhood children learn these skills through play and their everyday experiences, alongside other important areas such as social and emotional development, communication, independence and confidence.