Tegan Apperley

• I began working at Jumbunna Children’s Centre part time (3 days) from July 2019
• In 2020 I became the Room Leader for the Junior Preschool Room (Birth - 3 years)
• February 2021 after completing the Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood my employment changed to Early Childhood Teacher

My role involved:

• Training new staff members
• Mentoring trainees
• Reviewing and monitoring them implementation of policies and procedures
• Time management throughout the day, balancing aspects such as children's varying sleep schedules, meal times, nappies/toileting, staff breaks, planned experiences, documentation and programming
• Reading children's cues and ensuring that their needs are met
• Developing and implementing a play-based learning program that is built around children's interests
• Creating the learning program and environment to support children in a holistic manner across all areas of learning - social, emotional, literacy, numeracy, cognitive, physical, health and wellbeing
• Ensure that the learning program is underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards
• Assessing children's learning and development via observations and in communication with families
• Model positive behaviour and communication skills for children
• Organise activities to teach children foundational learning skills such as letters, numbers and social skills like turn-taking
• Supporting families in their role and identifying where children may require additional support and/or addressing concerns that families may have about their child
• Write developmental learning summaries for families to share with other professionals when there are concerns around a child’s development
• Supporting children to regulate and behaviour management
• Communicating with families around their child's day and their achievements
• Collaborating with families to consistently implement strategies to support a child's learning and development between home and preschool
• Collaborate with allied health professional such as speech therapist to develop learning goals and strategies for individual children
• Engaging team members in reflective discussion and exploring what is best practice and how to achieve it
• Ensuring adequate amounts of learning resources are available for children and that they are in good condition
• Creating a safe environment for all children both physically and emotionally
• Be aware of regulations and legislation for children's health and safety requirements
• Documenting and reporting potential and/or known abuse or neglect as a mandatory reporter
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in early childhood education for example Child Protection refresher and Transition to School Training
• Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness

May 2024, I stepped into the position of Temporary Educational Leader and Preschool Room Leader. Additional responsibilities include:

• Mentor Educators across the Centre around program development and implementation
• Oversee program for both Junior Preschool Room and Preschool Room
• Ensure policies and procedures are followed across the Centre.
• Complete Transition to School Statements
• Assisting the Centre Director
• Organising and managing staff when Director is away
• Liaison with community members to organise excursions and programs

My role involved:

• Time management and task prioritisation within a fast-paced environment
• Organise table configurations according to bookings, set the tables and ensure that the room, bar and bathroom were clean
• Alternate between roles of a waitress, bartender (restaurant), barista (cafe) and food preparation/assisting the cooks. This required me to assess the current needs, prioritise and act upon it independently
• Tasks also involved talking with customers and ensuring that they had an enjoyable experience or resolve complaints
• Clearly communicate within a team
• Remaining calm within a busy environment

• Casual shifts
• Take directions from and support Educators in their role
• Supervise children and engage in positive interactions