12
- W I N T E R
Muswellbrook early childhood
educators CHANTAL SUTTON and LIZ
LALLY explain there is a lot more to
their job than meets the eye, but
they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why did you choose child care as a
career?
CHANTAL: Because I love children.
I always knew I wanted to be surrounded by
children, coming from a large family myself.
I am one of six (and the only girl) and I have
a very close relationship with my brothers.
My parents have shown me how important
it is to care for and look after others. LIZ: I
did work experience when I was in Year 10 at
a child care centre in Scone and I just knew
straight away that it was what I wanted to
do.
What is the best thing about
children?
CHANTAL: They’re so surprising,
the things that they come out with. They
put a smile on your face. LIZ: They are so
innocent and honest.
What are the challenges?
CHANTAL:
Children are at all different stages and
sometimes they can show some challenging
behaviour. It’s something you need to
work through with them. LIZ: The biggest
challenge is people’s perception of what
we do. It is hard to be taken seriously as an
educator when you say you work in a child
care centre. Things are improving though, I
think it is moving in the right direction.
What would you like people to
know about your job?
CHANTAL: That
it’s life changing. Being a child educator is
special and so rewarding. LIZ: There is more
to it than playing with children. There is
paperwork – lots of paperwork! Everything
must be documented.
Do you think early childhood
educators are undervalued?
CHANTAL: I do. We are thought of as
babysitters. People think you just play
with kids all day, but there is so much
more to it. LIZ: Absolutely, considering the
responsibility we have. A lot of people don’t
realise that long daycare and pre-school
have the same early learning curriculum.
The only difference is that we are open
longer hours.
What qualifications do you have?
CHANTAL: I studied my Certificate I and II
in Children’s Services while I was at school.
Then after school I moved to Cessnock
for six months to study Certificate III.
Now I have completed my Diploma. LIZ:
I completed my Diploma in Children’s
Services when I left school. Now I am
studying a Bachelor of Teaching.
Early childhood educators Liz Lally and Chantal Sutton love
their work at Muswellbrook Child Care Centre.
FUN AND GAMES,
AND SO MUCH MORE
CAREER
