“It’s just coming up to 50 years since the preschool was formed. The parents decided they wanted a preschool, so they got together, raised money, gained grants, bought land and built a preschool.
“I think that shows how much the community values early childhood education. They continue to support the preschool with fundraising now.
“During the past few years my second-generation children started coming. You know the parents reflect positively on their preschool experience and want the same experience for their child.”
Regarding changes in the profession over the years, regulations jump out.
“When I started there was not much at all. For programming, the themes were set out for the whole term, if not the whole year, with developmental checklists used to document the children’s progress.
“There’s been a move to a more emergent curriculum, more learning through play, more child-led or child-supported learning and programming.
“I think the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards are good documents. I think coming together with national regulations was a positive thing.
“Although having said that, I thought the first NSW curriculum framework was very good too.”
Kathy is also supportive of the relatively recent accreditation requirement for early childhood teachers to undertake ongoing professional development.
“I’m a lifelong learner. I’ve always been willing to seek out professional development, so that’s not really anything new for me.
“In a preschool in a small country town, it can be isolating, but organisations like the IEU, Early Childhood Australia and Community Connections Solutions Australia are important to provide advice and professional development.”
Kathy reflected on why she has been a continuous member of the IEU for 40 years: “I believe in the power of collective action and because I was employed by a committee of volunteer parents, I always wanted someone with professional guidance to have my back”.
“The IEU also provided invaluable assistance and expertise setting up enterprise agreements for teachers at Braidwood Preschool, after the modern award came in with deplorable wage rates and conditions for early childhood teachers.”
Kathy has worked as a teacher, educational leader and teacher/director, but she is now winding down with a two-day a week teacher position. She also enjoys looking after her 18-month-old grandson Ollie one day a week.
