United Voice News
Walk in My Shoes an eye opening experience
Senator Kate Lundy has become the ACT’s first official childcare champion. On Monday the Senator for the ACT spent the morning “walking in the shoes” of childcare professionals at a Canberra childcare centre.” The experience has given this already committed supporter of LHMU’s Big Steps in childcare campaign a new-found respect for the challenges, rewards and sheer hard work of childcare professionals.
Members at Bruce Ridge Early Childcare Centre were excited Senator Lundy took time from the election campaign to learn first hand about their work. Her “Walk in My Shoes” experience began when Alyce, the Room Leader, introduced staff and children to Kate, as the children called her. Then came a briefing on National Childcare Accreditation Council expectations and Licensing requirements for long day care. Although these are extensive, this was the easy part.
The “real” work was a typical mix of tasks occurring in childcare centres across the country. Kate held a group time where she read “We’re going on a bear hunt” to thirteen junior preschoolers, (three year olds). She then supervised them in the bathroom while they washed their hands ready for morning tea, supervised morning tea and cleaned up afterwards.
Next Kate delivered a shaving foam sensory experience to groups of four children at a time. The children, and Kate, mixed different colours into the shaving foam and then used the foam as finger paint. Kate then packed away and cleaned up.
By the time goodbyes and thanks were exchanged it was very clear the “Walk in My Shoes” was a success. Senator Lundy says seeing what happens behind the scenes in childcare has been a humbling experience: she now has a better insight into the specialist skills of childcare professionals. And the staff are delighted to have won the support of a parliamentarian who is a committed childcare champion.
Photos: Senator Kate Lundy on the job at Bruce Ridge Early Childhood Centre
Read the Childcare Champions Charter signed by Senator Kate Lundy
