The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW is proud to spotlight educator and nominated supervisor Amy Cumming in the Summer 2018/2019 edition of The Nurture Nook (see page 18). Amy is one of the most amazing and talented educators ACA NSW has come across.

ACA NSW will spotlight an educator in every edition of The Nurture Nook as its "centrefold". Do you know of any other amazing and talented educators?

ACA NSW: What drew you towards working in early childhood education and care?

AMY CUMMING: My passion for this industry first came when I was an Au Pair for a family who lived in Italy. I taught the families one year old son nursery rhymes in English, counting 1-10 in English and we developed a lovely bond. After this experience I came back to Australia and found my place at 3 Bears Cottage Early Education Service. Over time the service has grown into a family where Educators value each other, support our ideas and talents. Being a smaller and more family orientated service I am lucky enough to watch and share in individual growth through one-on-one learning over our three rooms.

ACA NSW. What is your fondest story that makes you proud to be in your chosen vocation?

AMY CUMMING: August 4th is National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day, celebrated around Australia to signify how important our children are and valued in their learning environments. Our service wanted to focus on the positive role culture plays in children’s safety and wellbeing, and in support of this day I organised a visit from one of our Aboriginal families to read to the Preschool children. Our volunteer parent shared stories of weaving, family trips to Arnhem Land and memorable cultural experiences experienced with her family. Children explored raw materials such as clay, threading of loose parts, painting with twig branches or rocks for print making and Damper making.

ACA NSW: What is the biggest challenge you face as a Nominated Supervisor?

AMY CUMMING: As the Nominated Supervisor it is my responsibility to communicate on a daily basis with Educators about their concerns or issues in a respected and professional manner. As I have been in this role since 2015 I am more confident in my role but I am still progressing with identifying educators preferred communication styles, to respectfully approach the situation accordingly. I plan to attend professional development training to develop a deeper understanding and become a more effective communicator.

ACA NSW: What do you (really) think of your approved provider? Or what makes you stay on with your approved provider?

AMY CUMMING: The approved provider is our service Director, Renae Donovan, she has been an inspiring mentor, role model and friend who has guided me through the duties as Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader. Renae has encouraged me to be honest with my team, have an open mind when discussing or hearing their views, be a good listener and always provide my best professional feedback. Renae and I have a good professional relationship, we are working at the same level and complement each other’s weaker areas in this industry.

ACA NSW: If you could change anything in the early childhood education and care sector that would bring enormous benefits for children and their parents, what would that be?

AMY CUMMING: After attending an ACA NSW Network Meeting held with approved providers and directors held at our Coffs Harbour service, I am left questioning why are local council or better yet why is the Government allowing large corporate/chain centres to ‘pop up’ anywhere? Our service are neighbours to the large chain of Ohana Early Learning centres and I am confused as to why our local council would approve this without consideration for neighbouring early childhood centres in the same street. I feel strongly that our population of families in Coffs Harbour requiring care isn’t strong enough to support the increasing amount of childcare centres that have ‘popped up’ in the last twelve months. As a result families are left feeling disappointed in the system.