Teacher’s Day was an unforgettable occasion for Skool4Kidz Educarer Ms Anna. She was interviewed by leading local news stations and national newspapers to share her experience as a mid-career switcher.
Ms Anna left her previous job in the tourism industry to join the Early Childhood sector. It was a journey full of trepidation – and ultimately, fulfilment and satisfaction!
When interviewed by Channel NewsAsia (CNA), she shared that the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of the tourism industry. Amid the uncertainty, she considered a career switch when she came across a TV advertisement showcasing workshops on the Early Childhood industry. She enrolled in the Career Conversion Program (CCP) for Infant and Early Years Educators, organised by Workforce Singapore (WSG).
Ms Anna is eager to learn everything she needs to do well in this job and determined to succeed in her career switch.
Ms Anna joined the Place and Train programme offered by Skool4Kidz Preschools, starting out as an Infant Educarer Trainee in July 2021. She then attended the Advanced Certificate in Early Years (ACEY) course from July 2021 to May 2022.
She described the switch as challenging at first, having to care for children as young as 2 months old. This was a major departure from her previous, mostly-adult working environment.
“Handling children requires a lot more patience. Sometimes they can be quite mischievous and unwilling to listen!” she said.
The Best Kind of Reward
Ms Anna said she built confidence in handling young children thanks to her fellow educators and centre principal. The interpersonal skills she acquired in the tourism industry helped her to work closely with parents and other community stakeholders.
Ms Anna relishes each of her children’s developmental milestones with them and considers it a true privilege to watch them grow up well.
Ms Anna shared a heart-warming story of a girl in her infant class. This girl was very quiet in school at first and would not talk or interact with other children. One day, her mother told Ms Anna that “my girl keeps talking about you. Teacher Anna says this, Teacher Anna says that!” The girl had even started using her own spoon to eat, after previously refusing to touch it and needing to be fed.
She said that seeing the children’s smiles has made her career switch worthwhile. “It is physically and mentally tiring, but it’s all worth it to see them grow,” she said.
Ms Anna’s advice to mid-career switchers into Early Childhood is that they must love children and be willing to spend time learning and growing with them.
Thank you to Channel NewsAsia, CNA938 Radio, Mediacorp Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U and Suria for featuring our educarer in the local press. See more here:
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