New YMCA Early Learning Centre Mernda manager, Ajani Wadood is passionate about early childhood education.
What is your connection to Mernda?
I am manager of the new YMCA Early Learning Centre in Mernda. I have been a kindergarten teacher in the area, which has given me a connection to the community and local families.
Do you live in the area?
I live near Wollert. Since moving here, I have been interested in getting to know our local community.
How long have you worked in early childhood education?
I have been in the early childhood field for about 10 years. I used to be a computer engineer when I was living in England.
Why did you choose the early childhood field?
After I gave birth to my first daughter, Mariyam, I was fascinated about all the little things she could do with her tiny mind, and changed my career to early childhood. I wanted to study child psychology, so I did my diploma and moved to Australia to complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching. After being a kinder teacher, I only wanted to work with children in early childhood. The connection we make with children stays with us forever, and all the children that have been in my class have left a part of them in me.
What do you enjoy about your work?
Well firstly, I have my two daughters Mariyam (11) and Amani (6). Every child is different, and part of what I love about my job is that I get to help each one discover their own strengths and talents, and nurture those traits. Children just have this innocent vibe about them, their imagination and wonder at this world is amazing. Their simple state of mind is sometimes all you need to solve most of the problems in this world.
What can people expect from the new YMCA childcare centre at Mernda?
We provide an all-inclusive educational approach, which is called the reggio emilia approach. This is a holistic approach for learning … the child is seen as a person, and respected. We are a community hub with access to two maternal health nurses. Being on the same premises as a school enables us to create a smooth transition from kinder to school, which is better for the emotional and educational wellbeing of our children. There is everything from big rocks that children can climb and jump on, to bark to give children the sense of connection with nature.
