Family day care (FDC) coordinator Mariam Shahid, who works Bright Sun Family Day Care in Hoppers Crossing, been selected as one of four finalists for a national industry award. She chats with Alesha Capone.
Roughly how long have you been working in children’s education and family day care? And roughly how long have you worked at Bright Sun Family Day Care?
I have started my career in early childhood as Family Day Care coordinator with Bright Sun Family Day Care almost three and half years ago.
What made you want to work in the field – why did you decide to pursue a career in education and family day care?
Being a migrant women and young mother without any family support here in Australia, I was after a career which offers a culturally safe environment and flexible work arrangements, so early childhood education and care is the right choice for me.
During my diploma of early childhood education and care I discovered my passion for providing quality education and care to children and how as a professional I can play a significant role to lay the foundation of lifelong learning, education and discovery.
Soon after the completion of my studies, I was offered a role as FDC coordinator and haven’t looked back since then.
I love that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. I work full-time on a flexible schedule, both in and out-of-office, and my director trusts me to produce high-quality work and results.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I am a people person and working as FDC coordinator has offered me an opportunity to work with educators, children, and families from diverse backgrounds. I have met some wonderful people through this job.
In my role every day is different, and it is a constant adventure.
The diversity of the work that I do ensures that no day is like any other, dealing with potential educator’s inquires, registration and induction of educators, initial home safety assessment, monitoring and support visits to educator’s approved FDC residences, dealing with parents, placement of children are some of the key duties I perform as FDC coordinator.
I am always focused on ensuring quality outcomes for children, educators and families, which makes me feel good when the day is done. Another important aspect of my role is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of educators, children and families.
Our service is working with Be You to develop a positive, inclusive and resilient learning community where every child, young person, educator and family can achieve their best possible mental health.
Do you work with a lovely group of people and families at Bright Sun Family Day Care?
I am fortunate to be a part of a team where everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the excellence in Family Day care.
My director Dr Amsha Nahid is not only my boss but my mentor as well. She pushes me to challenge myself in my career. I love having a voice and she listens to my ideas and our coordination unit then works together to implement those ideas.
My fellow coordinators Huma, Rumaisa, Amber and Sarwat always support, encourage, and guide me which has helped me achieve many professional milestones. They are not only my colleagues, but I also consider them as part of my family.
Our team works with almost 90 FDC educators based across several locations in Melbourne who are committed to quality children’s education and care.
Together we form a very successful partnership and a strong team in leading the education of children in a home environment.
How do you feel to be named a finalist in the Excellence in Family Day Care Awards? Have you ever received an award like this before, or is this a first for you?
I am honoured and grateful for being selected as a national finalist in the 2021 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards among a group of such incredibly talented women. The fact that my hard work has been recognised is an excellent morale-booster that will encourage me to continue doing my best work.
With so many FDC services and early childhood professionals around you, it becomes easy to believe the work that you’re doing is going unnoticed. But this nomination means that my hard work, dedication and demanding schedule of being an FDC coordinator pays off.
It’s my first award as early childhood professional however I have received academic scholarships during my studies back home in Pakistan.
Is it nice to finally be getting “back to normal” (or as normal as can be) after the past two years of COVID restrictions and lockdowns, which have impacted upon children’s education and family day care across Australia?
Yes, definitely.
COVID-19 has highlighted the critical importance of early childhood education and care sector including Family Day Care. As ‘essential workers’ we have helped keep businesses, communities and families functioning, and children learning, throughout the pandemic.
Family Day Care sector has emerged as the most agile early childhood education care type in supporting children, families, essential workers, and the economy in the face of a social and economic crises.
There was sustained attendance throughout the pandemic as Family Day Care educators offer flexible sessions and non-standard hours care, including weekends and overnights, which is particularly important for essential front-line workers.
Do you have any advice for people wanting to study, or get into, children’s education and family day care?
If you are passionate about working with children and want to play a part in shaping their future while running your own business from home then Family Day Care is an exciting, flexible and rewarding career opportunity. Family day care offers unique benefits to children and families such as:
• The flexible and natural home learning environment
• The small group settings
• Authentic and long-lasting bonds created between educators, children and families
You can find more information regarding this on Family Day Care Australia website.
Would you like to add anything else?
I hope that the nomination will inspire and encourage my mentees as well as young women and girls of colour. I encourage them to pursue their passion no matter what obstacles they face.
This experience has motivated me to share my story and knowledge with even more women looking to grown in the early childhood sector.
Last but not the least a special thanks to my family and all the educators who have nominated me for this award as it wouldn’t be possible without them.
