Over the past 12 months, 49 students in years 10-12 from government and non-government schools across Victoria participated in the Introduction to Early Childhood for School Students program at Gowrie at The Harbour. 

The four-week program, led by Program Manager Sue Plowright and facilitated by several Gowrie trainers, gave students a taste of what working in the early childhood sector looks like through a series of workshops, discussions and observable practices one day per week. 

The most recent program in October included 22 students from government schools across metro and regional areas. Over the four weeks, the students learnt about working with babies and toddlers; play-based learning and planning, preparing and delivering an experience with children; and a careers expo with representatives from CityLLEN, Headstart and Gowrie’s People and Culture team. 

Sue explained the purpose of the program is to broaden the perspective of high school students who are considering career pathways, by showcasing the fulfilling and rewarding nature of a career in early childhood. “The early childhood sector is growing, and so we want to give the students some hands-on experience and knowledge of what a day in the life of an early childhood educator looks like and that working in early childhood can be a rewarding career,” says Sue. 

Participants of the program enjoyed their experience, with one expressing that they really want to have a career in early childhood, and another saying they’d like to undertake a school-based traineeship with Gowrie. Here’s what some of the other participants had to say: 

“Amazing. Love the work and effort the teachers put into this program. Love how the activities are not boring and very interactive. My highlight of the day was playing and engaging with the children.” – Participant 

“I love the dancing/music activities, I also love the hands on activities, playing with the children was lots of fun and I loved the advice on how to talk to them.” – Participant 

“Nothing would have made it better except having more days with the friends I’ve made here.” – Participant