Training For You Graduate Heads Private Preschool
September, 2019
Thirteen years ago, Julianna Barnes took her first steps towards being an early childhood educator. Now, she is Head Teacher and Licensee of Whanganui’s Juni Uni Pre-school, a private preschool facility catering for children aged 2-5 years.
Julianna originally explored early childhood education by participating in a STAR (Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource) programme with Training For You, while she was still attending Whanganui High School. STAR programmes provide a ‘taster’ opportunity for secondary students one day a week, at a training provider of their choice.
After finishing school, Julianna enrolled with Training For You for a full time course of study, completing the (then named) National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care, Level 3. The 20-week course at Training For You provides an introduction to the knowledge and skills involved in the education and care of infants, toddlers and children in New Zealand. Graduates of the programme gain 60 credits, and are awarded an NZQA-approved New Zealand Certificate. During the course, students gain practical hands-on experience in a local ECE Centre to realise their potential as a trainee early childhood educator. As well, the course provides essential learning for those who want to move on to higher education in the subject, as Julianna did.
Julianna graduated from the Training For You course, then went on to complete the Level 4 ECE qualification through Workforce Development. She reflects, “Definitely, completing Level 3 through Training For You, and then Level 4 through Workforce Development was the foundation, in knowledge and experiences - like work placements, and coming in to centres. You get the chance to go into a centre and see the runnings, and be a part of that”.
A couple of roles in retail and hospitality followed, then a year spent working as a self-employed home-based educator with Paua Early Childhood Home Based Care. By then she was ready to return to study, commencing a Bachelor in Teaching, Level 7. “I believe life is all about experience – doing things for the opportunity and the experience. She laughs, “Any opportunity, I would grab. I had always wanted to do the Bachelor in Teaching - I always wanted to teach - but other opportunities popped up and I just grabbed them.”
While studying her Bachelors degree, Julianna completed student placement hours with TopKids Harrison Street. Relieving work followed, and in the second year of her study, she was offered a full-time position with TopKids. Julianna acknowledges, “They’ve supported me through this journey.”
When her qualification was completed, Julianna continued working at TopKids, before going on maternity leave. At that time, Juni Uni was establishing itself in Whanganui and Julianna saw another opportunity; “I do love a challenge - I’ll take on a challenge.” When Juni Uni opened in January 2018, Julianna was a founding staff member. Starting from small beginnings with just one child, the centre now has a role of 26, with a license for 42. Julianna was the first teacher employed, and now has two colleagues alongside her, Vanessa and Melissa, who are also fully registered teachers.
Another staff member, Eden Henare, is also a Training For You graduate of the Level 3 qualification. She has since completed the New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education, at Level 5 with Whanganui UCOL. Eden joined Juni Uni as a student on placement, and now works part time at the preschool as a reliever. She will take on a full-time role covering Vanessa’s upcoming maternity leave, before returning to UCOL next year to continue her studies towards a Bachelor of Teaching also. While studying, she will likely continue to do her placement hours with Juni Uni. Says Julianna, “We’re family-orientated. We have very strong family values here. Accommodating students is a part of that. We have a wonderful team here.”
The Training For You programme has a good track record of students moving on to higher learning following completion at Training For You: one of Eden’s classmates at Training For You (and one before her) also completed the Level 5 Diploma at UCOL, and there are currently another four recent Training For You graduates who are working through the Level 5 Diploma now – three at Whanganui UCOL and one at Vision College in Hamilton.
Julianna and the team at Juni Uni have been assisting Training For You with student placements for early childhood education trainees. Julianna observes, “We’re very into supporting students, and supporting the community. They’re the next teachers-to-be.”
Michaela Newman, Early Childhood Education Tutor at Training For You, appreciates the hands-on experience that trainees gain from working alongside qualified educators, “I truly value our local centres who support our students through this important component of their certificate. Work placement is an opportunity for our students to experience working alongside children and teachers in a safe and supported learning environment.”
At Juni Uni, the children enjoy the company of student trainees. Julianna observes, “I think because we’ve built a centre that has a good relationship with our family and whānau and community, that our children are very welcoming to students - and quite accepting.”
Julianna has been teaching for eight years now, and is a good role model in her sector for the practice of supporting trainees; “We love having students. They’re here to support us as well – they are an extra hand. And we hope that we give them something to take back as well.”
