June 26, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
A feeling of “wow” flows through Jacquie Tapau and her Gundoo Day Care staff in Cherbourg every day.
Their life’s problems – if they have them – cease to exist as soon as they’re greeted by the sea of children’s faces aged from six weeks to five years.
“The staff say any negative feelings they might have just go swish and melt away,” Gundoo director Ms Tapau said.
“I think it’s because of the children’s innocence. They don’t see bad, colour or anything.
“You can be having a miserable time in your private life but to see them makes it all go away.”
It puts a smile on all 15 of her staff’s faces, who feel rewarded by seeing the children thrive and achieve as they complete activities, including painting, collage, singing, reading, playing and telling stories.
If it sounds like a lot of fun, it is.
But now Ms Tapau wants to take Gundoo to the next step.
She has just completed a month of practical work at Cherbourg State School as part of a teaching degree she hopes to gain next year.
Ms Tapau was placed in the pre-prep class and realised how much children have to know under the new National Curriculum adopted by Queensland last year.
Pre-prep students aged 4-5 years now learn the sounds of letters, number recognition, sight words, colours and how to write their names.
In the past, many children would not have had to do this until they were one or two years older.
It was an eye-opener for her and she now wants to form a partnership with the school.
“It has a high expectation of the children and we need to incorporate the same attitude,” she said.
Her plan is to have Gundoo staff spend time within the pre-prep classes and take what they learn back to their children.
The centre may even change its name to include the words “Early Learning Centre”.
“People see Gundoo as a child-minding centre but it’s a lot more,” Ms Tapau said.
“It’s a child education centre.
“The first five years of a child’s life is critical. They’re sponges. They soak up everything in the first five years and it prepares them for a life of learning.
“If they don’t get the learning they need before they start pre-prep, the work they’ll do at school is hard.
“They play catch up and the joy of learning is lost. That’s the worst thing that can happen.
“We want our kids to enjoy their learning so they can enjoy life.”
Apart from learning their ABCs, day care is fantastic for building children’s social and emotional well-being.
Youngsters learn to interact with other children, take turns, handle conflict in an acceptable manner, be independent, and have adults who act as great role models.
All Gundoo staff have a Certificate III in childcare and many are working towards, or already have, a Certificate IV, Diploma or teaching degree.
“Knowledge is power,” Ms Tapau said.
“The staff we have are role models within our community and work to make a difference.
“What they do prepares our children for a stronger, smarter future that will make this community happier.
“It’s what makes this job so worthwhile.”
[Photo: Marcus Priaulx]
