At the heart of quality education and care at Mary MacKillop Childcare North Queensland centres are the dedicated educators. This month we meet Barb Skinner from our Shaw Kindy.
My interest in early childhood education started from high school when I did work experience at the local Kindergarten in the small country town where grew up.
I remember the excitement and apprehension that I felt upon ending high school and being accepted into teacher’s college.
I had to move away from family and friends and the studies that followed have led to a rich and fulfilling teaching career that has spanned some decades, a few States and many different employment opportunities. These experiences have resulted in the teacher that I am today.
I have always been committed to being proactive in ongoing training, including successfully pursuing and attaining further tertiary studies to remain current and on-point with practice delivery and knowledge.
Throughout the years and with multiple moves involved; I have had a variety of teaching positions with an extensive focus on community-based and not-for-profit organisations.
All positions focused on Early Childhood Education and Care and engaging with children in a multitude of kindergarten, preschool and early education groupings. I have, as a result, had the experience of a very broad range of settings, happenings, expectations and practice delivery.
In all my teaching positions, I have strived to make learning fun, engaging and supportive of all children and their learning and developmental needs and interests.
This year has seen me commence with MMCNQ where I am currently teaching in a Kindergarten setting at St Benedict’s Kindergarten and Care, Shaw.
It has been my privilege to be part of the growth, education and development of a great group of children and families who are engaged in a kindergarten program which is underpinned by the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG).
I work with a wonderful group of highly qualified early childhood educators who support, extend and focus on all children’s individual learning needs. All within a fun and vibrant modern learning environment and setting. The service has strong ties with St Benedict’s Catholic School and enjoys a high level of involvement with the larger school environment – so important in building supportive and strengthening transition processes and rituals for young children and their families.
To find out more about Kindergarten, contact 4726 3299. Enrolments for 2022 are now being taken across all MMCNQ Kindergarten programs.
