Embracing Internal Opportunities At Only About Children

Rebecca Battenally from our Brighton East campus shares her story of progression at Only About Children.

What opportunities to move internally have you had during your career at Only About Children?

When I first began at Melbourne Central I was in a float position in their toddler space. In this role, I had the opportunity to work with some incredibly inspiring educators. This gave me the confidence and ability to progress into a primary care educator role. Then onto Room Leader and Assistant Director. I also supported our  Hawthorn and Southbank campuses for a couple of short-term opportunities.

At the start of 2021, the opportunity to support Altona North’s Director presented yet another chance to mentor and support a whole team in a Director position. The team were so warm and welcoming, and I quickly made a new family at this campus. This kicked off my career as a Director! I have been supporting Brighton East since May 2021.

I’m grateful for Only About Children’s ongoing support and belief in my abilities. I have never been short of opportunities to progress, learn and develop my skills as an educator and manager.

What do you love most about your job?

The opportunity I have to provide a fun, inspiring and engaging environment for the team. It feels like yesterday that I was an educator on the floor. I remember all too well how demanding each day is for educators. I let that experience and those memories guide me, consciously considering how it feels from my team members point of view. It’s important to make my team feel valued and offer them opportunities to expand their careers.

What makes working at Only About Children so special?

I was drawn to the standard Only About Children set for educators. We are driven and inspired each day. We are not just babysitters or carers but individuals who each day are given the chance to plant the seed of lifelong learning.

What advice would you give to someone looking to take their next step in their career?

Just say yes to the opportunities, to the journey, to everything! You never know where it will take you.

Read more about careers with Only About Children Oac’s unique Education Assistance Program and Cassie’s career growth at Only About Children