Belonging, Being and Becoming: Interview with Paulina Jagus

Belonging, Being and Becoming is a LinkedIn interview series which shares the career journeys of early childhood and oshc professionals currently working in the education industry.

Today's interview features Paulina Jagus, Director at Woden Valley Early Learning Centre. Thank you Paulina for participating in the latest Belonging Being and Becoming interview!

Interview with Paulina

?When and why did you start a career in childcare?

My biggest dream has always been to work in the early childhood education and care sector. I want to share my knowledge with others and help them discover their passion for working with children. Children are the foundation of our world and future, so we must provide them with the best opportunities to grow, learn and develop. My strengths are in leadership, management, and coaching and mentoring others. I am detail-oriented, and this quality has been helpful in running my own business with my partner.

I have worked in the sector since I started my studies at the MEGT Institute in Sydney. In November 2011, I worked as a casual Child Care Worker with MacArthur Agency. Then I was offered a position at Goodstart Early Learning Centre, first in Sydney, then in Canberra. I was then offered a position with Communities at Work Family Day Care and In-Home Care as a support coordinator, where I progressed to the position of an educational leader. In recognition of my qualification and skills, I was offered additional responsibilities, including facilitation and development of training for Family Day Care and delivery of Certificate III in Children’s Services. Further along my journey, I was offered the position of Director at Woden Valley ELC.

What's your philosophy on education and care?

My teaching philosophy is based on sustainable living in harmony with the natural environment. It is also influenced by Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Maria Montessori's approach to education.

Fundamental to the Early Years Learning Framework is a view of children's lives as characterised by belonging, being and becoming. As mentioned in Bowlby's theory, children are connected to primary caregivers from an early stage, where their development and learning take place through exploring these relationships, especially with families, who are considered the first and most influential teachers. Through developing a sense of belonging, children are starting to build on their interests, construct their own identities, and understand the world.

I strongly believe that exposing children to nature greatly enhances their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. By utilising the resources around them, children are able to explore their surroundings and expand their horizons. Outdoor play fosters important qualities such as resilience, self-confidence, initiative, and creativity. It also eliminates any limitations and presents endless possibilities for children of all ages. Conversely, children who are not allowed to play outside tend to suffer from high emotional distress and quickly lose focus. Outdoor play encourages children to be curious, develop problem-solving skills, and learn to respect others while ensuring their own safety.

?How would you describe your career journey?

I have had an interesting journey in early childhood education. While I was fortunate to have some amazing teachers, I also experienced mistreatment from large organizations. As a result, I initially swore off working in long daycare services. However, my love for this field drew me back in. My fondest memories are of my time with the Family Day Care and In-Home Care team. They not only helped me recover but also taught me the true meaning of early childhood education and helped me find my own identity.

What do you love most about your job and working for your current organisation?

My freedom. Sandi Phoenix taught me that my freedom cup is vast. If anything hinders my ability to fulfill it, it will affect my happiness and job satisfaction. Since day one, I have felt a sense of belonging at Woden Valley ELC. It is not just a workplace, but a place that feels like a family home, filled with genuine people and cherished memories. Its eclecticism reflects all of us.

?Who is your role model / who do you look up to in the early childhood sector in Canberra?

I haven't found a single role model who embodies all the qualities I aspire to. Instead, I've been influenced by every job I've had and every person I've worked with. They've all shaped my philosophy and leadership style. My first teacher at MEGT Institute and the director at GoodStart ELC in Marrickville were instrumental in fostering my passion.

These days, I look up to my assistant and lead educational leader, Tracey. She's taught me valuable people skills and I value her professional perspective. I often refer to her as my Sam, while I see myself as Frodo. From a professional standpoint, I greatly admire Delphine and Wendy from CECA for their knowledge, passion, and dedication to our sector. Toni Christie from Child Space NZ and Sandi Phoenix are equally impressive with their business model and boundless energy levels. They are all fantastic role models.

What is your proudest career achievement??

There are probably a few, but the one I feel most proud of is the leading of Woden Valley ELC during the COVID-19 pandemic. I not only managed to sustain all of our educators, ensuring their jobs were secure, but the Centre was also able to offer additional care to families from the Canberra hospital, as well as we progressed with the many exciting projects that highly contributed to our awards in the following years, as well as overall creation of strong embedded philosophy.

What has most contributed to your career success?

Instead of using my neurodiversity as an excuse, I use it to my advantage. I am extremely organized and self-motivated person. As a leader, I value educators and ensure that their voices are heard and respected in our Service. This creates a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. I highly recommend checking out the Fish! Philosophy, as it has transformed the way we approach our work.

What advice would you give someone looking to pursue a career in early childhood education?

Respect is not given; it's earned. Don't walk into your first job knowing everything. Put your head down, listen, learn and appreciate the feedback. Your qualifications do not reflect your knowledge, work ethic, professionalism, or passion. Working directly with children and quality, experienced educators will help you shape your teaching philosophy and guide your practice.

Do you have any projects or upcoming events coming up you would like to share?

At Woden Valley ELC, there is always something fresh and exciting going on. We enjoy taking on challenges and exploring new activities to keep our work engaging. Our latest endeavour is the well-being dog project, which we are fully dedicated to. You can learn more about it on our blog, Pedagogical Playbook.

In addition, we were fortunate to receive a grant to improve our Ngunnawal language proficiency. Our plan is to create a new picture book for children, but that's still a surprise for now.

About: With its stunning illustrations and intriguing heart-warming text, "My Promise" provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of children at their Early Learning Centre. The story is based on Woden Valley Child Care Centre’s philosophy that promotes opportunities for young children to learn and explore nature through hands-on experiences, recognising their connection, rights and responsibilities to the land, challenging their abilities, and finding a sense of self.

Thanks for reading this interview.

Want to be featured in the next Belonging Being & Becoming interview? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling?02 6132 3886.