Olivia joined Ambrose with a genuine interest in working with children. Encouraged by her sister, who was already working with the organisation, she applied for a part-time role and began her career in Outside School Hours Care.

With only some babysitting experience before joining Ambrose, Olivia quickly embraced opportunities to learn and build her confidence in working with children. Through practical experience and guidance from colleagues, she developed her skills in supporting children, building relationships and managing behaviours in positive and effective ways.

As her confidence grew, so did her responsibilities. She took on additional shifts, increased her working hours and progressed into a Responsible Person role, where she began developing her leadership capabilities.

Embracing Leadership

A significant milestone in Olivia’s career came when she applied for an Assistant Coordinator position. While she was not successful in securing the role at that time, she was offered the opportunity to step into an Educational Leader position.

Rather than viewing the outcome as a setback, Olivia saw it as a chance to continue developing her skills. Through her experience as an Educational Leader and participation in Ambrose’s leadership induction program, she gained valuable knowledge in leadership, administration and service quality improvement.

Her commitment to growth and learning was recognised by her leaders, and in her fourth year with Ambrose she successfully secured an Assistant Coordinator position. Around the same time, she also commenced her Diploma of School Age Care and Education through Ambrose, continuing to invest in her professional development.

Reflecting on her journey, Olivia is particularly proud of how far she has come and the opportunities she has embraced along the way.

“Working at Ambrose has made me enjoy work every day. It has great opportunities for career growth, and you are always encouraged to continue your learning and education.”

Learning Every Step of the Way

Continuous learning has played an important role in Olivia’s development. Starting with little experience in the sector, she has built her skills through practical experience, professional development and formal study.

One of the most valuable learning opportunities she highlights is training in the PBS4L framework, which strengthened her ability to support children through positive behaviour strategies. The training helped her build stronger relationships with children and increased her confidence in behaviour management.

Building Confidence and Connection

Over the past four years, Olivia has developed strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills. She credits much of this growth to the supportive environment at Ambrose and the encouragement she has received from colleagues and leaders.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is building meaningful relationships with children and families. Knowing she can have a positive impact on children’s lives as they learn and grow gives her a strong sense of purpose and motivation.

Balance, Support and Career Growth

Alongside her career progression, Olivia values the flexibility Ambrose provides. The split-shift structure allows her to balance work, study, family commitments and personal time while continuing to grow professionally.

“While working at Ambrose, I have really enjoyed the split shift. Working in the morning, having a break, and then working again in the afternoon allows me time for appointments, seeing friends and family, working on my diploma, and having a rest before the afternoon.”

From a new educator with limited experience to a confident Assistant Coordinator and emerging leader, Olivia’s story highlights the opportunities available through hard work, ongoing learning and a supportive workplace culture.