From School Student to Nominated Lead Educator | Meet Kayla
A candid Q&A with a Diploma traineeship student who is proof that the right support can change everything.
Kayla is a hardworking student currently completing her Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care as a Traineeship. Kayla started with MCIE when she was in school, she completed her Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care and now moved onto her Diploma and is close to graduating. Not every career journey starts with a plan. Sometimes it starts with looking after younger siblings and realising, with quiet certainty, that caring for children is exactly what you were meant to do. That was Kayla’s story. A school student who joined MCIE through a VET in Schools placement, she has now worked her way through her Certificate III, stepped up to the Diploma, and is on the cusp of graduating as a Nominated Lead Educator. We sat down with Kayla to hear her story in her own words.
Kayla’s story is one of consistency, courage, and the right support at the right time. At MCIE, traineeships are designed to give students exactly that a structured, well-supported pathway into a meaningful career, whether they are 16 years old completing their first school placement or an adult ready to step into a leadership role.
What makes an MCIE traineeship different
- Dedicated trainer support with regular monthly check-ins
- Clear study planning integrated with your workplace hours
- Nationally recognised qualifications: Certificate III through to Diploma of ECEC
- Pathway from school-based placement to full career progression
- Genuine pastoral support: MCIE doesn’t leave students waiting
- Earn a real wage from day one even while still in school
What were you doing before your traineeship, and what made you consider childcare?
I was still in school. I had younger siblings at home, and looking after them made me realise how much I loved being around children. I genuinely wanted to be someone who takes great care of them. When my school coordinator told us about the traineeship opportunity, I just knew it was right for me. I started during school, then continued as an adult trainee to finish my Certificate III. Later, my MCIE trainer encouraged me to go further and take on the Diploma. Now I’m almost finished and I feel incredibly grateful. Without my school mentor, MCIE, and my trainer, I wouldn’t be where I am today; a nominated Lead Educator.
Were you nervous about starting with no experience?
Yes, very nervous. I still remember the day I received the enrolment email from MCIE. Then my trainer came to visit with all the work placement books and the Karen Keath resources, and she walked me through everything step by step. She made it feel manageable. I still have those books. Through the training sessions, I learned the protocols; how to handle different situations, how to communicate positively. I even remember my first Incident Form. I was scared to complete it, but my Lead Educator and trainer helped me understand that documentation is there for everyone’s safety. That completely shifted my mindset and built my confidence.
Did the support from MCIE actually make a difference?
Absolutely. From day one, MCIE explained the study rules clearly and helped me plan my study hours around my work at the service. When I reached out to Maryann about starting the Diploma and requesting a trainer, she was so welcoming. My trainer was always supportive and open about my hours. She made sure I stayed on track every single month, which is a requirement of the traineeship. I saw what it looked like when that support was missing. A colleague of mine from another organisation waited and waited for her trainer to follow up. She didn’t get the support she needed and eventually left the course halfway through. That made me realise just how much MCIE’s consistent follow-through mattered. They never left me waiting.
What does a typical day look like as a Trainee Educator?
Honestly, it now feels like I’ve always been an educator. But if I reflect back. When you have the right team around you, your service, your school, your trainer — every day feels like a learning day. There is a lot of positive energy, and you grow without even realising it.
Are you earning whole you study & is the pay enough?
At the start, I was under 18 and working two days a week. Getting paid while studying felt amazing like genuine pocket money that I had earned myself. After finishing my Cert III I moved to full-time, and I’m happy with where I am. Like most people, you always hope for more as you grow, but the traineeship structure made it possible to start earning from the very beginning, which was really important.
“The best part is when children feel safe with you. That feeling is priceless.”
