Sonas Wattle Grove Centre Manager Cherie Crocker has become the first Sonas employee to graduate from Notre Dame University with an Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Development.
Cherie said the four-unit qualification had afforded her a greater level of understanding about the childcare sector and had helped her hone new skills, which she would integrate in her day-to-day work caring for and educating children at Sonas.
“It’s helped me in so many ways. It’s not only helped me further my own understanding and personal pedagogy, but also to teach my team aspects of what I have learnt and how it fits with our service philosophy and policies and practices.”
Cherie Crocker, Sonas Wattle Grove Centre Manager
Cherie, who has worked in childcare for eight years including three years at Sonas, was officially presented with the undergraduate certificate at a special graduation ceremony on December 16.
She has now applied to undertake the new Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Learning degree for educators working with children from birth to four years of age. The ‘birth-to-four’ course, which is the first tertiary qualification of its kind in WA, will be offered for the first time in 2023.
In 2021, Notre Dame launched the undergraduate certificate with four programs of study focusing on child development, supporting young children to learn through play, understanding and guiding young children’s behaviour; and creating learning environments to learn through play. Sixteen Sonas staff have taken up the course.
Cherie, a mother-of-three who works full-time, thanked Sonas management for their support in helping her to attain the undergraduate certificate, with allocated study time at work and financial incentives which would help cover the cost of fees.
“It’s helped me in so many ways. It’s not only helped me further my own understanding and personal pedagogy, but also to teach my team aspects of what I have learnt and how it fits with our service philosophy and policies and practices,” she said.
“The Bachelor degree will take me to the next level of my own learning and it’s more knowledge I can pass on to others and help build them up as educators, especially since we’re shaping a whole new industry.”
Completion of the four units makes Cherie eligible for a $2000 annual bonus – $500 for each completed unit – for her entire employment at Sonas.
“It’s an amazing opportunity and was always something I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how I would ever do it with work, raising a family and funding the cost. I also didn’t have the confidence in myself to do a uni degree.
“I feel so happy that I’ve done this first stage of study. I’m extremely proud of myself for not only being the first Sonas employee to complete the course but for being the first person in my family to graduate from uni.”
Sonas Owner Shelley Prendergast congratulated Cherie for her achievement saying it would benefit her career, her colleagues and the families who entrusted Sonas to care for and educate their children.
“Cherie is a dedicated and valued member of the Sonas team and we are so proud of her for completing this high-level course, not the least while working full-time and juggling the demands of raising three children herself,” she said.
Sonas Wanneroo hosted 7News Perth on December 21 to help Notre Dame University announce its new fast-track Bachelor of Early Childhood Learning and Education degree. See Cherie and Shelley on 7News story here.
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