We love celebrating the incredible educators who make a difference every day. This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Naomi M, a passionate Diploma Qualified Educator from Queensland, whose journey into early childhood education is nothing short of inspiring.
From Trainee to Thriving Educator
Naomi began her early childhood journey in 2024 as a trainee, and within just one week, she stepped into the role of Lead Educator in a toddler room. With a diverse background as a Sunday School Leader, gymnastics instructor, personal trainer, massage therapist, and most importantly, a mum and stepmum to five beautiful girls, Naomi brought a wealth of transferable skills into the classroom.
Her love for theatre, singing and dancing naturally translated into engaging, joyful learning experiences for children, making her feel as though she had “always belonged” in the early learning sector.
After completing her traineeship in just six months, Naomi continued her studies with determination, finishing her Diploma in Early Childhood Education by the end of last year.
What Sparked Her Passion for Early Learning
Naomi’s inspiration came close to home. After enrolling her two stepdaughters in a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and helping them secure roles in the industry, her husband noticed the excitement and spark it ignited in her.
The very next day, much to his surprise, Naomi enrolled in a traineeship herself and stepped into a full-time role, marking the beginning of a fulfilling new career.
Why Naomi Chose Save Our Service
While Naomi loved her role as a Lead Educator, she reached a point where flexibility became important. With her youngest daughter starting high school, Naomi wanted to be more present during this important transition.
Save Our Service offered the flexibility she needed without stepping away from the work she loves, making SOS the perfect fit for her next chapter.
A Supportive Start with SOS
Joining SOS was Naomi’s first experience with agency work, and it exceeded her expectations.
From the very first conversation, the SOS team took the time to understand her needs, ensured all qualifications and certifications were in place, and had her ready to work within 24 hours. After experiencing another agency later on, Naomi truly appreciated how smooth and supportive the SOS onboarding process was in comparison.
First Placement Confidence
Walking into her first centre placement, Naomi admits she felt nervous, but those nerves quickly faded. She was warmly welcomed by the team, supported every step of the way, and treated like part of the family.
That experience gave her the reassurance she needed and confirmed that moving into agency work was the right decision.
Finding Stability Through Agency Work
Like many educators considering agency work, Naomi initially worried about securing consistent shifts and maintaining stability for her family. Those concerns were quickly put to rest, within her first week, she already had shifts booked well in advance.
Feeling Supported Every Step of the Way
From her initial intake call through to pre-shift communication, Naomi felt genuinely listened to. The SOS team eased her nerves, addressed her concerns, and gave her the confidence to take that leap into agency work.
Naomi’s Advice to Other Educators
“100% do it! Save Our Service welcomes you, truly cares about you, and genuinely wants to see you succeed.”