Studios … Ashlee Tattersall was awarded a scholarship to help her become a kindergarten teacher. 48065. Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Bridie Byrne
WHEN 23-year-old Ashlee Tattersall graduates from university she will return to basics.
Ashlee has started a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Teaching at Ballarat University via correspondence, while being an assistant co-ordinator at Mossfield Children’s Centre.
She has already notched up a Diploma of Childrens Services for her resume.
And her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher was acknowledged with another boost last week.
More than 200 early childhood educators from across the state were awarded government scholarships.
Ashlee said the $6000 would help cover the costs of fees and textbooks during the three-year course.
She said combining her studies with a full time job could be exhausting.
“I’m coping with all the work at the moment, but it’s all about time management,” she said.
“It’s quite challenging but most days are rewarding.”
Ashlee said she welcomed the new controversial changes to kindergarten hours, which will come into effect from 2013.
It will be made compulsory for children to undergo 15 hours of kindergarten a week before starting school.
“It will better prepare them for primary school,” she said.
“It gives them more interaction time rather than a short session when they just get involved and then have to go home.”
