By Charlene Gatt
AT 17 Chantelle Tinao may still be a child to some. But this big kid is a favourite among toddlers at the Maribyrnong River Children’s Centre where she works as a full-time childcare assistant.
The Braybrook resident has been nominated as a finalist in the Community Services and Health Industry Training Board Awards after completing her Certificate III in Children’s Services.
She is one of six students chasing the VET in Schools award.
Miss Tinao started the school-based apprenticeship through Melbourne Girls College and the CMC Training at Work initiative and fast-tracked the two-year course to finish a year early.
She is now in the process of completing her diploma.
“When I was younger I already knew that I had a passion for working with kids, I just didn’t know what field I was interested in,” she said.
Miss Tinao said she’d had lots of practice babysitting her two younger sisters and cousins.
“It doesn’t feel like you’re working – you don’t notice that you’re so busy or how tired you get until you get home,” she said.
She said she was overwhelmed when she discovered her CMC trainer Rosemary Hunting had nominated her for the award.
The winner will be announced 17 July at a dinner hosted at the Plaza Ballroom in the city.
