Jenna’s journey of support, belonging, and opportunity with Mikarie
Jenna’s story is a testament to growth, resilience, and the power of belief. Now a long-standing cook at Mikarie Child Care Centre, Jenna began her journey with Sylvanvale in 2008, working with our catering company until 2016.
In search of a new challenge, she responded to a job advertisement on Seek and joined the Mikarie Child Care Centre as a cook. It wasn’t long before she caught the attention of Director Naomi Hardiman.
Recognising Jenna’s warmth and strong potential to connect with children, Naomi encouraged her to pursue a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education.
“Jenna is so bright and bubbly and just has a caring nature and feel to her,” Naomi said. “She has such a positive attitude and is able to be so straight forward with people and make them always see the best in every situation.”
At the time, Jenna had limited interaction with the children. But with Naomi’s mentorship and unwavering belief in her abilities, Jenna gradually gained confidence and experience.
“The most meaningful moments are when the kids come and say hi and ask how you are,” Jenna shared.
These small interactions became stepping stones in her transformation. As she began working on the floor in the mornings, learning new skills and building relationships, Jenna was able to take on more responsibilities, especially around children.
“When Jenna first started at Mikarie, she was very comfortable in the kitchen and would only head into the rooms to drop the food trolley off and then leave, unsure of how to interact with the children,” Naomi added. “Now, Jenna is so good with the children, her interactions are warm, and the children gravitate to her.”
Today, Jenna is well on her way to becoming a qualified early childhood educator. Her goal is to increase her hours working directly with the children once she completes her studies.
“I was given the opportunity by my manager, and I thought it would be a good challenge and a chance to learn something new,” she says. “I’m learning so much in my course, and I can’t wait to use these lessons when I become an early childhood educator.
“I love being around kids and watching them grow. I’m very thankful to Naomi and the rest of the team for supporting me through my studies.”
Jenna’s journey reflects the heart of Sylvanvale’s values: encouraging belonging, choice, safety, respect, and contribution in a way that empowers individuals to live the life they choose.