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Education/training

OYAP student moulds young minds

Developing an interest in cars a few years ago not only gave Brandon Ewanchek a hobby, it also gave him direction for the future. After working at a muffler shop, he landed a job at a truck and coach repair shop, an experience that forever changed him.

AUNIE EDWARDS

[ 2002-07-17 ]

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OYAP student Meghan Ricketts (seated) gets first-hand ECE instruction at Bowmore daycare and enrichment centre from her supervisor, program co-ordinator Ada Taxiarchopoulos.

It takes a special kind of person to choose Early Childhood Education as a career. And Meghan Ricketts, a recent graduate of Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute, is one such person.

Kind, energetic and patient, with a keen understanding of the importance of the early years, Ricketts is naturally well-suited for her chosen path.

"Early Childhood Education is a career choice that often surprises our students," says Linda Walker, Rickett's co-op teacher at Danforth Collegiate. "An affinity with kids is necessary, but that's not enough when you're faced with the needs and challenges of 20 young children. The exposure can be overwhelming and the benefit of Meghan's program is that she was able to confirm, early on, whether or not she's following the right career path."

For Ricketts, the program is a partnership between Danforth Collegiate, her co-op placement, Bowmore Daycare and Enrichment Centre, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and eventually, Seneca College. Her co-op training, Bowmore Daycare exposure and detail -oriented OYAP plan have combined to make her career goals attainable.

"Meghan really wants this -- it's been a pleasure to work with someone who is so focussed," Walker says. As a co-op student, Ricketts was placed at Bowmore Daycare -- a facility for children age two-and-a-half to five years -- where her duties included supervision, meeting the various needs of the children, free play activities and assisting with the programs in place.

Ada Taxiarchopoulos is Rickett's supervisor at Bowmore and she agrees that Ricketts is well suited for the job: "Patience is key in this environment and Meghan delivers. But she is also a youthful, high energy person. She genuinely enjoys playing with the kids and at this age level, play is an important developmental tool."

For Ricketts, Bowmore is much more than a job.

"Sometimes this path can be challenging but the staff and the kids at Bowmore are just great," Ricketts says. "I love the work here." The extra babysitting that Ricketts does for the families involved at Bowmore is further testament that Ricketts loves her job and does it well.

"This is an excellent resource for Meghan," says Taxiarchopoulos. "She's gaining first-hand experience and we are pleased that she's chosen to work here for the summer."

Ricketts is a paid, part-time employee at Bowmore Enrichment Centre, and as a registered member of OYAP, her hours will be applied to her Early Childhood Education apprenticeship. Beginning in the fall, part of her program will involve several eight-week blocks of class at Seneca College, in combination with full-time employment.

"In order to maintain my membership with OYAP, I'll need to have a full-time job by the fall," Ricketts says. "I'm working with the Woodgreen Community Centre to find employment and I also received training at Danforth Collegiate in resume writing, communication and interview skills."

"Meghan's college career will follow a pattern very similar to her co-op experience in high school," Walker says. "She's well versed in the co-op system and it's another advantage as she continues her education."

With a clear view of her goals and with an already substantial resume in a relevant field, Meghan Ricketts is an exceptional high school graduate whose future is bright. And as an early childhood educator, she will leave work everyday knowing that she has accomplished something important -- that in the development and improvement of a young mind, she has made a positive contribution to everyone's future."

(Aunie Edwards is a Guelph-based freelance writer who can be reached at a.edwards@rogers.com.)

Education requirements

Students must complete a minimum of three in-school credits per year.

Schools are required to monitor the program offered in the workplace to ensure it meets secondary school credit requirements.

To receive their high school diploma, students must still complete all compulsory credits.

Apprenticeship requirements

Students must be placed with a qualified employer.

Students must follow an on-the-job training program based on the specific standards for the trade. They may also receive related theoretical instruction.