What’s it like to work for the Y? Get an insight through these team members’ career journey and time at the Y.

Meet Vicki: A Story of Passion, Growth, and Leadership in the Early Years Sector
Vicki always knew she wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Her journey began in Year 10 during a work experience placement at a primary school, where she discovered her passion for education. With a clear sense of purpose, she pursued her Diploma in Early Childhood Education at TAFE, later completing her Bachelor of Early Learning at university.
Becoming a leader
Her first role was at a family-owned long day care centre in Preston, where she entered the sector at just 17 years old. It was an intimidating start—navigating the challenges of working with older staff and finding her voice in moments that demanded confidence. Despite the nerves, Vicki remained determined to provide the best care possible. By the age of 20, she had stepped into management, a milestone achieved through hard work and self-belief.
Fostering a supportive environment
Vicki’s experience with an unapproachable manager early in her career shaped her aspirations. It inspired her to become a supportive leader, not only for children but for her team. “I wanted to be the change I wished I had,” she reflects. This realisation shifted her passion from solely teaching children to role-modelling for adults, which led her to earn her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
In 2020, Vicki joined Y Whittlesea as an Early Years Coordinator at Orchard Road and soon became the Centre Manager at Eucalyptus Parade Kindergarten and Educational Leader. Now, with five years of experience at the Y and a team of 11 staff under her guidance, she continues to foster a supportive, safe environment that enables both children and educators to thrive. Her role involves managing administrative tasks, attending to families, and ensuring that staff voices are heard and valued. As an educational leader, she regularly engages with her team to prioritise children’s learning and staff well-being.
“The most rewarding part of my job,” Vicki shares, “is seeing the growth—not only in the children but also in my staff. Watching them develop their confidence, skills, and passion for this work is incredibly fulfilling.”
Looking back
Looking back, Vicki acknowledges the challenges of starting young in a demanding field but emphasises the rewards. “The news often highlights educators being burnt out and underpaid, but what’s missing is the incredible influence we have on children and families. This sector can take you places you never imagined.”
Vicki credits the Y’s unique culture for much of her professional growth. “It’s a close network where support isn’t just a concept—it’s real and tangible. Support Services visit centres, provide resources, and genuinely value staff. The Y also heavily supports upskilling, creating opportunities for ongoing professional development.”
Her advice to her younger self and aspiring educators? “Do it. The journey will challenge you, but it will also open doors you never thought possible. I once believed I could never take on a managerial role, and here I am—managing a centre, mentoring others, and shaping the next generation.”
Vicki’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the early years sector and the profound impact of passionate leadership. Are you ready to start your journey with the Y and make a difference in the lives of children, families, and colleagues?

Giving 100%: Renata's challenging journey to a meaningful career at the Y
Renata is personable and softly spoken. But she’s stared down her fair share of challenges, with guts and fierce determination. Growing up in Poland in the restrictive 1980s, Renata’s dreams of working with children were put on hold. However, after migrating to England at age 25, she was able to slowly but surely find her way to her passion. Now, she’s proudly Centre Director at the Y Whittlesea’s Galada Community Centre.
Finding her way
When Renata was set to start her first-ever job in early childhood education in 2006, she felt more than the normal first-day jitters. Renata was living in London at the time and felt ashamed of her level of English comprehension. Often when people talked to her, she’d only understand what they’d said by the time they walked away!
Renata survived her first day working in the field she loved but decided she needed to become fluent in English to build her career. So, with trademark determination, Renata started staying up till 2 am each night after work, dictionary in hand. And, she soon found some extra help from the troop of lively four-year-olds in her care each day.
“The children actually helped teach me how to speak English properly! I would read children’s books to them, and they’d correct my pronunciation: ‘No, say it this way. No, say it that way!’ They were amazing and so very patient with me.”
It was the beginning of Renata’s realisation she could do far more than she thought, and it saw her go on to complete her first early learning qualification in English. She’s not looked back since!
Driven by purpose
When Renata and her young family arrived in Australia in 2013, they settled in Whittlesea, just a couple of blocks from our Orchard Road Community and Early Learning Centre, which was still under construction.
“I was a bit of a stalker,” Renata laughs. “I watched Orchard Road being built, and as soon as it was finished, I was like, ‘Now, check the website!’ There were already job advertisements, and so I applied!”
Renata joined the Y Whittlesea as a Room Leader in 2017, in charge of the babies room.
“They were amazing, those babies. We worked really hard on routine. We gave them a lot of attention, a lot of love, and we just didn’t have crying babies. Staff would come in and go, ‘I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve come in here for some peace and quiet!’” Renata laughs.
Renata’s worked with many babies, children and families since that first year and still gets a thrill out of seeing them grow and develop. But she says her connection with the class of 2017 will forever remain extra meaningful.
“That first batch of babies was very special for us because it was the year Orchard Road opened. We were creating something new and so we remember all those children really well. When they moved on to the next room, it was hard, but we could still see how they were going.”
Support to grow
Now, as Centre Director at Galada Kindergarten, Renata is responsible for a team of 20 staff who provide education, care and support to more than 230 three to four-year-olds every week. As if that wasn’t enough, Renata during this time also studied for her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education full-time, under a scholarship which she completed in 2023.
“I think my managers know I can’t stay still for long. I always crave more. I need to keep that challenge in my life because I work better under pressure. I always try to do more, to do better and to support others.”
Renata credits the culture she’s found here at the Y Whittlesea for helping her to grow her career in the way that’s worked for her.
“They really do look after people here; there is always support. Our managers and directors are a great team who support, encourage, teach and lift up one another in times of need.”
Renata herself now mentors her team and inspires others to achieve their goals.
Recently, Renata bumped into a lady whose daughter she’d cared for as a baby several years ago. The mother told her she’d been inspired to do her bachelor’s and become a teacher after seeing how Renata looked after her child.
The lady said, ‘I want to make others feel how you made me feel when you looked after my child.’ Oh my gosh, I couldn’t believe it. That was just amazing to hear.”
It’s a far cry from Renata’s nervous early days in the industry. And Renata now brings that same stoic dedication to her advice for newcomers to the Y:
“Stay true to yourself and connect with people. Be open to challenges and opportunities. We are all stronger than we think, and we can achieve much more than we think.”

For the families, the children and her team: Why Rosa chooses the Y
You might think two decades with one organisation is a long stretch. But for Orchard Road ELC Director Rosa, knowing she’s positively impacting young lives, and finding so many opportunities to grow, means her years with the Y Whittlesea have flown by. It’s helped that Rosa’s found a team of people who share her passion. In fact, Rosa’s built such strong relationships at the Y that she and five of her closest teammates will soon be jetting off on a 40-day overseas trip!
An amazing journey
When Rosa Condello was in her senior year at high school, she and two friends attended an early learning careers event that set the course for her future. Rosa still clearly remembers the Event Coordinator’s speech, more than two decades later.
“The Coordinator told us childcare is about more than loving children; it’s more than singing and dancing. There are hard days and challenges, too. But the way she spoke about the early years and the impact you could have on a child’s life made it real. At the end of her speech, I turned to my friends and said, ‘I need to do this.’”
So, in 2002, aged 19, while studying for her Early Childhood Diploma, Rosa started her career as an Educator at the Y Whittlesea. Fast forward to today, and she’s happily still with us!
“I tell people I’ve been at the Y for 21 years, and they go, ‘Oh, that’s unbelievable!’ But I’ve been able to do so many different roles here, and I’ve met so many wonderful families and children. I’ve had an amazing journey with the Y.”
The chance to grow
Now in charge of coordinating the sessional and long day care kinder as well as the early years teams at Orchard Road Community and Early Learning Centre, Rosa is committed to supporting her 40 staff. That includes everything from helping her team roll out new programs to assisting them with their day-to-day challenges and offering guidance on how to build strong, trust-based relationships with parents and carers.
Rosa gets a real kick out of seeing her staff reach their potential because she knows better than almost anyone what’s possible at the Y. A life-long learner, Rosa has taken on every challenge we’ve asked of her, embraced every new position she’s been offered, and even put her hand up to complete university studies.
“I like to keep myself busy,” Rosa laughs.
She certainly does. In 2015, when the Y obtained a financial grant to cover costs for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Rosa was thrilled to have the chance to study alongside two other Educators.
“It was amazing because I’d always wanted to study for my bachelor’s. And I was able to do it alongside my colleagues, so we could support each other.”
An extraordinary impact
Rosa knows working in childcare is not always easy. But what’s kept her here, aside from her incredible team, is the knowledge she’s making a difference in young lives. It’s an impact Rosa fully realises every time she meets a former Kinder child all grown up.
“Sometimes, I’ll bump into families at the shops, and they’ll stop me and say, ‘Thank you, you were fantastic; your team was fantastic.’ Some of the children I started working with are in university now. It’s unreal to know the impact you have on children and their families. They still remember things like excursions we took them on 15 years ago!”
Rosa says knowing she and her team are creating positive experiences for children while helping them learn and grow is a powerful motivating force that never gets old.
Suggested pull-out quote: “We all know the first five years of a child’s life are critical to their future development. And knowing we play a part in that is pretty extraordinary.”
It’s something Rosa and her Y colleagues will no doubt reflect on in a few weeks while sipping Prosecco in Venice and pastis in Paris.