An Amazing Adventure
Founder of Amaze Education, Lucy Schweizer Cook, explains how she found her calling.
BY BONNIE LAXTON-BLINKHORN, KINDICARE
There are many good reasons to work in early education and care and as part of the launch of KindiCare Jobs, we have been talking to a variety of early education professionals over the last weeks to learn more about their motivations, experiences, and pathways.
Most recently, we spoke to Lucy Schweizer Cook, formerly the General Manager – Marketing and Operations at Amaze Education, who is currently weighing up her options after building this group from the ground up more than 15 years ago.
Lucy’s role at Amaze was wide and varied, she was responsible for marketing, events co-ordination, staff mentoring and was often an extra pair of hands on the floor when required.
“The team's job is to educate and care for the children and families, my job was to take care of the team so they could do this to the best of their ability.”
To achieve this, Lucy worked on collecting all the ‘voices’ in the organisation to ensure strategic decision making was for the benefit of all stakeholders.
“The most important part of my role was as a community builder. People need to feel like they are part of something. Forming those connections and keeping them strong was a key to Amaze's success.
“I strongly believe if we stagnate, we die. I see myself as a growth champion and encouraged all 175 team members to keep learning and growing while continuing to live and breathe the company values.”
This growth mentality seems to be steeped into the culture at Amaze Education, which, at current count, includes five early education centres and six outside school hours services among its number.
How early education found Lucy
Lucy never planned to work in early education, some 25 years ago she graduated from university as a PE and science teacher and undertook a variety of relief teaching roles, in between caring for her four sons.
Following a role as co-ordinator of PE in a girls’ school Lucy became head of boarding at a catholic school for girls in Toowoomba.
“While it was a very challenging, I learnt so much about being on a leadership team, being a school board member as well as about teenage girls, mental health and all the fun that comes with that age group. I also grew the boarding numbers to double.”
As with many early education professionals, Lucy’s move into the sector followed her lived experience, but she says this experience in a school setting put her in a strong position.
“My children attended a really lovely small childcare centre with a huge backyard, grass and trees. They came home dirty every day and learnt from doing, in an emotionally safe and secure environment. I loved it.
“I knew I was good at growing schools, and I knew what parents would want from an early childhood centre,” she said.
Lucy’s sister, also a teacher, lived on the Gold Coast and she suggested they look for a centre there. The plan was for Lucy to help with the set up and for her sister to go on and run it.
“We found a rundown kindy in suburbia with an amazing backyard with real trees and grass, in an age of plastic and Astro turf, and it looked out on to a beautiful reserve.
“At the time, I was intent on sitting my pre-med exam. However, as often happens, life had other ideas and early learning became my passion for the next 15 years. Over that time we grew slowly but steadily.”
Lucy says her goal from the outset was to be the best not the biggest.
“I wanted the children and families to be more than a number. I wanted them to know me and what I stood for. I wanted a place that had strong community values and was committed to leaving the community better than when we came.”
To maintain this personal connection and strong sense of community all the services in the Amaze group are within an hour of the Gold Coast.
It’s all about the kids!
After many years on the job Lucy says the best bit about working in early education for her is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families, but she says working in a cohesive team is also rewarding.
“Seeing your team members live and breathe a culture and values you created is humbling, as well as watching them strive to grow and learn. I love seeing my team pushing the envelope and trying new things without fearing failure.”
For early education professionals starting out in their career Lucy recommends being open to all the opportunities and experiences available.
“Listen to everyone and everything, have your eyes wide open, but form your own opinion. Your centre has the benefit of your fresh eyes and perspective, don't be afraid to contribute.”
While Lucy is taking a well-deserved break to figure out what she wants to do next, she says further study is on the cards.
