Sometimes we miss kids who hit themselves.

Rakel Andersen, educator.

Why are you an educator?

- I have always dreamed of working with people since I was a teenager. I first trained as a kitchen assistant from Inuili. But after working with my education and having children, I started to feel that I really wanted to work with people. Because I love contributing in some way to society by working with people. It also benefits me as a person, and it gives me something. It is always good to give something back by working with young children.

How do you experience everyday life?

- It always depends on how the children and staff feel when you show up. As a room leader, there are different things you have to be aware of. The responsibility is great. It is very busy, like these days, when we have to hold parent meetings and look after children at the same time.

 

- At the same time, you have to sit in front of the computer and answer inquiries, and now it is a requirement that you must submit the child's developmental stages digitally. Each child must have their own folder. But it is only me who writes and does the work. I can't do them in peace and quiet because there is so much else to do. For example, how has the child been today? Should the child be put to bed? Is the child tired? Should the child be changed? What should I encourage the child to do? How should I react to the child? For a child, it is important that the child feels safe, as the day is filled with so many things. It is hard when the children start crying all at once in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. It is a struggle to calm them down, sometimes you forget about yourself.

- We are very busy when there is a staff shortage. It costs the body dearly, because it also affects your shoulders, arms and back. We use our whole body, and in addition, the work is very demanding emotionally, mentally and physically. We give our all and give everything we have. We want to do our best, we work to achieve the best. Of course there are some days when we are tired. At the same time, we have to cooperate with each parent, and each one may have their own requirements. It can be challenging. But it is always great to work closely together. And when you have reached the biggest steps in the child's development, it is the greatest joy and the greatest happiness.

Can you tell us about a day at work that shows how the lack of hands affects you and the children?

- We have been so busy that sometimes we miss children who get hurt, that a child had fallen and we were not aware of it. We can overlook important things that we should be aware of. For example, the children take a nap both inside and outside, some need to be fed, some need to have their faces washed, and others need to have their diapers changed. We have been so busy that sometimes we have not sat down or drunk anything, and we have sacrificed ourselves a lot. Always wanting the best and always giving in a safe atmosphere can be a big challenge. For example, we have to show trust in children and parents. Regarding conditions, we have not had proper supervision.

If you could change one thing about your job tomorrow, what would it be?

- I would change the salary. When you work with people, it is far too little. It is far too little when you think about how challenging and important we are. The beginning of a child's development is the most important thing, so I would like to give the best of myself. I would also like to have the opportunity to talk to a psychologist who we can talk to when something has happened. As someone who works with people, it is very desirable to be properly looked after.