KC and the Country Kids

Casey, who has 12 years experience in child care under her belt, started at the centre in October as Group Leader.

“Child care is something I sort of ‘fell into’ and I’m lucky because I really love it,” said Casey.

“When I left Crookwell High in 2000 I started with the Neighbourhood Centre’s Mobile Preschool.

“Eventually I moved to Yass where I worked at the ABC Centre with 79 children a day.

“It was terrific because I worked with a variety of ages from babies to preschool age.”

Casey was there for five years before making the move to Gunning Early Learning Centre earlier this year where she was the Director.

“Then I was offered this position, which faced me with a big decision to make,” she said.

“I had only been there for six months, but in the end I knew I was making the right decision coming back to my home town, Crookwell.

“I’m excited because I am able to give back to the community that I grew up in.”

Casey works five days a week (Monday to Friday) from 8am to 3pm every day.

“Child care is an industry where you have to be very interested in to stay as there are many changes happening all of the time,” she said.

Casey is considering the idea of undertaking a teaching degree next year by correspondence. She already has her diploma so it should only take her two to three years to complete.

“I love my profession,” she said with obvious compassion.

“I love the kids and I love, love, love the babies!”

Casey is passionate about her career and her home town and that is why she is fitting perfectly into her new position at Country Kids.

She is back playing hockey for Golf Club as a star full back or striker, “It just depends on the day!” she said.

“I absolutely love being back here,” she said.

“The best decision I have made in a long time.”

Our second new staff member is Kizziah Plumb, daughter of local lady, Terri Plumb.

Kizziah spent her younger years in Crookwell attending St Mary’s until year five before she moved to Wollongong with her mother.

“I have always wanted to work with children,” said Kizziah.

“But I was also interested in disability work and the hospitality industry.”

She tried hospitality in Gladstone, QLD as an apprentice chef and then as an apprentice pastry chef at in Newtown, Sydney.

“I was commuting to Newtown every day from Monday to Friday by either car or train. It took me two hours each way,” she said.

She did this for 12 months before circumstances led her back to Wollongong where she again took up work in Sydney, but his time doing a traineeship to get her certificate three in Children’s Services.

She had shown her interest in working at Country Kids before so when Rebecca Leonard resigned from her position, Centre Director, Rebecca George, called on Kizziah to see if she would be interested in the position.

And the rest, they say, is history.

“I love it, I am so happy I have come back,” said Kizziah.

“The lifestyle is a lot easier, and there is so much more sense of community here.”

The 20-year-old is enjoying five days at the centre at the moment, but drops back to four when another staff member returns.

“It’s perfect, everything is going really well,” Kizziah said.

Being a Plumb, it isn’t a surprise Kizziah is a handy with a hockey stick.

Previously she has been playing in Wollongong and Sydney, but will now look at playing at both Crookwell and Canberra.

A striker, Kizziah has been selected in the indoor NSW team seven years in a row since the age of 13. She has also made the Under 13s and Under 15s NSW side. In 2012 she was selected in the Australian All Schools team. In 2013 she will be playing in the Under 21s Nationals Indoor Championships in Canberra in January.

Obviously a talent, Kizziah humbly says, “I’m not quite up there with my cousin Emily!”

But this softly spoken, demure lady is quietly confident life has taken a turn for the best.

“I’m really happy here,” she said.

“I’m planning on staying for a while.”