Before receiving the Early Childhood Scholarship, Halayna was already deeply committed to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, working full-time in a leadership role while starting her study journey to become fully qualified as an early childhood teacher.
“Balancing professional responsibilities, higher-level study and personal commitments was financially and emotionally challenging at times. I knew I wanted to elevate my practice and contribute meaningfully to the sector, but the financial pressure of study while working in a demanding role made the pathway harder.
“Receiving this scholarship genuinely changed my life. It removed a huge amount of financial pressure and allowed me to focus on my studies with confidence rather than stress. It also gave me the opportunity to upskill and work toward full Early Childhood Teacher registration without needing to step back from my leadership responsibilities. The scholarship opened doors for professional growth, supported my academic journey, and gave me the reassurance that my goals were worth investing in.”
Some of Halayna’s rewarding moments have been seeing her theoretical learning directly transform her practice.
“The moments when children engage deeply in learning experiences I’ve designed, or when families tell me how supported, understood, and valued they feel, are incredibly meaningful. Those moments remind me why all the hard work is worth it.”
Halayna credits her successful completion of the qualification with the support of the scholarship, her team and BUSY At Work who manage the scholarship program.
“Their encouragement, guidance and belief in my capability kept me motivated through busy study periods. Having people who genuinely support your growth makes an enormous difference.
“The communication and support from BUSY At Work has been consistent, professional and helpful. I always felt well-informed, respected and supported throughout the scholarship process. They made the administrative side simple, and I genuinely appreciated their responsiveness and clarity.”
“Thank you for investing in the early childhood sector and in educators like me. Your support makes a very real difference, not just to our studies but to the children, families and communities we serve. Your funding helps elevate the quality of early learning across Victoria and opens doors that many of us wouldn’t otherwise have access to. I am very grateful.”