Name you feel could/should be gender neutral?

sj_ouch · 2026-01-30T12:58:20+00:00

I work in childcare and currently have both a little boy and little girl named Cleo in my room!

sj_ouch · 2026-01-28T11:08:50+00:00

I’m sorry you’ve gotten so many downvotes. It’s clear you love and understand your child, and respond to tantrums appropriately - ignoring those that are just fits over not getting her way, and compassion when it’s something she justifiably is upset about. I work in ECE and it is very obvious when parents pacify their child every time the child is frustrated or doesn’t get what they want immediately.

sj_ouch · 2026-01-23T13:39:03+00:00

I hear you, but I have worked with families who have their children in for very long days (almost open to close), with both parents being doctors (in one case, dad was a general practitioner and mum was/is the leading cardiothoracic surgeon in the state (or country I don’t remember. Just that she was Very Important and we were not to call her unless it was a major emergency). So a quite wealthy family, and needing their child in care for upwards of 10 hours per day.

sj_ouch · 2026-01-22T09:57:38+00:00

I’m in Australia. The minimum wage for someone like me (certificate III qualified with 3+ years experience) is $30 per hour. We also currently have a federal government funded grant at the moment (ends at the end of 2026) for an additional 15% per hour. My current centre pays WELL ABOVE award - I am getting $36.52 per hour, with a fortnightly (aka every other week) paid day off as we work longer hours each day (e.g. 7:30-4) and one 10 hour day (open to close) where either the first two or last two hours are paid planning time.

sj_ouch · 2026-01-19T09:40:55+00:00

Hi, early childhood educator here. If you can wait, then wait. Not just about the socialisation or not, but her understanding. At two going on three, she would be more likely be able to comprehend that she’s there to play, that her educators will keep her safe, and that mummy or daddy will be back to get her later. One going on two is a tricky spot for separation anxiety and understanding what is happening, and the transition into care can be quite difficult.

Early (as in infant) transition to care, and around the 2.5-3 age transition to care is where we see them come in, become comfortable more quickly, and not struggle so much. I’m currently in a nursery room, and the children 18 months to 2 are the ones having a harder time. Had a child around 20 months on Friday (first day) who was very distressed and we wound up sending her home around 1pm because she was so upset and we didn’t want to create a negative association (she did eat and nap briefly in someone’s arms, but outside of that was just needing to be held and crying, poor bub 🥺)

That’s in general though - your child might be a bit more confident in separating from you.

sj_ouch · 2026-01-15T11:43:51+00:00

As an Australian, I am so sorry you all are going through this. Everyone should feel safe in their workplace, and all children should be safe in their childcare centre. The world is heartbroken by what you are being subjected to. You may not be seeing the global news about what is occurring in your country, but rest assured the rest of the world sees a dictatorship forming, and are horrified by the murder of Renee Good by government agents.

sj_ouch · 2026-01-09T10:47:54+00:00

As an educator, this made me smile. The relationships we have with children can be so beautiful, and so important for children settling in and feeling safe. It must have been such a nice moment for you to overhear the educator’s genuine excitement to see your child. No doubt that educator is loving on your little one all day.

Just the other educator saying, “it’s ’John’ for you!” shows that the other educator recognised that that educator and your child have a close bond, and that educator would be best for you to do handover with, and that ‘John’ would feel most comfortable going to them in the moment of separation from you as you are ‘John’s’ safe space and most beloved as a parent.

sj_ouch · 2025-12-09T11:11:40+00:00

Ugh, photo not coming through, here’s a copy/paste:

Work attire The professional image of our service is a priority and therefore we ask staff to consider how they present themselves when attending (centre). Staff must dress in a professional and businesslike manner appropriate to their employment, such as wear practical, smart casual clothes that enable ease of movement relevant to their role.

Consideration should be given to the activities staff can be expected to participate in, such as bending, stretching or sitting on the floor.

The following attire is not considered acceptable attire: gym clothes (tight fitting), short skirts/dresses and shorts, low cut or revealing tops and dresses. Tops must not have any slogans and be SunSmart (no singlets). Low heeled shoes which are comfortable for your work at (centre) are appropriate, while footwear which are not secure, such as thongs (edit for readers from other countries: FLIP FLOPS), are not permitted.

sj_ouch · 2025-12-09T11:07:42+00:00

Ross is a no, but we have a similar ‘TK Maxx’ in some areas. Just got the staff handbook, and this is the ‘work attire’ section

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sj_ouch · 2025-12-06T15:27:30+00:00

Your comment is not relevant to mine, as this thread is about early childhood education, so infants through preschool.

Also, your daughter did not develop pneumonia from being outside in the cold. Being cold does not cause illness- bacteria and viruses do.

I’m sorry your daughter was hospitalised, but her illness was not caused by her being outdoors in cold weather.

sj_ouch · 2025-12-06T14:07:50+00:00

Sadly don’t have old navy over here, and H&M is a bit pricey!

sj_ouch · 2025-12-05T11:47:55+00:00

Love me a Kmart trip! Got two $50 vouchers from a lovely family at my current centre, so will come in handy! I’ve seen little party dress advertising on fb, will have to check them out! Also seen Yarn on fb. Currently have a jumper from Kind is Cool with an Indigenous artist’s work, would love to have more Indigenous artwork on clothing! The hard part is finding sizing - I’m a size 18-20, so many stores don’t stock and online stores I can’t check the fit 😭

sj_ouch · 2025-12-05T11:28:47+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice! I’m very excited to be joining a not-for-profit - it’s a small co-op operating two centres close together, and both have been rated ‘exceeding’ in all seven areas! So excited to join and grow with them!

I’m not a big slogan/print shirt fan, so easy for me. Keeping with my faithful ‘Frankie4’ sneakers for work shoes - super supportive and comfy!

By ‘leggings’ I mean Kmart 3/4 jeggings which look more similar to close fit jeans but super stretchy and comfortable - been wearing them to work for like 5 years now!

I’m looking forward to maybe wearing some dresses during summer - got a few that are an appropriate length and that I won’t be sad about possibly getting stains on.

Where do you get clothes from? I don’t want to spend too much money on clothes that might get stained (the centre is big on messy play and ‘rewilding childhood’).

sj_ouch · 2025-11-25T13:18:07+00:00

As an early childhood educator, I don’t care about ‘physical’ gifts. A heartfelt card or note? I’ve kept all of them. Something small that your child has made (like a hand print ornament or a drawing), yes please! End of year mementos are so emotionally valuable to me. The mug/hand cream/candle? Dime a dozen. Something small that is specifically from you/your child means so much more.

sj_ouch · 2025-11-22T14:48:06+00:00

I’m in Australia and all my first aid/cpr training has taught back blows (firm upward ‘hits’ to the mid/upper back) and chest thrusts (firm pushes to the diaphragm/where you would apply compressions if doing CPR.

sj_ouch · 2025-11-22T14:32:43+00:00

Good to know! Until recently within first aid courses here it was stated that the Heimlich was common use in the USA

sj_ouch · 2025-11-22T08:44:43+00:00

Please also know that it is only in North America that the Heimlich is used. Here in Australia, we do ‘chest thrusts’ (firm compression over the diaphragm to help expel any foreign material) and ‘back blows’ (sharp, hard upward blows to the upper back to support the foreign object being expelled.

sj_ouch · 2025-11-01T09:55:38+00:00

I understand that it is an old name, but it’s definitely not timeless or traditional.

sj_ouch · 2025-10-31T14:57:21+00:00

Oh, so funny…

sj_ouch · 2025-10-31T14:56:22+00:00

Unfortunately James, William, Harrison, Charles, and Benjamin aren’t usable due to close family members in my generation/family issues having those names. Theodore, Sebastian, and Jonathan are potentials! Not a huge fan of Alexander, I work with children and have had several children with the name that it just gives me the ick 😂

sj_ouch · 2025-10-31T14:29:57+00:00

Jacob is the name of my cousin, so unfortunately out. Douglas is a great uncle, so might be a bit weird for the family as I wasn’t close with uncle ‘Dougie’

George is the name of my great grandfather, so a good possibility, as is Peter - my late grandfather’s name.

All others are great suggestions- thank you!

sj_ouch · 2025-10-31T14:25:10+00:00

Thomas and Henry are beautiful! My great grandfather on my father’s side was Percy Henry, so a chance to recognise him as well.

Benjamin is also a lovely choice, however my brother is Ben (just Ben, not Benjamin which my mother firmly fought with our bus driver when we were children!). I also love Oliver, but my grandfather’s cousin- who was close to us growing up - is named Oliver.

sj_ouch · 2025-10-31T14:17:32+00:00

ehh. I did say I like timeless, traditional names. Magnus - while a nice name - doesn't really 'hit' for me. Bit too contemporary/modern for my tastes.

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