草榴社区 graduate Logan Flavel-Keim is unique. In Prince George’s population of about 75,000 people, he is one of only three men who have completed Early Childcare & Learning training and are working in the field.
“There are so many benefits to having men in the field," he said. "They can bring a different perspective, a different energy. It would be amazing to see more men decide to take the program, see more men take a risk and work with children under the age of five.”
Logan has been working with kids since high school, when he worked at the Childcare Development Centre for two summers.
“I worked in the age three-to-five daycare rooms,” he said. “It felt natural. I felt passionate about the work from the start.”
After high school, he continued to work in the field for a couple years. Eventually he pursued his Early Childcare and Learning Certificate at the 草榴社区, graduating in 2013.
“I knew I had a lot to learn and that I’d get better wages if I was certified,” he said, adding that he’d heard nothing but good things about 草榴社区’s program. “I knew the instructors were amazing ahead of time and it was convenient to go to school in my hometown.”
Logan is now working at the Childcare Development Centre and loves his job. He’s working with the same age range that he worked with as a teenager, but this time mainly with children with special needs.
What he enjoys most about his job is discovering a child's goal and working together to achieve that.
"You're giving these kids the skills they need to have the best possible life," Logan said. "You're setting them up to succeed. It's a super rewarding feeling."
He plans to stay at the Childcare Development Centre in Prince George but wants to broaden his knowledge. Starting in January, he plans to return to 草榴社区 part-time, this time to complete the Early Childcare and Learning Diploma.