Meet the future of Early Childhood Education and Care in Victoria!

Janav Khushboo recently graduated with not one, but TWO certificates at VICSEG graduation events in Craigieburn. The former fine artist and 3D animation lecturer had struggled to reboot her career since migrating to Melbourne from her native India. But Janav’s passion for teaching and education never wavered, and she’s now proud to walk a brand-new path that builds up little minds and bodies ahead of their school years. Janav kindly took some time out of her busy schedule to share the story of her New Futures Training adventure. Thank you, Janav!  

“I’m a professional artist and have been involved in art since I can remember. I graduated in Fine Arts and became a 3D animation lecturer in my home country,” Janav said. 

“When I came to Australia, I wanted to do something similar to what I was doing back in my country. But my study was not recognized here. But I always loved teaching and wanted to get back to it somehow.”  

“My husband and I went into business running a restaurant for seven years. It eventually became too much, too long hours, we’d had enough.”  

“When that time came, I wanted to pursue my own dream of being a teacher again. It was time for me to follow my dreams!”  

Janav enrolled in both the Certificate III in School Based Education Support and the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care delivered at VICSEG New Futures’ Craigieburn Campus. She says that support from all sides helped see her through the challenge of balancing study in two courses against a busy family life as mother of two young daughters.  

“Firstly, I had amazing teachers, and the support of amazing staff here in Craigieburn. Secondly, I had amazing support from my husband and family. My colleagues [fellow students] have also been great helping each other out. It was like a family at VICSEG. Family vibes,” she said.  

“Sundus [Janav’s trainer in School-Based Education Support] was amazing in every way. It wasn’t just support in the study space, but even personal advice if there were challenges outside of training. She was there to support in every way. I’m blessed she was my teacher.”  

“The way Sundus teaches, it also made it easier when we were doing our placements. The real-world examples she delivered in our training meant that we knew how to react in the classroom delivering education support.”  

Janav said this quality of preparation came to the fore when providing support to children with autism during her school placement.  

Nearing the end of her two courses, Janav faced a fork in the road and a new decision to make: a career in early childhood or a career teaching in schools? For Janav, a teaching career that engages children in their most formative of years had the greatest appeal. So much so that she’s now furthering her studies at New Futures Training through the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care!  

“I want to be a kinder teacher. The creativity interests me. The things you can do with the kids, and how there’s the opportunity to mould them through early education. It’s providing real foundations. If kids are helped to have a good foundation, they will do better at school, and they will be a better person in their life as well. As a kinder teacher, I have the chance to make their foundation better.”   

“I am looking forward to do my graduation and become a kinder teacher by March 2026,” Janav said.