Name: Elli Murphy
Service name and location: Toolern Vale
Role: OSHC Mobile Coordinator, VIC
Years with JAG: 6

Describe your journey with OSHC and what led you to JAG?

It was actually my sister who first introduced me to JAG. She was a coordinator at the time when a school near my house was looking for a coordinator for a brand-new service. I had the best experience with JAG from the get-go and absolutely loved the opportunity to build Toolern Vale OSHC from the ground up. We started with just two enrolments, and we now have over 70 enrolments at a school of around 160 students. It’s been so rewarding watching the service grow and knowing I’ve played such a big part in that.

What does your role involve and what do you enjoy most about it?

My role at JAG is currently a Mobile Coordinator. I work 31 hours a week in ratio at Toolern Vale and the other seven hours in admin. What those seven hours look like can be different every week. Some weeks I’m out helping other JAG services with their environments, room set-ups and ideas, and other weeks I’m running workshops with my educator, Rhylee, who has worked alongside me for the past six years. Rhylee has recently stepped up into an Assistant Coordinator role, which has been really special to see. She now takes on a lot of the admin side of Toolern Vale, including planners, menus and observations. This has given me more time to get out to the other services, support teams and share what I’ve learnt from building Toolern Vale OSHC.

You're about to begin an exciting new chapter as a parent. How are you feeling as you prepare to welcome your baby

Becoming parents is something my husband and I have always wanted, so getting married last year and then deciding to start our family has made this such a special chapter for us. While I absolutely love my job at JAG and spending my days working with children, I’ve always wanted to be a Mum above all else. I think that’s a big part of why I chose to study a Bachelor of Education and work in this field in the first place. JAG has always kept me wanting to learn, grow and take on more, and I never really found myself wanting to leave to go into a classroom. Now, though, I’m so excited for this next chapter and to experience becoming a Mum myself. It feels a little surreal that after spending so much of my career caring for and working with other people’s children, I’m about to have my own.

How has your OSHC experience shaped your perspective as you prepare to welcome your own child?

OSHC has allowed me to be part of so many children’s lives and play a small, and sometimes big, part in their day-to-day lives. It has helped me understand the type of parent I want to be and how I want to raise my own children. Working with children has also taught me patience, understanding and the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment. Most importantly, OSHC has shown me that when children are raised in a loving and supportive environment, they have the best opportunity to thrive, grow and succeed.

JAG recently introduced a new Paid Parental Leave policy. What did it mean to you when you heard this support would be available for OSHC employees and their families?

Hearing that JAG had introduced a Paid Parental Leave Policy meant so much to me, especially as I was starting my own family. It made me feel really supported and valued as an employee, knowing that I could take time away from work to focus on becoming a mum without having to worry as much about the financial side of things. It also showed me that JAG genuinely cares about their employees and their families and recognises how important this stage of life is. For me, it made the transition into motherhood feel a little less daunting and gave me reassurance that I could take the time I need with my baby while still feeling supported by JAG.

You've been passionate about helping shape conversations around parental leave at JAG. Why was this important to you?

This was important to me because I genuinely believe working families deserve to feel supported when starting or growing their family. I had the opportunity to share my perspective with JAG leaders at the start of the year to help shape a new policy that would make a real difference to employees. Being able to have that conversation and see positive change come from it has been really meaningful to me.

From your perspective, what will this new policy mean for staff in the OSHC sector, and for JAG as preferred employer?

It has made me feel genuinely valued and supported and has allowed me to see JAG as a long-term employer. It provides a sense of job security and purpose, while showing staff that JAG understands and supports people through different stages of life. I think this is really important in the OSHC sector and demonstrates JAG’s commitment to being a preferred employer.

Looking back on your time with JAG so far, what are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the journey I’ve had at JAG, particularly coordinating and running Toolern Vale OSHC for the past six years. Achieving an Exceeding rating for our service alongside my best friend, who I actually met through OSHC, which are highlights for me. Our friendship has grown so much that she was even one of my bridesmaids last year, which makes that achievement even more special. I’m also proud of collaborating on the paid parental leave policy with JAG’s leadership and being given the opportunity to travel to Sydney on a fully paid CEO Scholarship alongside Rhylee. These experiences have made me feel that my contribution is valued and that I’ve been able to make a genuine impact within JAG.

As you head off on parental leave, is there anything you'd like to share with your colleagues, families or the wider JAG community?

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been part of my JAG journey. I’m so excited for this next chapter and becoming a mum, but I’ll definitely miss my JAG family. I’m looking forward to returning and continuing my journey with JAG when the time is right.

Would you like to work with us?

If you’re interested in working in the outside school hours care industry, we’d love to hear from you.

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