A day in the Wattle Room is never the same—today was no exception.

With 10 babies under 2 years old, the room was full of movement, sounds, and little moments of connection. I started my shift at 9:30 and spent the entire day there, witnessing everything from a new child’s orientation to a surprise lockdown drill.

I watched as a new baby settled into the space while her parents chatted with Emma, the room leader. Throughout the day, I checked the nappy list, changed nappies, and comforted unsettled babies. I helped three children settle for sleep and later guided them from rest time to afternoon play and tea.

At some point, the day took an unexpected turn with a lockdown drill. Four educators—Sophie, Mia, Daniel, and Oliver’s mum—worked together to respond quickly. We took the rolls, grabbed the evacuation bag with medications, and placed all the awake babies into the emergency cot. While sleeping babies are usually moved as well, this time, they remained in their cots. We rolled the cot into the Green Room, where the toddlers sat quietly on the mat, supported by their educators. Once the drill ended, we returned, completed a headcount, and resumed our day.

Amidst it all, I spent a lot of time engaging with the children—singing songs, playing finger games, and modeling language. It was a day filled with learning, routines, and unexpected moments that reminded me just how dynamic and rewarding this work can be.

Do you like working with babies?

What are some challenges in creating an engaging curriculum for them?