How Anna Marcoionni leads the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Time Education & Training
Anna Marcoionni is the children’s services – coordinator and senior specialist facilitator at Time Education & Training, a role she has held since March 2017. A typical week sees Anna teaching multiple classes as well as marking plus visiting and engaging with professionals across the field to ensure we are meeting the needs and expectations and delivering as a training organisation.
With 36 years of experience in the early childhood education and care sector, Anna has worked across a wide range of roles and settings. She has also worked in the disability sector, where she supported and mentored staff on how to meaningfully include all children within their environments. These experiences taught her the importance of advocacy, inclusion, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to feel safe, valued, and supported.
Over time, Anna realised her true passion lies in training and assessing. For her, the most rewarding part of the profession is preparing the next generation of educators, namely people who not only nurture but also bring curiosity, empathy, and best practice into their work with children. Training gives her the opportunity to shape educators from the beginning of their careers, ensuring they are both ardent and skilled in making a lasting difference.
Over 13 years she worked as a team leader and acting director within childcare centres. Later, she joined a government organisation supporting children with additional needs. In this role, which she held for 7 years, Anna educated educators on inclusion, applied for funding to support staffing ratios, and ensured children never felt excluded. She also undertook extensive professional development, bringing best-practice knowledge back to the services she supported. It was during this time that Anna discovered her love of sharing knowledge and teaching others how to positively shape a child’s experience in care.
What excites Anna most is watching students grow. Whether that means finding their voice, introducing new practices into their centres, or gaining their first ever job. Many learners come from different backgrounds and careers, and seeing them step into the profession, sometimes overcoming challenges such as language barriers, is inspiring. Some students go on to become teachers, while others leave training with a renewed sense of pride in their work and contribution to the sector.
One of her most treasured memories is of a CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care graduate who told her, ‘Because of you I have my own money. I can now pay bills with my husband, and I have a job.’
She believes the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care are highly valuable for workplaces because they prepare students for the realities of the sector by covering important topics such as laws, standards, and best-practice. As such, Time Education & Training’s focus on equipping students with the practical tools of the trade has been recognised by services, who often comment on how prepared graduates are when entering placements.
‘Time Education & Training has been a fantastic partner for us. The graduates we’ve hired are well prepared, skilled, and enthusiastic. They quickly adapt and contribute positively to our team. We’re impressed with the quality of education and training they receive at Time, making it a great choice for anyone looking to pursue a career in education. The assessors are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, ensuring that every learner and employer feels valued and empowered throughout the process,’ Trish Xenikis, Emali Early Learning Centre.
Anna also places strong emphasis on staying current with an ever-evolving industry. She regularly visits services, attends professional development sessions, and engages in industry conversations to ensure our training reflects the realities of the workplace. As part of her ongoing learning, Anna has also been trained in the Department of Human Services (SA) ‘Safe Environments: Through Their Eyes’. The program focuses on recognising, responding to, and reporting child abuse, further strengthening her expertise in safeguarding children.
Her advice to anyone considering a career in early childhood education is simple: don’t rush into fast, online courses. Instead, choose training that is delivered with care and backed by experience, so you can truly make a difference in the lives of children.
Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking meals that bring people together, and travelling around South Australia.
