We are no longer just caregivers. We have become educators and mentors

AMMAN (ILO News) - My name is Alaa Al-Shamali, and for the past 14 years I have been working as a caregiver in a nursery for the children of staff at Jordan’s Ministry of Labour. When I first started working, my priority was to find a job that provided a steady income and a daily routine. At the time, I didn’t realize that this job would not only change my life but also profoundly affect the lives of many children I was fortunate enough to care for.

In the beginning, my role was clear and simple: I fed the children, ensured they got enough rest, and then handed them back to their parents, healthy and safe. My relationship with the children was pleasant but traditional, and the years passed in the same usual routine. Although the work was good, I began to feel that something was missing, not only for me but also for the children. There were moments of boredom, days went by without activities to engage the children’s minds, and I, too, started to feel a sense of monotony in my work. We were living through repetitive days without a clear goal. But then, everything changed.

© ILO/ Jeel Media

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the SADAQA Foundation [the ILO’s implementing partner in the Equality@Work project], provided us with a fantastic opportunity: specialized training for caregivers. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect – perhaps it would just be another training course – but this experience was so much more than that. It opened my eyes to the depth of the role I play in these children's lives. I realized that I was not just someone ensuring their safety or handing them back to their parents at the end of the day, but was also laying the foundation for their future.

During this training, I learned that early childhood is the most critical stage in a person’s life. The children who spent their day with us were not just passing through; they were absorbing everything around them, learning trust, self-reliance, and how to interact with the world. I began to see my job from a new perspective – I wasn’t just feeding their bodies; I was helping shape their personalities and build their self-confidence. I realized I had the ability to inspire them and help them believe in themselves and prepare for the world ahead.

The ILO and SADAQA also provided us with tools that transformed the nursery into a place filled with growth, creativity, and continuous discovery. Not only did we redesign the space to rely more on natural lighting through large windows and glass doors, enhancing natural ventilation and creating wide spaces to facilitate the movement of children, including those with physical disabilities, but we also developed a schedule full of activities that engaged each child. These included educational games, arts, and exercises that encouraged both collaboration and independence. Suddenly, the children's presence was not just to pass the time – they were thriving, laughing, learning and growing. Every day was full of new opportunities for them to explore the world in their own way, and their happiness became contagious.

© ILO/ Jeel Media

The training was not only about providing activities but also about learning how to spot developmental delays or health issues such as autism or sensory impairments. We learned first aid and how to handle emergency situations calmly and with confidence. I became capable of seeing each child as a unique individual with their own needs, talents and challenges, and I was equipped with the necessary skills to support them in ways I hadn’t imagined before.

One of the most touching moments for me was when I started to notice the small changes in the children. A child who was shy and withdrawn began to participate more in group activities, and there was a spark in their eyes that hadn’t been there before. Another child who struggled with speech began to express themselves more freely through drawing, and I saw how their confidence grew day by day. These weren’t just small victories; they were profound transformations, and I was honored to be a part of them.

The changes weren’t limited to the children; the parents were also affected. When they began to notice the difference in their children – how much happier and more engaged they were – the trust between us deepened. They no longer saw the nursery as just a place to leave their children while they worked, but as a place where their children were nurtured and genuinely supported. They would tell me how their children loved coming to the nursery, how they spoke about their activities at home, and how they had gained confidence they never had before. Their smiles, their gratitude and their increasing trust filled my heart with pride.

© ILO/ Jeel Media

Today, our nursery is busier than ever. There is a waiting list, and more and more Ministry staff members are eager to enrol their children in our nursery. This didn’t happen by chance, but because of the training we received regarding our approach to childcare. We are no longer just caregivers; we have become educators and mentors as well.

When I look back now, I realize that the job I started for financial stability has become my true calling. I am proud of the work I do and proud to be a part of these children’s lives, helping lay the foundation for their future. Every smile, every accomplishment and every word of thanks from a parent reminds me that what we do here is of immense value.