Working with pre-schoolers and helping them get a great start to their education can be both rewarding and uplifting. In today’s blog we’re looking at some of the awesome qualifications available in the early childhood employment sector. This is a growth area right across Australia right now, with excellent career prospects over the next 3-5 years.
Early childhood qualifications
To get started in early childhood education in Australia there are 3 important qualifications — each will prepare you for different roles.
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)
The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care equips Child Care Workers, Nursery Assistants, and Creche Attendants to supervise young children (2-5 years) while delivering educational activities and games. This is a great entry-point to a career in early childhood education.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)
Child Care Centre Managers require a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care to gain employment in Australia. This qualification teaches you how to maintain a safe and healthy child care centre while nurturing children’s creativity and agency. This is a fantastic way to build a solid career.
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
Pre-school and early childhood teachers in Australia must hold a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Some institutions (especially those attached to a school) require their early childhood teachers to be registered with their state’s regulatory authority for teachers. You can really make a difference delivering accredited educational programs.
HOT TIP: the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business advise a current shortage of trained Child Care Workers and Child Care Centre Managers. Completing a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care can equip you for these in-demand job roles.
Supporting requirements
Anyone working with children in Australia must have a clear (and current) National Police Check and a Working With Children Check. Many organisations also require you to hold a current First Aid Certificate.
Personal qualities
Qualifications, police checks, and first aid certificates are all important but to really make a difference in the lives of the next generation you need certain areas of aptitude. Before making the leap into Early Childhood Education consider if you have:
- Diplomacy - can you balance (with a smile) children’s agency, parental demands, and care centre compliance
- Written communication skills - it’s not all painting and dress-ups, you’ll also have official paperwork and compliance documents to prepare and maintain.
- Attention to detail - you’ll be attending to a host of children’s dietary and behavioural needs — as well as ensuring the security and safety of everyone at the child care centre or pre-school.
- Energy - it can be really strenuous keeping up with a group of little ones, working days can be long so you will definitely need a high stamina
Ready to get started?
If you’re bursting to get started, go ahead and request course details from our Early Childhood course providers. You could be just an email away from the career of your dreams.