Early Childhood Education and Care is a rewarding and growing profession which provides high quality education to children from birth to 5 years of age. There are several positions and educational roles which include working in early childhood or kindergarten settings, Family Day Care or Out of School Hours Care settings.
Do you have a passion for Early Childhood education? Here are some questions for reflection:
Are you keen to advocate for Early Childhood Education?
Children have lots of energy, interests and ideas that can be embedded into their everyday interactions. You can be a part of their learning journey, development, and support children’s self-regulation and developing social skills. You will work collaboratively with the team, children, and families to provide learning opportunities that support children to meet their milestones at a pace that suits each individual child. Working in partnerships with families means that you will develop relationships with a shared goal - children’s wellbeing and development!
Would you like to be part of a nurturing team?
An important attribute of Early Childhood Educators is the ability to nurture. Nurturing children will enrich children’s learning and growth, whilst supporting them on their journey to develop emotionally and socially. Your relationship with children is integral to children’s sense of belonging within a social group.
Can You Communicate Well?
Communication skills are integral to your role as an Early Childhood Educator. Your communication skills with colleagues, children and families will enable you to engage in shared decision making about children’s wellbeing and development.
Your communication skills will support respectful and reciprocal relationships which will enable you to explore best outcomes for children.
Your communication skills and collaborative approach with parents/guardians who entrust their children in your care, will enable you to use listening skills and conflict resolution strategies to identify families/children’s needs and concerns that may be raised by families within a timely manner.
You will share the privilege of working with children with ”special rights” and embed an inclusive and equitable program which will embrace the diversity of all children/families in your care.
Pursuing A Career In Early Childhood Education and Care
Does your passion to build on children’s knowledge and strengths draw you to Early Childhood Education and Care? If you believe that it does, the next step is to learn about ways that you can access education to become a childcare professional.
The first thing that you may want to research is information from Registered Training Organisations such as Bendigo TAFE about your training options.
You should also learn about Early Childhood regulations and the laws in your particular city and state. This will help you find out if there are any specific classes or certificates that you need to begin working as a childcare professional.
Get in touch with your local higher education institution to learn about options that they have for training in Early Childhood Education and Care. You also need to begin gathering as much experience as you can, even while you are still taking classes to learn about childcare. Try to see if any of your family members or close friends will let you take care of their children or enquire at your local school or care centre to see if they need interns or volunteers. These kinds of positions are a great way to get some real-world experience with childcare and may help you decide what specific kind of childcare you are best suited for.
Does your friendly nature make you the perfect childcare worker?
If you want to make a quantifiable contribution to the world, becoming an Early Childhood Educator is a great beginning. Be sure to explore your options and learn as much as you can about the early childhood profession so that you can give yourself the best possible chance at successfully entering this field if you believe it is the one for you.
Take Advantage of Free TAFE* at Bendigo TAFE
The Victorian Government announced in 2023, that it would be offering more Free TAFE* courses and Priority Pathways for eligible students. The great news is that our Early Childhood Education and Care courses fall under the Free TAFE* initiative. Not only can you start working towards a career you’ll find incredibly satisfying, but you can do it tuition fee free.
Courses include:
· Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
· Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
If you would like to find out more about getting certified for a career in childcare, check out one of Bendigo TAFE’s wide variety of courses, or drop us a line for some help.
* Free TAFE on selected courses only. Eligibility criteria applies. Other fees and charges may apply. For more information freetafe.vic.gov.au
