Early Childhood Educator - Career Advice - Community and Health

Family Day Care Worker
Out of School Hours Care Worker

Practical or Mechanical

An Early Childhood Educator assists in the social, emotional, physical and educational developmental needs of infants and young children in child care centres, hospitals and educational centres. Future Growth Very Strong

An Early Childhood Educator will be expected to manage children's behaviour and guide their social development appropriately, and provide assistance in preparing materials and equipment for educational and recreational activities.

An Early Childhood Educator will also entertain and educate children by reading and singing to them, as well as playing games.

ANZSCO ID & description: 241111: Provides care and supervision for children in programs, such as long day care and occasional care, in childcare centres, hospitals and educational centres (registration or licensing may be required).

Specialisations: Pre-primary Teacher; Preschool Teacher;

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Early Childhood Educators need:

have a degree in Early Childhood Education
to be willing to accept responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the children in their care
to work as part of a team
good communication skills and the ability to relate well to children
patience, and a keen eye for any potential behavioural concerns
a good level of physical fitness to be able to lift children and child care equipment.
able to relate to children and their families
a keen desire to teach children
willing to learn
good problem-solving skills
sound literacy and numeracy skills
high-level planning and organisational skills
enthusiastic, tactful, patient and a sense of humour
prepared to work outside of school hours.

Nursery

Duties & Tasks

Early Childhood Educators may perform the following tasks:

plan and implement developmental programs based on observation of individual children
promote language development and self-confidence through storytelling, drama, music and discussions
work to standards set out in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
deliver and assess against the EYLF
observe and record children's growth, behaviour and development, and discuss with parents
integrate children with special needs into the program, modifying the program and the physical environment if necessary
supervise and train staff
prepare play and learning materials and set up the children's environment
supervise children's play, making sure of their physical safety at all times
help children with daily routines such as toileting, dressing, eating and sleeping
guide children's behaviour and social development
prepare light snacks and meals
maintain a safe, clean, appealing environment
supervise and work with student teachers and trainee childcare workers
perform simple first aid in emergencies.

Working conditions

Early childhood teachers work in government-owned pre-school centres, early education classes, community kindergartens and community childcare centres. You would normally work a standard number of hours during the week, Your working hours will vary depending on the type of setting you work in. State funded and community preschools are normally open during school hours, whereas long day care centres usually offer extended hours, including during some school holidays.

You would also spend time outside of your standard teaching hours planning, preparing and assessing activities, and attending parents' evenings and training sessions.

Early Childhood Educators can work varied hours, and be expected to do shift work. They need to be able to stay on their feet for long periods. Their duties will vary depending on the age of the children in their care. For example, caring for a group of 0-3 year olds can be quite different to caring for a group of 4-6 year olds. Early Childhood Educators often work in teams.

Tools and technologies

Early Childhood Educators will use a range of educational and play equipment and materials daily, from playdough, paints, dress-up clothes, cardboard boxes, and large plastic playground equipment and musical instruments. Almost anything that is non-toxic and safe for children to manipulate and play with may be used.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an Early Childhood Educator you usually need to complete a formal qualification in early childhood education and care.

To work in child care centres in Australia, you must obtain a National Police Certificate and a Working with Children Check issued by the Working with Children Screening Unit of the Department of Community Services. You may also need to hold a current Provide First Aid Certificate.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of early childhood teachers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected due to a continued focus on the importance of early childhood education and the growing population of pre-school aged children.

Did You Know?

In 2008, 1.5 million Australian children aged 12 years or less had regular child care arrangements. Around 750,000 children usually attended formal child care and about one million children attended some type of informal care. Around 250,000 children attended both formal care and informal care. About two million children had no usual child care arrangements.

Use of formal child care varies with age and is primarily used by children aged 12 months to 4 years, whereas the use of informal care is more consistent across age groups.

In 2008, 9% of children aged less than 12 months were in formal child care. For children aged three years, the proportion usually attending formal care peaked at 50%, after which it declined to 20% by age five, 14% by age nine, and only 3% by age 12.
(Source: ABS)

Child with Back Pack

Family day care educators provide education and care for babies and children in the family day care educator's own home under local government, community-based or privately operated management Future Growth Very Strong schemes.

ANZSCO ID: 421112

Knowledge, skills and attributes

enjoy working with children
able to relate well to children and their parents
able to work independently and as part of a team
able to use judgment to prioritise tasks
able to cope with the physical demands of the job
18 years of age or older

Family Day Care Worker
(Source: The Conversation)

Duties and Tasks

Family day care educators may perform the following tasks:

provide a range of activities and experiences that are designed to promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual development for each child
supervise the activities of children in their care, ensuring their physical safety at all times
support and guide children's behaviour using positive strategies
maintain a safe, clean and appealing environment for children
ensure meals and snacks provided for children are varied and nutritionally adequate
take children to and from school or preschool
perform first aid in emergencies
maintain records of children's development within identified learning outcomes
provide feedback to parents about their child's day
maintain accurate attendance records
maintain a register of emergency telephone numbers such as those of parents, doctors, police, ambulance and the fire brigade
maintain a daily record of accidents, illnesses and the administration of medicine in accordance with requirements

Working conditions

Family day care educators may work during standard business hours, before and after school, during school holidays and sometimes overnight or on weekends.

Many family day care educators are self-employed, operating from their own home.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a family day care educator you usually have to complete a VOC qualification in early childhood education and care. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a family day care educator through a traineeship in Early Childhood Education and Care or School Age Education and Care.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

To work as a family day care educator, you will need to obtain a Working with Children Check (NSW) or a Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT).

You must also hold a Provide First Aid Certificate and have completed training in anaphylaxis management and emergency asthma management.

An out-of-school hours care worker provides stimulating and developmentally appropriate activities for children aged 5-12. Hours of duty vary for after-school and vacation care (ranging from part time or casual Future Growth Very Strong to full time).

OOSH care workers implement programs during school terms and school holidays for children who attend before and after school centres and vacation care programs. They relate well to children and address individual needs, often working part-time or casually.

ANZSCO ID: 421114

Alternative names: Out-of-school Services Worker,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

alert, observant and active
able to use judgment and initiative
willing to accept responsibility
able to work as part of a team
able to relate well to children and their parents
patient
able to lift children and equipment.

Duties and Tasks

Assists in the preparation of materials and equipment for children's education and recreational activities
Manages children's behaviour and guides children's social development
Prepares and conducts activities for children
Entertains children by reading and playing games
Supervises children in recreational activities
Supervises the daily routine of children

Working conditions

Child care workers' duties and hours of work vary and they are often required to do shift work. Child care workers often share basic tasks and work in teams. They spend long periods on their feet and often have to lift and carry children and move equipment.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To work as an Out of School Hours Care Worker, you'll need:
•Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care
•Working with Children Licence

Recommended
•First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Awareness training
•Diploma of School Age Education and Care