Early childhood workers have one of the most essential and rewarding jobs in Australia. Working with children of all backgrounds, they support a young person’s early development and help them to feel safe, secure and happy in new environments.
If you love spending time with children and helping them grow, a career in Childcare could be for you. This article will explore everything you need to know about Childcare and the desired skills needed to be successful in the industry.
The importance of childcare
Childcare workers are essential to the early development of children. They support children through learning, playing, and interaction outside of their family sphere.
A child’s brain grows to 80% of adult size by age 3 and 90% – nearly fully developed – by age 5. During these earlier years, children’s brains develop essential connections they need to function in adult life.
These developmental stages are where neural connections that make the brain function are enabled. Brain cells (or neurons) enable us to move, think and communicate, as well as shape how we see the world around us. Childcare workers, therefore, play an important part to ensure each child continues to learn new motor skills & achieves healthy socialisation.
To prepare for schooling years, childcare is crucial to teach children how to learn. Childcare professionals provide opportunities for children to begin to engage with new subjects and listen to new information & explore particular concepts and elements the children are interested in. Great Childcare professionals drive a passion to learn, which children will take with them throughout their lifetime.
Childcare worker professional responsibilities
The duties of Childcare workers are varied and fluctuating, depending on the age group they are working with. On a daily basis this can include responsibilities such as:
- Preparing healthy meals – most facilities include food and snacks for children. As a Childcare worker, you will help educate and set the foundation for future healthy eating habits.
- Keeping hygiene standards high – changing diapers and keeping a sanitary space is essential. Workers play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest health standards are met for the children in their care. This prevents unwanted germs, illnesses and keeps the children as safe as possible.
- Organising curriculums – not unlike primary school teachers, Childcare workers are responsible for organising a curriculum. Having a variety of activities helps children learn new processes and explores their interests, as well as aiding their neural development.
- Promoting schedules and routines – routines are important for children. Childcare helps children stick to a healthy balance between playing, rest, and learning through activities.
- Reporting on children’s development – every child has different speeds and styles of learning. It is important to keep a record of a child’s progress and learning behaviours, so parents can track their child’s interests, routines, and progress.
Childcare salary
According to Job Outlook, Childcare employs over 150,000 Australians and the industry has grown at a very strong rate of 17% over the last five years. Roughly 47% of the workforce is employed full-time and the average take-home pay is $950 per week. Depending on your location, education level, and industry experience, the pay could be higher than this.
Childcare also offers a high degree of flexibility, as centres are open for a long period during each day, your hours can be suited around further study or around school hours if you are a parent.
Is childcare a good career match for you?
If you are on the fence about whether Childcare would be a good career choice, here are some of the reasons why the career might be perfect for you.
You want to become an ‘in-demand professional’
If a secure job is one of your main priorities, Childcare is a booming industry. The demand for Childcare workers continues to grow year on year. So, why is the sector so strong?
There are two main reasons for this. The first reason is there are changing guidelines on educator-to-child ratios. For children under 2, the guidelines are 1 adult to 3-6 children. For children aged 2-5, 1 trained adult should not care for more than 6-10 toddles.
The second reason for the growth is there are more children in Childcare than ever before. As Job Outlook reports, the demand for Childcare workers is expected to grow a huge 7% over a ten year span from 2016 to 2026!
You want a rewarding career
Early childhood educators help shape the development and the lives of children aged from 0 – 5 years. Through these years, it is important for cognitive and emotional development. Qualified educators inspire children’s love of learning and shape important social skills.
Childcare educators have the opportunity to help children prepare for the transition to school. They help shape future generations and experience the joy of working with young people every day.
You want endless career opportunities
Qualified Childcare educators have the opportunity to work in a variety of private and/or government centres. This may include residential centres, kindergartens, dedicated childcare centres, and crèches. Depending on the facility, responsibilities can vary so you can have the opportunity to work across varying roles.
How to become an Early Childhood Educator in Australia
The minimum requirement to work in early childhood is to hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113). A Working with Children Check and First Aid Training is also required.
Many professionals continue with study and choose to complete short courses to further career opportunities. Often this is to work with other age groups, a desire to become a teacher or simply wanting to possess a broad range of professional skills. Starting with practical industry experience and then continuing study is valuable to workplaces and could increase your employability chances.
Is childcare a good career?
Although Childcare can sometimes be challenging, it is rewarding to work in a fast-growing industry with young minds. If you love children and have excellent communication and multi-tasking skills – the industry could be a perfect fit for you. With numerous vocational education and training providers in Australia, there are various learning methods to gain your accreditations.
If you think a career in childcare is right for you – go for it. The industry continues to transform and there are endless opportunities for career growth.
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