Early Childhood Educator

Geelong has grown into an education hub. With growing schools, University and TAFE training capacity, Education and Training is the third fastest growing employer in our region. Overall numbers of teachers and trainers are up 17.2%, since 2011, and 37.3% since 2006. Some careers, like early childhood education, have grown 76.03% since 2006.

Early Childhood Educator
What does a Early Childhood Educator do?

  • Develops age appropriate activities for pre school children.
  • Meets with parents to share progress and concerns about individual students.
  • Identifies and promotes necessary skills in all developmental areas.
  • Structures indoor and outdoor play and skill building activities for students.
  • Supervises staff
  • Works with fellow educators to prepare students to progress to the next level
  • Plans and delivers learning outcomes for pre school children childhood centres, pre schools, childcare providers

What do I need to be good at?

  • Keeping up with and keeping safe students of young ages.
  • Communicating with teachers, parents, and students.
  • Creating age appropriate activities to build skills and create learning opportunities.
  • Observation and knowledge of age appropriate skill sets for children of this age.
  • Possible meal or snack preparation with healthy food choices.

How much does a Early Childhood Educator get paid?

Starts at $49,113 and progresses to $84,307 depending on your experience.

How does a Early Childhood Educator get trained?

At school by

  1. Doing a year 10 work experience with an employer in careers that teach.
  2. Undertaking a VET in schools childcare course.
  3. Commencing a school based apprenticeship in childcare where you complete your schooling, while working and studying part time.

At the Gordon TAFE or other registered training organisation by

  1. Complete a Certificate II, III or IV in Early childhood education, which takes between six months to two years. The great thing is you can begin employment while you study.

At university

  1. You can take an undergraduate degree at university in primary school education.

On the job

  1. Look for a school based apprenticeship or full time apprenticeship with G Force, an individual employer or another apprenticeship provider. You can complete your training, get experience and get paid all at the same time!

Where are the jobs for Early Childhood Educator?

For jobs right around Australia, check out www.uworkin.com
For jobs in Geelong see our live job feed on www.geelongcareers.org.au

How do I get experience?

At school, look for year 10 work experience opportunities. Ask your careers teacher or VET or VCAL coordinator about a Year 11 /Year 12 Structured Workplace learning placement. For examples check out the Education Department Website.

Left school or seeking a new career in this trending industry?

You can ask a careers that teach employer, like your local school, after school program or early childhood education provider for a voluntary work opportunity. You will need a working with children’s check.

Keep an eye on Geelong Careers for traineeship or apprenticeships opportunities. Experience will help you stand out. And don’t forget the Volunteering Geelong website.

What does this job lead to?

With further training qualified early childhood teachers can become specialists in:

  • Primary school teaching
  • Secondary school teaching
  • University lecturing
  • Early childhood psychology
  • Secondary school teaching
  • Student support: autism, disability teaching, literacy, numeracy specialism