How To Become An Early Childhood Educator?
An overview followed by Demi’s -one of our Educators- report on her personal experience
When searching the internet for the answer to the question “how to become an Early Childhood Educator?” you first come across descriptions of qualifications and certificates and an enormous number of various courses and providers. This is, of course, wonderful.
But you find out less when it comes to whether this profession is the right one for you, what made others choose this path, and what everyday life as an educator is like. That’s why we asked Demi, an educator at Journey Early Learning Banyo, about her personal experiences, and she was kind enough to answer our questions. As we would like to give you an excellent first insight, we also want to put the general information first:
Your career prospects as an Early Childhood Educator
Generally speaking, it is an excellent time to enter the profession of an early childhood educator. With a rapidly growing sector, now is the perfect time to join and build a career with meaning.
Nationally recognised qualifications
The National Quality Framework (NQF) sets out the qualification requirements for working in child education and care across Australia. This means you can work anywhere in the country with a recognised early childhood qualification.
You can also work in a childcare centre while you study. There are many flexible ways to enter the sector. There are a variety of jobs and support to apply what you learn while you earn money.
Variety and opportunities
Early childhood is diverse and full of opportunities. In Queensland alone, more than 38,500 people are employed in over 3,100 accredited childcare centres. And approximately 50,000 people are working in Victoria’s ECEC sector, including 15,000 kindergarten/preschool education staff and 34,000 childcare services staff.
Career path
A career in early childhood offers a wide range of opportunities to progress into leadership, management, and support positions. You can start as a level III educator or trainee and work your way up within the sector or enter the sector as a qualified educator or facility manager.
Early childhood qualifications open up further employment opportunities where you may or may not work directly with children. You could use your qualification to:
– work in a school, teaching children in the early years (preparation to grade 2)
– work in a kindergarten program in a state school in rural and remote Queensland, teaching children in the pre-primary year.
– Support early childhood care through education
– Work in government to:
- Regulate and monitor early childhood services
- Develop and implement early childhood policy.
– Educate and train others in early childhood at a registered training institution or university.
Learn More: Educator Support At Journey Early Learning
Interview with one of our Journey Educators: What is it really like to work as an educator?
We asked Demi. Demi has been working at Journey Early Learning Banyo for over 3.5 years and is happy to share her experiences.
What was your way to becoming an educator? What did you want to become when you were a child?
“I have always wanted to work with children. So when I finished school, I first tried to be a teacher’s aide at a school. But at that time, there weren’t enough jobs available. At least not in my closer surroundings. And then I became aware of the Journey Early Learning Centre in Banyo and thought, maybe I should give it a try.”
What happened next?
“I signed up for my diploma, started studying, and became a casual educator here at Journey Early Learning Banyo. In the beginning, I was floating a bit. This way, I could look into different rooms before I was put into the toddler’s rooms where I am since.”
That has been quite a change in your plan to educate older children and then work with younger ones.
“I’ve always loved to work with kids. Like that was always the plan. It didn’t matter what age I wanted to work with the kids. But it’s so special being able to see them grow up and see them reach their milestones. It’s been exciting because I’ve been here for a while now. I’ve seen the whole cycle. So I’ve seen them start in the nursery, then they’ve gone to kindy, and then we’ve just had our kinder graduation over the weekend. It’s just like a whole cycle of seeing them grow up. And now they are ready for school.”
We would love to give an honest insight into being an Early childhood educator. What is the most challenging aspect of your profession? Is it seeing the children moving up or maybe communicating with parents?
“That’s a good question, actually. I wouldn’t say moving up. The moving up is it’s bittersweet. Like you’re proud of them because you’re happy they’re moving up, but you’re sad because you’re not going to spend as much time as them with them. But I feel like that’s not the hardest part of my job. I think it’s just paperwork, probably. Getting everything done in the in the time of the day.”
There is much more to it to be an educator than one can see when you are entering a room for the first time.
“Yes! That’s for sure. It is fine, but you have to be organised.”
You are talking about the special moments in your professional life. What are the most rewarding moments that make you forget about paperwork?
“I love the mornings when the children are getting dropped off, and they run from their parents, and they come over to you and give you big cuddles. Maybe that doesn’t sound too special, but for me, it is.”
What do you love to see in prospective colleagues? What should they bring with them?
“I love to see people come in with an open mind and willing to try out new things, especially when you come in for the first time. Maybe being an Early Childhood Educator differs slightly from what you initially expect, such as just mentioned. Still, it is a good opportunity to see children grow up and work with people with the same passions as you.”
What is your most precious time during the year?
“For me, it’s getting to settle down at the end of the year. Most of the large workloads are done, and you can relax and spend a lot of quality time together. And making presents for families. We love giving back, so we want to do like cards for some of the people in our community. We’re going to hand them out with our children during a walk, which is another good opportunity for one of our so beloved little excursions.”
What is it like to work for Journey Early Learning?
“Journey was my first job in the early education sector, and I feel fortunate to have found such a supportive company to work for. During my time at Journey, I have worked up from a casual educator to an assistant educator and have been a leader for over a year. After being an assistant within the Toddler 1 space for a few years, I was encouraged to step into the lead position, which has been the best decision of my working career.”
How is the atmosphere at Journey Early Learning? How would you describe it?
I have always felt highly encouraged and supported by everyone in my centre, as well as by our Co-Founders Anthony and Ryan and the whole Journey team. Journey has become a big family to me, and everyone around is willing to hear our wants and needs and celebrate our achievements together! It’s fantastic.”
A gentler conclusion could not be found, even if one would try very hard, so we want to thank Demi for sharing her experiences and insights into everyday life as an educator.
If you are now interested in the profession or Journey Early Learning, please look at our job offers or contact our Talent Team directly.
We look forward to hearing from you.
