Starting a career in early childhood: your essential guide
If you’re thinking about starting a career in early childhood and want to learn more about the industry, job specifics and your training options, you’ve come to the right place!
The early childhood education and care sector is dedicated to promoting early childhood development and preparing children for school. Around 1.5 million children attend these services across Australia, with individual children attending anywhere from a few irregular hours to more than 50 hours every week. Over 200,000 teachers and educators work in this field, with a recent estimate of at least 21,000 more qualified workers needed to meet growing demand.
The first five years of a child’s life is a crucial period in which 90% of their brain development occurs, influenced by relationships and interactions with the world around them. Early childhood educators are vital to supporting these milestones, motivated to help shape the hearts and minds of young children and give them the best possible start to life.
Let’s dig deeper into this rewarding career path and what you’ll need to get started!
What’s involved in being an early childhood educator?
Early childhood education and care in Australia is delivered by qualified educators through a formalised play-based learning framework. Play-based learning (PBL) is proven to support children in all areas of their development, helping to form their sense of identity, positive relationships with others, an understanding of their communities, and their approach to solving problems.
There are two main role types in early childhood education and care that work with preschool-aged children. Early childhood teachers lead the planning and delivery of preschool or ‘kindergarten’ programs through play-based learning, whereas educators work with teachers to support them in delivering kindergarten programs.
Key responsibilities of entry-level educators:
Supporting children's learning and development, including contributing to the educational program and practice
Assisting the delivery of an approved learning framework
Developing positive relationships with children and families
Supporting the daily routines of children
Complying with service policies and legislation.
(Source: ACECQA)
To shed more light on how early childhood educators interact with children through play-based learning within a preschool setting, here are the three broad categories:
Adult-led learning where the educator plans or introduces a play experience, idea or topic to purposefully direct the child’s learning.
Child-directed play and learning where the child leads their own learning through exploration, imagination and experimentation.
Guided play and learning where educators involve themselves in children’s spontaneous play and extend their learning as opportunities arise.
(Source: Best Start, Best Life, Victorian government)
Am I suited to working in early childhood?
Do you find joy in watching children learn, grow, and discover the world around them? If so, that’s a great indication you’re suited to work in early childhood! For those who have a passion for bringing out the best in children and can keep up with their energy, this is a rewarding career path with plenty of opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of preschoolers and set them up for future success.
Creating the right environment for play-based learning to flourish means more than simply keeping children engaged or entertained. It can be challenging work and requires a particular skill set to balance safety and structure with the freedom for creativity and exploration.
Patience and empathy: working with young children often involves navigating a range of emotions and behaviours. Are you patient and able to stay calm under pressure? Do you feel empathetic towards their needs and challenges? These traits help in building strong, supportive relationships with children.
Effective communication skills: you’ll need to interact with children, parents and colleagues, explaining topics in a clear manner. Are you comfortable expressing ideas and listening to others?
Flexibility and creativity: early childhood education often requires adapting plans and using creative approaches to engage children and address their individual needs. Are you adaptable and innovative in your approach to children?
Organisation and adaptability: ability to help in planning activities and tracking each child’s progress and needs. Are you willing and able to adjust plans and approaches quickly based on children's needs and unexpected situations?
What qualifications do you need to work in early childhood in Australia?
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is the national authority that helps governments deliver the National Quality Framework (NQF) that guides children's education and care. It requires those who work with preschool-aged children and younger in centre-based services, to hold a minimum qualification. Whereas early childhood teachers require a relevant four-year bachelor’s degree, early childhood educators are eligible to work with either a diploma-level or certificate-level qualification in early childhood education and care.
The ACECQA also has rules for the ratio of qualified professionals within centre-based services; the most common setting for early childhood services. Early childhood centres providing education and care to children of preschool age and under need to meet the target of 50% of educators who must have, or be actively working towards, an approved diploma level education and care qualification (or higher). All remaining educators at the centre must hold, or be actively working towards an approved certificate III level education and care qualification.
Key skills gained from CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care:
Providing care for babies, toddlers and children
Effective communication
Supporting play and learning
Supporting basic developmental needs
Providing food and basic health services
Identifying and responding to children at risk
Legal and ethical guidelines.
(Source: Victorian Skills Gateway)
An important aspect of Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is successful completion of practical placement, which gives students the opportunity to gain exposure to a real workplace and put their skills and knowledge learnt in the classroom into action. A minimum 160 work placement hours must be completed to achieve this qualification. Prior to enrolling, you’ll also need to apply for a Working with Children Check (WWCC), which is a standard requirement for child-related work in Victoria, including work placement.
Once you’ve obtained your Certificate III, you can progress your career by enrolling in CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, to build on your teaching and leadership skills.
Training costs can often be a barrier to entry for prospective students, but the good news is that the Early Childhood course is eligible for government funding. In fact, the course fees can be much lower than you may think.
Why should I work in early childhood and what are my career prospects?
According to data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), the majority of children were developmentally on track in 2021, however too many children are still developmentally vulnerable when they transition to primary school (Australian Education Research Organisation). By becoming an early childhood educator, you can help bridge that gap and give young children the attention and resources they need to grow in confidence and capability.
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that 21,000 more qualified workers are needed to meet growing demand in early childhood education and care. That’s a huge number, based on minimum workforce figures released in 2024. Yet it doesn’t even include the estimate of an additional 18,000 qualified early childhood professionals needed to cover unmet demand in services not yet established.
There are a number of reasons behind the greater reliance on early childhood education and care, including the increase of dual-income households in Australia, the return to the office post-pandemic, plus a greater awareness of and investment in the benefits of preschool. The Australian government and policymakers are taking action to better support early childhood providers and their staff, and it’s fantastic news for those looking to enter the profession.
For instance, in June 2022, the Victorian state government announced expansion of its Best Start, Best Life reform with three major new initiatives, including the popular ‘free kinder’ program which has reportedly opened up 6,000 job vacancies. It consists of:
Making kinder free for three- and four-year-olds in participating services across the state.
Transitioning Four-Year-old Kindergarten to ‘Pre-Prep’, a universal, 30-hour a week program of play-based learning.
Establishing 50 government-owned and affordable childcare centres, requiring 6,000 new early childhood education jobs across Victoria.
Crucially, the Victorian scheme has offered funding and sign-up bonuses for early childhood teachers and educators taking up new roles. At a national level, early childhood workers are also being rewarded with a 15% government-funded wage increase beginning in December 2024 and phased in over two years, which will lift their annual wages by between $8,000 and $10,000.
Where can I work in early childhood?
In Australia, early childhood education and care is subsidised under the Child Care Subsidy (CSS), meaning governments provide funding for services and providers pass the discounts onto parents and families when enrolling their children.
There are 4 care types of eligible for the CSS:
Centre-based day care
Family day care
Outside school hours care
In-home care
Centre-based services, where children attend a classroom facility designed to support learning, is by far the most common setting for early childhood education and care. The two main programs available are ‘long day care’, also known as Early Learning Centres (ELCs), and kindergarten, which can also be referred to as preschool.
Long day care (LDC), often shortened to ‘day care’ or ‘childcare’, consists of centre-based programs offered by trained educators for children ranging from six weeks to school age. LDC centres typically have extended operating hours, opening around 6 AM and closing as late as 7 PM, making them convenient for parents and guardians who are working or studying.
In contrast, kindergarten or preschool is a program designed for children aged three to four, typically lasting one to two years. Unlike long day care, sessional kindergarten operates on set schedules, usually offering sessions that last three to five hours over two to three days each week.
How to pick the right early childhood training provider
Your choice of course and early childhood training provider is the key to setting you up for success in the industry. A reputable and student-focused provider can help you: develop relevant, job-ready skills, sustain your motivation to complete your study, provide a better work placement experience and even find post-training employment. On the flip side, an early childhood course or provider that is not aligned to your needs could delay or derail your journey, by making you feel under-valued and left on your own.
Here are some questions you ought to consider before enrolling with a provider:
Are they upfront about costs or do they have hidden fees?
Are their courses informed by close, ongoing connections with industry?
Is the training practical and hands-on for superior job readiness?
Do they offer personalised support?
Are the trainers experienced in the industry, reliable and invested in your growth?
Do they have a range of industry relationships to help you source practical placement?
Will they assist with resume development and networking towards employment?
Nepean Edge Industry Training (NIET) offers both the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in Melbourne, and takes a student-centred approach where learning is supportive and practical. For starters, we’ll conduct a pre-training review to ensure the intended course is a good fit for your skill level, career expectations, and answer any questions you may have. From there, you’ll receive end-to-end support in your training and workplace transition, including one-on-one study sessions, assistance with practical placement, and resume writing to secure employment in early childhood.
The NIET industry edge offers:
Strong Industry Relationships – our courses are designed with robust input from industry experts, delivering job-ready skills
Flexible Training – students favour the ongoing support received with in-person training, with on- or off-site customised training options for employers.
Passionate People – our professional, accredited facilitators bring learning content to life, empowering students to succeed.
Value for Money – with government funding and low administrative fees, our courses are often more cost-effective than TAFE.
Starting a career in early childhood is a big step, but with a passion for child development and access to quality training, the path ahead is full of opportunities for you to excel in shaping children’s futures. Ready to take the next step with NIET?
