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 Homepage

How to Become a Childcare Assistant: A Creative Career for Nurturing People

Good and capable childcare assistants can completely transform a child’s (and a teacher’s) daycare experience. They’re the people who are constantly playing, listening to and supervising children while teachers may be busy prepping materials, teaching lessons, or communicating with parents. Child care assistants work closely with young children and encourage development through play.

To become a childcare assistant, complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (​​CHC30113). You also need your Working with Children Check and First Aid Certificate to begin your career in childcare.

childcare-assistant
  • Overview
  • How to Become
  • Pathways
  • Qualifications

Childcare assistant job description

info Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed childcare assistants about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

Childcare assistants help childcare teachers with child supervision and play. They are responsible for maintaining an organised, clean environment that is hygienic and safe for children, and assist the teacher with the execution of learning activities. They also provide additional help to children if they need it.

Tasks and responsibilities for a childcare assistant

Childcare assistants assist teachers and educators in the daily routines expected of a childcare centre, kindergarten or community centre. 

A child care assistant‘s job description includes:

  • Setting up, cleaning and organising all materials required throughout the school day
  • Encouraging constructive, meaningful play with children
  • Providing comfort, reassurance and extra help to children who may need it
  • Helping plan and implement stimulating activities with the childcare teacher
  • Maintaining exceptional sanitary and safety standards

How to become a childcare assistant

To become a childcare assistant, you need to complete these four key steps.
  1. Complete an Australian Working with Children Check

    A WWCC is an ongoing assessment that determines whether someone is a risk to children and includes a police background check. All workers who intend to work in child-related industries must have a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). In Queensland, this is called a “Blue Card”. To obtain your WWCC, you can apply through your state government’s website and provide proof of identity.

  2. Complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)

    This is the minimum qualification required to become a childcare assistant. This course teaches the technical and theoretical knowledge required to be a childcare assistant. Study teaches you a broad range of skills, including caring for children at various ages, supporting their development mentally and physically, supporting play, and behaviour management techniques. During a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, you are required to complete a work placement.

  3. Undertake a work experience placement during your studies

    Work placement requirements vary in length depending on which education provider you choose. Usually, work placement can sit between 120 hours to 180 hours and is incorporated into the course’s timeline. First aid training is sometimes required before commencing your work placement. Usually, your education provider helps you organise your work placement via a network of childcare partners.

  4. Successfully obtain your First Aid Certificate

    Childcare centres, schools, and kindergartens require at least one on-shift staff member to be fully trained in first aid and CPR. Some places of work may require multiple. To be prepared for any requirements, you should have a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate.

Pathway options

info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

Childcare assistant jobs aren’t the only fulfilling role in this field. As the demand for professionals in the childcare industry grows, so too do the opportunities for childcare assistants. 

From kindergartens to community centres, there are plenty of career growth opportunities.

Junior

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education officer

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Education Support (CHC40213)

  • Teacher’s aide

    Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Education Support (CHC40213)

  • Childhood educator assistant

    Most common qualification: Certificate III in Education Support (CHC30213)

  • Childcare worker

    Most common qualification: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)

  • Indigenous Language and Culture Teaching Assistant

    Most common qualification: Certificate III in Education Support (CHC30213)

Mid

  • Early childhood teacher

    Most common qualification: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)

Senior

  • Childhood education manager

    Most common qualification: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)

  • Outside school hours carer

    Most common qualification: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)

Explore related qualifications

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)

Study method In-class Online

This course helps you develop a strong basis of childhood learning frameworks and techniques. You also obtain all the critical health and safety skills required of a childcare assistant. There are no entry requirements for this course, and the average duration is usually around 12 to18 months of full-time study. Study can be both in-person and online.

A Cert III qualification can lead to work as a:

  • Childcare assistant
  • Childcare worker
  • Teacher’s aide
Read More

6 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Insight Training Group Australia Pty Ltd
Swinburne Open Education
Gateway Training Academy Pty Ltd
Foundation Education
Kirana Colleges

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)

Study method Online

A diploma care course goes more in-depth into the knowledge and skills required of children’s services workers. A Diploma qualification also has a longer work placement, with an average minimum of 240 hours. This qualification can take anywhere between 12 to 18 months of full-time study to complete, depending on your education provider and how they choose to incorporate work placement into the course’s duration.

A diploma qualification can lead to work as a:

  • Childcare education teacher
  • Child care worker
  • Children’s program leader
  • Education support officer
Read More

3 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Insight Training Group Australia Pty Ltd
Foundation Education

First Aid Certificate

First aid courses are quick and relatively cheap to complete. A first aid course usually only takes one day to complete. However, most providers require you to complete a separate CPR course. First aid courses can be taken at any time and are offered by multiple national organisations, such as Australia Wide First Aid and St Johns.

Read More

Related subjects

The childcare industry is quickly growing extremely diverse. It’s a field that has numerous career opportunities that all look different. Other roles in child care are abundant and provide the same feeling of fulfilment.

Child Care
Child Care
Education
Education

Related articles

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Reviews

info How we collect reviews

Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.

Is this your job title?

Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Taylah
Sep 03 2021

Interacting with children building positive relationships is rewarding.

What are the best parts of the job?

Interacting with children is the best part of the job. I love nurturing them through play and education.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The constant cleaning is a bit of a bore.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Jacky
Sep 04 2021

Rewarding to be able to care for children.

What are the best parts of the job?

I’m able to take care of others. Taking care of the kids especially is something that really fulfills me.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

All jobs have difficulties of course. The job can get really busy and frustrating sometimes.

Read More
Qualification Advanced diploma
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Early learning and in special teaching
Krystal
Sep 04 2021

It's fulfilling to help children learn and achieve new things.

What are the best parts of the job?

Seeing the children's faces when they accomplish something.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

The paperwork — there's a lot of it.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Bernice
Sep 04 2021

Forming relationships with children is a great feeling.

What are the best parts of the job?

Building bonds with children is really rewarding. Some of them can be shy, and seeing them become comfortable with you is a great feeling.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Meeting children’s needs can be a challenge. Some are demanding, while others aren't great at communicating what they need.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Melissa
Sep 04 2021

A fun career doing what I love.

What are the best parts of the job?

Organising fun activities where the kids get to play and learn at the same time.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

I don't find the job challenging, it's a joy to work with kids.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Ennamarie
Sep 05 2021

Contributing to children's growth and development.

What are the best parts of the job?

Watching the children grow and develop is so rewarding.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Meeting each child's individual needs is the biggest challenge. Children all need help in different ways and figuring out how to best support each child requires passion and effort.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Andrea
Sep 06 2021

Love helping people, but it's hard when they're sick.

What are the best parts of the job?

Helping people with disabilities is where my passion lies.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Helping people when they are really sick can be difficult.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Specialisation Elderly
Emma
Sep 07 2021

Children's needs can be complex at times but overall childcare is such a rewarding career.

What are the best parts of the job?

Supporting children and families to reach goals, overcome challenges and become their best selves.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Children have so many complex needs, and meeting them all can be challenging.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Early childhood
Kim
Sep 07 2021

Organisation is an important factor to helping the children learn and grow.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with children to help them grow, overcome hurdles and have fun everyday is the best part of the job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Organisation is a key part of the job, but it's a big challenge. There's a lot riding on your ability to come to work prepared everyday which can be stressful.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Kasey
Sep 07 2021

Rewarding to guide children's learning journeys.

What are the best parts of the job?

Teaching and guiding children under the age of five is where my passion lies.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Redirecting children when they exhibit challenging behaviours.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 10+
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation Early years
Erica
Sep 07 2021

Rewarding, but it's crucial to have behaviour-management skills.

What are the best parts of the job?

It's rewarding helping kids, and it's a special feeling knowing you've played a big part in thier development.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

When the kids push boundries it can be difficult to keep your cool.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Suzy
Sep 07 2021

Amazing to watch the children grow and develop, but behaviour management can sometimes be a challenge.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being able to watch my kids grow up and understand who they are is the most rewarding part of the job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Having to control their emotions and not knowing how exactly to calm them down is very stressful.

Read More
Qualification Graduate certificate
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Fern
Sep 07 2021

Love seeing the children happy.

What are the best parts of the job?

Seeing the smiles on children’s faces as you help them learn and play is amazing.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Difficult children add a lot of stress to the job.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 10+
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Gabby
Sep 07 2021

Love playing with children and caring for them.

What are the best parts of the job?

I love that I can play with children everyday. These interactions are so special.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Behaviour management is the main challenge in this role.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Elle
Sep 11 2021

Love working with kids but can be stressful trying to look after them all at the same time.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working with the little ones is really rewarding. Even though I'm supporting children to learn, I've found that there's a lot I can learn from them too!

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Trying to take care of all of them at once is stressful.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Mariella
Sep 11 2021

Only good aspect is the pay.

What are the best parts of the job?

The pay check is what I look forward to the most.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

I find every single aspect of the job challenging.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
May
Sep 11 2021

An inspiring career helping children grow and learn at the start of their education journey.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being involved in children's learning and development is so rewarding. It's amazing to be building strong bonds with them as they find their way through this world in their play and exploration.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Being seen by people outside the industry as merely babysitters when we are in fact supporting children at the start of their learning stage.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 10+
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Ellie
Sep 11 2021

No two days are the same, so be prepared for anything.

What are the best parts of the job?

Everyday is different, and you can make a huge difference to children's well-being and development.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

You have to be flexible as everyday will be different. Be ready to work with others and learn more about things and behaviours that challenge you.

Read More
Qualification Graduate diploma
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Leanne
Sep 13 2021

Helping children grow and develop is great, but being understaffed isn't.

What are the best parts of the job?

I enjoy observing children and being able to extend on these observations. To analyse and continue to offer children experiences that help them develop and challenge ideas. Being able to keep them engaged and allow them to enjoy their interests is very rewarding.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Being understaffed is the biggest challenge. Having 21 toddlers in one room with four educators, but not all educators being trained to do nappy changes means you have to do more then what’s reasonably expected of one person. Having lots of challenging behaviours within the room, but not having consistent staff that can help and support the educators and children to have a safe and supported experience is hard.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 10+
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Hiroko
Sep 14 2021

I love being part of yound children's lives and watching them grow.

What are the best parts of the job?

No two days are the same in this career. I love being a part of the child's life. It's great being able to contribute to and support their growth and learning. I can watch them grow from a baby to an independent young human. There's nothing better.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Understanding individual children's needs and being on the same page as parents can be hard. So can supporting children of different backgrounds or children with special needs. Any family problems, like domestic violence, add a lot of stress.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 200+ employees
Kim
Sep 14 2021

Can develop relationships and watch children grow, but there's not enough support.

What are the best parts of the job?

I love building bonds with families and children, and being present to watch the children grow and learn new skills.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

There's a lack of support for workers, and it's frustrating when families don't understand our profession.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
Yasmine Jnoub
Sep 14 2021

Rewarding to help children learn and grow.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being able to care for school children and providing them with rich and fulfilling learning experiences is amazing. I aim to empower them to become informed and active citizens.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Misbehaviour issues are challenging. Students not wanting to cooperate, do the work and follow instructions due to lack of motivation adds extra stress.

Read More
Qualification Bachelor’s degree
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Specialisation English and humanities
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