In this post
What is Early Childhood Education? Make a Difference in a Child’s Life
Use your exceptional people skills, empathy and desire to be instrumental in the wellbeing of our youngest learners.
Early childhood education (ECE) comprises various positions in many workplace settings, and roles range from entry-level through to senior management. No matter where you fit into this essential sector, the object is the same: to support, implement and promote academic, social, emotional, and physical development to the future leaders of our world.
Your career in childhood education can be tailored to you. Early childhood education salaries vary, and jobs can be full-time or part-time, allowing you to facilitate other life priorities. There are also exciting opportunities to progress your career into senior positions. Imagine having a job that allowed you to make positive policy and framework changes — improving education systems for years to come.
So, what is the purpose of early childhood education, what qualifications do you need, and what opportunities are there for career progression in this rewarding field?
What are some of the roles in early childhood education?
Early Childhood Educator
Early childhood educators (also known as childcare workers) work in government and private childcare provider settings like daycares, creches and kindergartens. They provide caregiving services and nurture child development from babies to school-aged children.
The average salary for an early childhood educator in Australia is
$60,784
Early Childhood Teacher
Early childhood teachers, also known as preschool teachers, work in daycares, service providers, and kindergartens. They have a comprehensive knowledge of child development, and use this to collaborate with senior management to plan and provide early education to preschool children.
The average salary for an early childhood teacher in Australia is
$77,376.00
Childcare Assistant
A childcare assistant supports senior staff at daycare and kindergarten settings and provides care, play-based learning opportunities, and comfort to young children.
The average salary for a childcare assistant in Australia is
$54,637
Nanny
A nanny usually cares for children in clients homes and supports them with fundamental skills for social and brain development. They may also be required to perform household chores and run errands.
The average salary for a childcare assistant in Australia is
$49,629
24 Fulfilling Jobs That Work With Kids: Which Is Your Calling?
We surveyed a wide range of people working with children, and these are the most fulfilling jobs.
Read MoreWhat qualifications do I need to work in early childhood education?
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
This course teaches the skills and knowledge to those who wish to work in child care or early childhood education services in Australia independently and under the guidance of other care educators and senior management.
There is a 160-hour hands-on work placement required to complete this qualification.
Job outcomes:
- Early childhood educator
- Childcare assistant
- Nanny
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
This diploma qualification supports learners who wish to work as educators in early childhood education or child care service in Australia. They use specialised knowledge and may be responsible for supervising volunteers or other educators.
This qualification can provide a pathway via credit recognition into a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
There is a 280-hour hands-on work placement required to complete this qualification.
Job outcomes:
- Early childhood educator
- Childcare assistant
- Nanny
- Childcare centre manager
Undergraduate Degree, such as a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides learners with high-quality knowledge and skills in pedagogy, early childhood education programs, curriculums, and child development and wellbeing.
Job outcomes:
- Early childhood teacher
Postgraduate Degree, such as a Masters in Early Childhood Education
If you have an undergraduate degree from a recognised higher-education institute, a Masters in Early Childhood Education will give you advanced critical skills in teaching and early childhood development in a learning environment.
Job outcomes:
- Early childhood teacher
Where can a career in early childhood education take me?
Early childhood special education teacher
After you have experience working with many children, you may discover a desire to help those with developmental difficulties or disability like learning challenges, speech or hearing problems, or sensory-processing limitations.
Further study in special education will allow you to gain the qualifications to work in special education and support children with disabilities to have equal educational opportunities.
Working with Children with Disability: Everything You Need to Know
Learn how to start a career in disability support services within early childhood education.
Read More
Childcare centre or kindergarten manager
As a childcare centre manager, you’ll be planning educational programs for children and supervising a team of educators and teachers in a childcare setting. A childcare centre manager is responsible for the business’s day-to-day running and is in charge of the core administration and financial systems.
If you have a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121) under your belt and have had professional experience in early childhood care, a role as a centre manager can be a rewarding job.
Primary school teacher
If you wish to further your career and support children in a slightly higher age bracket, primary school teaching is a highly fulfilling job .
Primary school teachers educate children between five and 12 years of age. They use a set curriculum to support students in developing literacy and numeracy skills. While in the classroom, they also support each child’s social development, emotional wellbeing and health.
Through professional development and further study, you could be a teacher in no time. People with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline can complete a postgraduate degree in primary education to qualify for a role as a school teacher.
Teachers aide
Your experience in early childhood education could lead to teaching aide roles within child care settings or in primary schools.
Teachers aides assist teachers in early learning with duties like preparing teaching resources and materials and administrative classroom tasks.
Discover everything you need to know about working as a teacher’s aide.
Discover everything you need to know about working as a teacher’s aide
Discover the four steps to becoming a teacher’s aide in Australia, and learn how to make a stand-out impression in your practical training.
Read MoreWhen you work in early childhood education, it’s not only an opportunity to impact the lives of Australian children for the better — it’s a stable, enjoyable and fulfilling life-long career.
With flexible learning options, various roles and workplaces, and the opportunity to further your career in many directions, your new job in early childhood education is much closer than you think.
Want to find out if you can study a childcare course for free? This is what you should know about government funding.
Latest Articles
How to Apply for Work Placement: Tips & Resources
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exciting journey where you will practise and develop t...
11 Hobbies That Can Make You Money: Use Your Passion for Profit
Hobbies often get a bad rap. They’re seen as just a way to kill time, a mindless escape from t...
Is The Job You Hate Killing You? Why You Need to Make a Change
Do you hate your job? Studies show that staying in a job you hate has negative health effects and ev...
Want to read more?
How to Become an Online Sales Representative
Want to learn how to become an online sales representative? Discover more about this position with t...
Making a Career Change as an Older Adult: The Complete Guide
What can you do when career unhappiness is niggling at the back of your mind? As an older adult, you...
A Career in Admin? Here’s Where it Can Take You
Administrators play a vital role in any organisation. In your administration career, you might manag...