The need for Early Childhood Educator workers in Australia is on a rise. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a child is born every 1 minute and 43 seconds in Australia. Among various other factors, this childbirth rate reflects the career opportunities that Australians could avail in the field.
What is an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)?
As the name suggests, an Early Childhood Educator is a professional who works in a children’s care and development settings. The role of an ECE is to deal with the planning and implementation of different learning programs for children. These programs are for the age group of children from infancy to age 6.
Such programs involve taking care of and providing primary assistance towards the emotional, social, and physical needs of the children.
The key objective of these activities is that children from an early age become self-sufficient. This will help these children succeed and overcome challenges they would face in the future.
Average salary for Early Childhood Educators (ECE) in Australia
Before moving forward, let us quickly review the average salary for Early Childhood Educator in Australia.
According to the PayScale.com, the average base hourly rate for Australians working as ECE is AU$25.43 per hour. This is based on the range of gross hourly rate, with the lowest rate being AU$21.04 and the highest rate being AU$30.83.
However, this hourly rate does not include any bonuses, commissions, overtime payments, or other benefits.
So, when combined with additional income supports, the annual income of an Early Childhood Educator might range between AU$43,000 and AU$64,000.
Why are some Early Childhood Educators professionally dissatisfied?
Despite having an increasing demand, many professionals remain dissatisfied with the profession.
This is because of several challenges that they come across, such as –
Low Pay
Childcare workers are among the lowest-paid Australians, with an expected annual salary ranging between AU$43k and AU$64k. Some Educators are taking on a second job for a supplementary income. Others are leaving the sector. In other words, the industry loses skilled workers at a time when the workforce should be growing to support the demand.
Loads of documentation for every child and every day
As an ECE, there is a lot of paperwork involving documentation of even the tiniest of issues for every child. Many Educators agree that the expectation of the amount of paperwork that must be done is unrealistic.
Slow or no career progression at all
While the chances of an increased pay with an increase in experience can be expected, a career in Early Childhood Education has little or nothing to offer in terms of career progression.
Parents sometimes complicate things
Although it is their right to get worried about how their child is developing, some parents overreact. Many over-complicate things for Early Childhood Educators.
Dealing with kids is not just a mere fascination
While it is indeed a prerequisite that you love children before opting for a career in Early Childhood Education, as an ECE, dealing with many kids every day requires utmost patience.
5 Ways to boost career as an Early Childhood Educator
If you are planning to choose Early Childhood Education as a career path, there are a few things that you can do to boost your career and adopt growth.
In addition to fulfilling the minimum qualification required, to become a recognised Early Childhood Educator, the following 5 ways can help you greatly in advancing and enabling your career growth.
Invest in training and courses
As an Early Childhood Educator, you should invest your time and resources in getting enrolled in various training and courses. Aside from aiding your existing skills and knowledge in the field, these training and courses also add weight to your resume. At the end of such programs, participants are also awarded certifications.
Attend conferences and workshops to learn more and network with other people
Attending ongoing conferences and workshops regarding the field is another great way to learn more. Also, to network with other people from your profession.
Oftentimes, the objective of these conferences and workshops is the professional development of individuals.
By attending such events, you increase your chances of being among professionals who have insight into new strategies and evolving methods in Early Childhood Education.
Continue levelling up your formal education
Even though you have passed your initial degree and training program, this is just the beginning.
Take admission in further degree and diploma programs in other educational institutions to upgrade your formal portfolio.
Search for new career opportunities
If you are unsatisfied with your job as an Early Childhood Educator, do not hold yourself back from looking further and finding new career opportunities.
Avail any new opportunities that require more effort and determination on your part. Accept challenges and prove yourself to be worthy of being assigned a more responsible position.
Start a Family Day Care (FDC) business
You can also become your boss and lead your Early Childhood Educator career in your own way by starting a Family Day Care (FDC) business.
By being self-employed, you get to choose when to work, how much to work, and subsequently, increase your earning potential.
Starting a Family Day Care (FDC) business can be an excellent career choice as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). However, you might lack some knowledge and expertise to make it happen smoothly.
This is where Family Day Care Academy’s course about “How to Start a Family Day Care Business” kicks in. By offering the right approach and the complete step-by-step guide, you can easily learn how to start and run a successful Family Day Care Business.
So, enrol now and leap to boost your career in Early Childhood Education.
