With the impact of COVID-19 on employment, many people are looking for a career change. Early childhood education is a growing sector of workers, and there are various roles to chose from in this field.
Since the tourism and hospitality sectors will take years to recover, returning to work with a new career is something many people are exploring right now. So, if you’re passionate about the importance of early learning for young children, this might be the right new job for you.
It’s important to realise people who work with kids have a vital role. But, that role is often overlooked and the workers taken for granted. These are our essential workers. Without our childcare network, it would be hard, if not impossible, for many parents to work.
Those who work in early childhood are the unsung heroes of our society. Parents depend on educators to provide safe, quality care for their children.
The early years of a child’s life are the most crucial. Because growth and development happen so fast during these early years, educators have the chance to influence that development in positive ways.
Sometimes, people think childcare educators are nannies or babysitters though that’s not accurate at all. Today, childcare workers are shaping the next generation. Those values and social skills taught in the early years, will be the foundations of success for the rest of their lives.
Today, there are 150,000 people employed in childcare. Between 2014 and 2019, early childhood education grew by an estimated 22,900 jobs. With any luck, growth for the next five years will be just as strong.
Early Childhood Education and Post-Covid
However, these estimates do not consider the impact of COVID-19. You can learn more about this at JobOutlook Australia. No industry has been left untouched by the ravages of 2020, and a new normal will develop as the economy recovers. In fact, childcare educators will be a vital part of that growth and recovery.
Even so, the demand for childcare will continue to grow at about 15% per year, and there’s potential for more growth. As that recovery continues, hopefully, more parents will return to work and need high-quality childcare for their children.
If you’ve thought about a career in childhood education, this is the best time to get involved.
Recently, new funding for early childhood education was announced in some states. This funding introduces an extra year of kindergarten for all children. Over the next ten years, this additional year will roll out across the country. Also, changes to classroom ratios have increased the need for educators.
With growth and immigration, Australia’s population is likely to reach 29 million by 2027. That’s almost 4 million more people than today. All of those families will need childcare, too.
Together these factors mean early childhood education is a growing sector. Over the next 5-10 years, demand will exceed supply. So today is a great time to begin your training and join the field.
Start a New Career as an Early Childhood Educator
The first step is to have or be actively working to obtain an approved Certificate III or higher in Early Childhood Education and Care.
You will also need to provide certifications such as Police check; Working with children check (known as a “Blue Card” in Queensland and Working with Vulnerable People registration in the Australian Capital Territory); and the Child Care First Aid course certificate.
An Early Childhood Educator can work in centre-based care or start their own Family Day Care business.
It’s possible to work as a child carer and attend school online, too. There are many options for online learning to help people start a new career.
