Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Australia includes ages 0 to 5 years with the opportunity for outside school hours care (OSHC), depending on the centre.
The role of an educator during this stage in a child’s development is one of the most important, as it is when the most crucial development milestones are achieved.
We spoke to the passionate and experienced team of educators at Affinity Education Group to gather 5 key reasons why you should consider a career in early childhood education!
1. Shape the minds of the future
As an educator, the role is more than a job; it is creating a safe environment for children to explore new experiences while meeting the individual child’s developmental needs in your care.
The curriculum used by our early childhood educators focuses on not only the intellectual development of children but also social, emotional, and physical development, creating a foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Zoe Aubry, Educator at Papilio Early Learning Meadowbank, said, “One of the most rewarding aspects of being an early childhood educator is being able to provide a fun and safe environment while following a curriculum that you can see with your own eyes is helping our children develop into well-rounded individuals.”
“Nothing feels more rewarding than seeing the children in your care start to recognise and interact with the world around them and knowing that you are a part of that transformation.”
The world of early childhood education and care is among the most rewarding. It is filled with like-minded individuals who don’t just work the day-to-day; they live for it! Early childcare isn’t for the faint-hearted; you have to be 100% passionate about providing the best educational and fun environments, with a love for guiding children to realise their full potential.
2. Study while you work in the industry you love
This career choice offers endless opportunities and is the fastest growing within the education sector, with a projected 16,000 additional employment opportunities by 2025.
There are various ways to get into the early childhood education industry, the most rewarding is working while you study! Although not every organisation provides this style of program, Affinity Learning Academy has been designed to provide exceptional training and support using the Lifelong Learning curriculum to nurture children’s early year’s education; all this while providing the ability to work in one of Affinity Education Group’s centres Australia-wide. Anyone finishing year 12 or re-entering the workforce can apply.
The Affinity Learning Academy provides the support of in-house coaches, fully funded courses to complete your Certification III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as, providing flexible working hours and paid study time; this being one of a very few industries that allow you to be fully supported during your learning and career journey.
3. Career opportunities
The early education industry provides a vast list of opportunities where your development is supported throughout your career. At an Affinity Education Group centre, we offer an on-the-job training approach, allowing you to earn while you learn and allocated paid training sessions that are flexible around your schedule. The Affinity Learning Academy programs have been selected to provide ongoing training at any stage of your career, supported by Career Development Coaches, many of whom were once educators themselves.
There are many career opportunities and pathways to select from once you’re qualified and have had the experience of working within a centre environment, including:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Lead Educator
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Centre Manager / Assistant Centre Manager
- Centre Cook
- Centre Support Roles
4. Employee Benefits
Working within a service-based industry such as early childhood can also bring some great benefits.
Although every organisation is different, most centres will provide employees with a discount on the gap fees for childcare, for parents employed by the centres.
Affinity Education Group provides a generous 50% discount with no waiting period on top of a range of other benefits. You also receive excellent parenting support, and most centres are very flexible.
As an early childcare educator, no two days are the same! Because of this, most centres have a flexible approach to working arrangements, including providing great flexible shift options for work-life balance and studying in an industry that understands that ‘life happens’.
Madison Ellis, Educator at Papilio Early Learning Hunters Hill, explained, “Flexible study and easy access to the student portal helped me juggle my preschool workload being (full time/room leader), while keeping up with work admin, observations and higher duties. I completed most of my diploma assessments well before their due dates because I could use this flexible study and support from my amazing coach Misty Callen.”
“Before finishing my certificate III and diploma with affinity traineeship, I found what really helped me in my studies and completing my assessments by their due dates was being able to pick up longer days (10hrs from 8hrs) and drop Fridays so that I could work on my diploma. This flexibility with work/shifts and roster helped me maintain work-life balance as I didn’t have to work over my weekends to get my assessments done.”
“What I really liked and appreciated was the guidance and flexibility that my trainer provided through my diploma. She was extremely helpful and supportive,” said Madison.
Working within a larger childcare organisation can come with some additional benefits and support. Having centres located throughout Australia allows the opportunity to relocate without leaving the support and culture of the team, as well as having a much larger support system throughout your career.
5. Support
The support you receive while studying is endless; however, this doesn’t stop once you are qualified. For an Affinity Education Group team member, you have a large network of more than 4500 educators and teachers across more than 195 centres and dedicated support, quality and safety teams throughout Australia to lean on and learn from. Quality and safety are a large focus for the industry, as these are two pillars are what families rely on for the health and wellbeing of their children in your care.
When looking for appropriate organisations to start your childcare journey, quality and safety should be at the forefront of your mind.
One of our Affinity values is ‘being completely connected’, and through this, we actively provide continual support to our educators, families, and local communities.
How to get started
If you’re looking for a fulfilling career and ready to start your journey in early childhood education and care, contact our People & Culture experts for a friendly chat on 07 3515 771 or email through to hr@affinityeducation.com.au.
