Thinking of starting a new career in child care, or are you in the industry already and want to know about the options to advance your career? Open Colleges Careers has spoken to a range of experts in the child care and education support industries, including child care workers, Early Childhood experts, child care students, nannies, “mummy bloggers”, business men and women, and more.
Getting a Job in Child Care
The child care industry continues to grow. According to recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1.5 million children aged <12 years were in regular child care. Around 750 000 children attended child care and about 1 million children attended informal care. The industry is very large and more formal regulations were brought in in 2012, and the sector continues to expand.
According to Job Outlook until 2018 the number of job openings for child carers is expected to be greater than 50 000. Child care is a stable industry for those seeking a profession with longevity.
1 million children are receiving child care services in Australia, according to Early Childhood and Child Care Minister Kate Ellis*.
The number of approved child care services across Australia increased by more than 600 over the year bringing the total to 15 147*.
Changing Careers
Many people choose to work in child care because they find it to be a fulfilling and rewarding career path where there may be expanded options to work in full-time, part-time, casual and flexible roles.
What Types of Child Care Jobs Could I Do?
There are over 27,000 family day care educators. Over 104,130 families use family day care. Over 179,200 children are enrolled in family day care*.
Do you plan on starting your own business in the child care or education support sector? From nannying to blogging, to mentoring others and running small businesses, there are many options for those who wish to branch out on their own.
Babara Bryan - Manager of Single Mum Australia
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Nikita Cosgrave - Co-owner of an online business
View moreThere are many different types of jobs to choose in the child care and education support sector. Hear from people in a variety of different roles.
Overcoming Challenges and Barriers in the Industry
Are you looking for a flexible career? Child care and education support could be a good option for you. In fact, according to Job Outlook, 29.1% (nearly a third) of roles in child care are worked part-time. Women hold 36.9% of full-time roles and men hold 38.8%. In many cases, roles can be casual, contracted or flexible.
50%: The number of part-time jobs in child care occupy just over 50% of the market place*.
If you’re thinking of getting back into the workplace after a career pause, or if you’re starting a brand new career, doing a work placement can be a great way to gain real, practical skills and to make industry contacts. All Open Colleges courses in child care and education support contain a work placement, as well as resources and advice on how to get one, and make the most of it.
The Australian Government recently announced the creation of a $200 million fund to support training, skills development and other professional development activities for early child care educators*.
Essential Advice for your Career
Back in 2012 the Australian government made some changes to the certification levels required by child care workers.
Certificate III
All child care centres and primary schools require their frontline staff have (or are working towards) a minimum Certificate III qualification.
In a child care centre, the Certificate III worker works under a supervisor who is qualified with a Diploma or higher. In a school classroom, the Certificate III worker works under a supervisor who is qualified as a teacher or higher (e.g. DipT, BEd)
Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Management and supervisory workers in a child care centre must hold a Diploma and/or Advanced Diploma qualification/s. They may supervise workers who hold a Certificate III.
Links to child care and education support courses
CHC30213 Certificate III in Education Support
CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Lisa Bryant - Consultant Early education and care sector
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Megan Hamper - Childcare student
View more*Sources: Minister Kate Ellis: Newsroom , Australian Bureau of Statistics , Sage Child Care stats, Inspire education blog post