Early Childhood Educator
What the work is
Supports learning and development for young children in regulated centre-based services, including contributing to the educational program and practice using an approved learning framework.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Contributes to the design, planning, implementation, documentation and evaluation of children's educational programs based on an approved learning framework
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with staff, children and families
- Supports the daily routines, transitions and programs of babies, toddlers and/or young children
- Complies with service policies and national and/or state-based legislation
- Promotes the safety, health and wellbeing of staff, children and visitors
- Supports children's learning, development and wellbeing
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a toddler room in a long day care centre, from the first drop-off to the afternoon pick-up. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A child who would not speak for weeks says your name for the first time
- The room hums along with children deep in play and no one needs you for a moment
- A parent tells you their child talks about you at dinner every night
Hard days
- Three children crying at drop-off and a parent who cannot bear to leave
- A day with a sick bug going around and you are covering for an absent colleague
- A parent who is angry about something that happened that you did not see
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 431132, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.