Are you in secondary school and want to stay connected to community while making a difference?

The school-based traineeship (SBAT) in CHC30121 Early Childhood Education and Care allows you to complete year 12, gain your Higher School Certificate (HSC) and finish school as a Certificate III-qualified ECEC educator with the confidence and capability to start working immediately.

This traineeship includes practical and theory-based learning to work in services for children from birth through to and including school age.

Jobs you can do with this training include:

• early childhood educator in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service

• school learning support officer Preschool (SLSO) or Aboriginal education officer (AEO) and work in a NSW Government public preschool

• family day care educator or operate your own family day care service

• out of school hours care educator and work in a before and after school or vacation care service.

Find out more about the ECEC school-based traineeship.

Once you gain a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care you can continue study towards a diploma.

Not in high school and considering a career in ECEC? The Certificate III (CHC30121) is the first step towards a fulfilling career in ECEC. You might study towards a Certificate III straight from school, or any age.

There are no prerequisites for a Certificate III and it typically takes 6 to 12 months to complete. You will learn to provide safe, meaningful and inclusive education and care for children using play-based learning.

Jobs you can do with this training include:

• early childhood educator in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service

• school learning support officer Preschool (SLSO) or Aboriginal education officer (AEO) and work in a NSW Government public preschool

• family day care educator or operate your own family day care service

• out of school care educator in a before and after school or vacation care service.

The NSW and Australian Governments also fund thousands of fee-free training places that will allow you to study at no personal cost, which you can learn more about on the ECEC skills page.

Do you hold a Certificate III in ECEC and are looking to upskill? Take the next step in your early childhood education career by becoming a diploma-qualified educator.

Gaining a diploma of ECEC (CHC50121) will take 12-24 months and you must have completed your Certificate III in ECEC prior to commencement. The diploma prepares you to lead and manage within an early childhood education and care service and ensure children receive quality, inclusive care.

Jobs you can do with this training include:

• room leader/lead early childhood educator in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service

• ECEC service manager
  

• early childhood centre director in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service

• early childhood educator in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service

• school learning support officer Preschool (SLSO) or Aboriginal education officer (AEO) and work in a public preschool

• family day care educator or operate your own family day care service.

The NSW and Australian Governments also fund thousands of fee-free training places that will allow you to study at no personal cost, which you can learn more about on the ECEC skills page.

Did you know once you obtain your diploma you may be eligible for an accelerated pathway to gaining a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education? Find out how you can be degree-qualified in just 2 years through an accelerated pathway.

Are you diploma-qualified with at least 2 years’ experience in the sector? Advance to the next stage in your career by becoming degree-qualified in just 2 years.

Many universities offer an accelerated pathway. Explore the options available by visiting Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

TAFE NSW also offer an accelerated pathway. Students who have completed a nationally recognised Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care will get credit for the first year of the degree and will require only 3 years (full time) to complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5).

Are you passionate about childhood development, pedagogical practises, ethics and social justice? A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education could be for you.

A bachelor's degree in early childhood education has an emphasis on the critical first 5 years of a child's life. This degree equips you with the skills necessary to positively impact cognitive, emotional, and social development of children through play-based learning.

Career pathways include:

• early childhood teacher in a long day care, community or public preschool or regional mobile preschool service
  

• service educational leader
  

• coordinator/leader of a multi-service hub or facility

• family day care coordination unit educator or manager

• child and family services support worker or manager

• primary school teacher for years Kindergarten to year 6 in a government or non-government school.
  

Find out how you can be degree qualified in just 2 years through an accelerated pathway.

Already have a degree in early childhood education? A Master of Inclusive Education provides an additional layer of speciality knowledge and skills. This master can take 6 to 12 months to complete and is offered at many universities.

Explore bachelor’s and master’s degrees in NSW at UAC and search for campuses near you. When searching for courses make sure to apply for those that are recognised by Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Visit ACECQA’s website to Check your qualification is NQF approved.

As a graduate, you're eligible to apply for NESA Provisional accreditation.

You don’t need to be an educator or teacher to join the ECEC sector. Support roles are essential to providing the best care for little learners. Each of these roles have unique requirements including a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and can include first aid, emergency asthma management and anaphylaxis management training.

Consider these roles:

• ECEC service administrator in a long day care, community preschool or regional mobile preschool service
  

• cook in a long day care service

• volunteer.

Enquire at your local ECEC service for current or upcoming job opportunities or search for job vacancies at IWorkForNSW, Worforce Australia and The Sector and Work in Early Learning.