How to become a child care worker

If you believe patience is a virtue, love tapping into your inner child, and want to play an active role in nurturing and educating future generations, have you ever considered becoming a child care worker?

Working in child care can best be summed up with two words: fun and rewarding. It’s fun because a huge part of the job description is to hang out with children, playing, reading, crafting, talking, and being creative alongside them. The rewarding part comes from creating and implementing the learning programs that help children learn important lessons, and seeing their skills flourish in your care.

Does child care sound like the perfect job for you? Read on to find out how (and why) to become a child care worker.

 How to become a child care worker

Becoming a child care worker is a lot of fun, but it is also a big responsibility – therefore, it can take time to gain the proper accreditation. There are certain qualifications that you should gain before entering the industry.

Wondering how to get a child care certificate? We’ve listed some below, but note that these are just the minimum. In this role, you will always be learning – just like the children you care for.

To become a child care worker, you will…

• Require a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113), including 120 hours of work placement
• Require a clean background check (click here to find out how to get child care clearances, or here to find out how to get a blue card for child care)
• Be encouraged to do a First Aid certificate including CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma Awareness training.

Of course, it also depends on which settings or roles you would like to work in within the industry. Eager to try one of the below positions? These are the qualifications you should gain…

• Early Childhood Assistant or Worker: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)
• Education Assistant, Support Worker or Teacher Aide: Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care (CHC40113)
• Early Childhood Educator or Centre Director: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)

What are common skills and experience for a child care worker?

Beyond gaining the proper accreditation, there are other skills you should possess as a child care worker that aren’t necessarily taught in tertiary education. These include:

• Verbal communication skills
• Planning and running activities
• Relating to children
• Critical thinking and decision making
• Compassion and patience
• Monitoring and evaluating children
• Problem-solving skills
• Fitness and stamina
• An understanding of the code of ethics in child care

Is being a child care worker right for you?

Sometimes your idea of a certain industry doesn’t quite align with the realities of the job – and that’s okay! But to help you work out whether becoming a child care worker would be the perfect role for you, ask yourself these questions…

• Do you love kids?
• Can you be patient and flexible?
• Are you dependable?
• Are you willing to pursue further education and training?
• Are you resilient?
• Can you communicate well with children and their parents?

Apply for a job at Edge Early Learning

Now that you have a better understanding of how and why to become a child care worker, it’s time to consider the ‘where’. Edge Early Learning is rapidly growing, with centres popping up all over South East Queensland and South Australia. We are just as passionate about employing and nurturing our staff as we are about providing quality education and care for children. Click here to find out how we can make a difference, together.