Skills You Have To Learn For Working In The Child Care Sector
Everyone enjoys being around children; their presence brings joy to people. If one has a passion for children, big or small and wants to help develop their personality and skills, then a career in the child care sector would be great. One could wonder what to do next after knowing they want to pursue a career in childhood education. Well, the key is enjoying the process of getting qualified as much as enjoying the end rewards of being in a fruitful career.
Maturing childhood educators understand that they already possess the passion and care they need to participate in the right child care courses. This will help ensure that they are well-trained and certified to teach, influence and support young children during their significant years.
The educators need to be competent and skilled in managing children’s emotions, solving conflicts, planning activities and helping them develop physical and social skills. In addition, they also need to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment for children under their care. One could consider early childhood education learning as a continuous process as neither the children nor the days will be the same.
Available Childcare Courses
The childcare sector is a vast industry in Australia. Some childcare courses are available that can help a student possess the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this role. The childcare courses are:
- Certificate 3 in Early childhood development and care
If a student wants to start a career in childcare, the first sensible step is to Join Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This course helps to provide one with the basic skills and knowledge required to commence a career in childcare. The certificate III courses can be completed online and on-campus at different institutions.
This course will introduce one to the day-to-day working in the childcare sector and providing care for children over there; the course includes:
- Providing care and help
- Health and safety
- Eating healthy food and snacks
- Creating a positive, encouraging and respectful environment
- Emergency first aid and response
This course is a perfect introduction to Australia’s expanding and demanding child care industry.
- Diploma in Early childhood Development and care
If a person wants to advance in childcare training and wants a managerial role in a childcare facility, then associating with a Diploma childcare course would be ideal. By enrolling in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, one can take their career to the next level and learn enhanced skills. This course can help one become a childcare manager, leader or centre owner.
One does not need to complete certificate III before taking part in the Diploma course. The changes from ACECQA (a national authority that helps Australian state governments implement a national quality framework) mean one can directly engage in diploma courses.
What Intuitive, Soft, And Innate Skills/Traits Are Needed?
Children learn a lot from people around them, not just from parents and guardians. For someone who is going to be with them for various hours of their week, they must have soft skills and can teach them to children. This can help children appreciate the values of these skills and learn them. Some of the required skills are-
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Patience
People who have spent time with children, whether as a parent or a babysitter, will undoubtedly understand the importance of patience. The value of patience not only helps one provide quality child care sector but also keeps one from losing temper, venting out frustrations and lashing out irrationally on children.
It is also due to patience that one can effectively communicate with children to ensure that they understand messages and requests and make logical decisions.
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Compassion
One needs to have a true desire and passion if they want to make a difference in developing children’s young lives. This will only help one have a rewarding and long career in childcare. In addition, one needs to practise what they preach; teaching values of empathy and compassion is a part of the role.
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Proper communication skills
Communication means interacting with children in childcare centres and properly communicating with their parents and guardians. That could be anything from an exciting achievement, a summary of their day or deep conversations around struggles a child could be facing.
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A lot of energy and enthusiasm
As pointed out earlier, no two days in a childcare centre will be the same. One day, one could have external entertainment that could capture a child’s attention, while another could be facing intense heat with little children struggling to stay calm.
Further in that week, one can have kids full of energy, running around outside playing with their friends. In short, on any given day, one would require a lot of energy to keep up with children. It could be playing outside with them or helping them to create a masterpiece with arts and crafts.
What Else Is Needed To Work In Childcare?
There could be some other things that might be needed to work in childcare, some of those are-
- WWCC (Working with Children Check)
The WWCC is a government-led screening process that evaluates an individual’s history to ensure those working in childcare centres will not pose any threat or risk.
- First aid certification
Childcare educators or supporting members in Australia must complete an ACECQA-approved First Aid certification every three years.
- Anaphylaxis management
Additionally, childcare educators need to complete an accredited anaphylaxis management course with first aid. The course can be completed simultaneously as the First Aid course.
Enrol In Childcare Courses
For people fascinated by children and want to make a career taking care of children, childcare courses are a must. The different childcare courses in Adelaide can help people acquire various skills needed to take care of children at an early stage. Many Child Care Courses in Adelaide are available for students who wish to be a part of the childcare sector.