Occupation Introduction
Early Childhood Teachers work with young children to promote their learning and help them to develop key skills for the future. They plan, organise and conduct activities to help pre-primary school students to develop a wide variety of skills including speech, reading, writing, motor skills and social interaction.
A key part of being an Early Childhood Teacher is the ability to relate to, and understand, young children and work with them in groups and individually.
Registration or licensing is required.
Job duties
Early Childhood Teachers Teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, art and literature to early childhood (pre-primary) students and promote students' social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Some of the most common tasks and responsibilities of early childhood teachers include:
•Planning and structuring learning in both indoor and outdoor environments using a variety of materials and equipment to facilitate students' development
•Providing a variety of experiences and activities to develop motor skills, cooperative social skills, confidence and understanding
•Promoting language development through story telling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal discussions held individually and within groups
•Observing students to evaluate progress and to detect signs of ill health, emotional disturbance and other disabilities
•Observing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students' progress
•Discussing students' progress with parents
•Attending parent interviews, and staff and committee meetings
•Participating in community and family support programs as appropriate
•Supervising student teachers on placement
Employment status
Early childhood teachers are employed in education and care services for children aged 0-8 years by state and territory education departments, government and non-government schools or childcare centres. They may work in metropolitan or remote areas, or Aboriginal communities. Self-employment opportunities exist as the proprietor of a private preschool or childcare centre. Other opportunities may be available as home tutors.
The Facts about Early Childhood Teacher in Australia:
•Future Growth: Very Strong
•Full-Time Share: 56% Full-Time
•Average Working Hours: 42
•Weekly Pay: $1,488
•Employment by State:
oACT: 1.8%
oNSW: 35.2%
oNT: 0.9%
oQLD: 16.5%
oSA: 8.7%
oTAS: 2.0%
oVIC: 24.1%
oWA: 10.8%
Education requirements
Here is the distribution of education level of early childhood teachers in Australia:
•Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 16.3%
•Bachelor degree: 59%
•Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 16.3%
•Certificate III/IV: 4.6%
•Year 12 or below: 3.8%
Recommended Courses:
Diploma of Early Childhood, Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching
