Are you interested in working in childcare but don’t have the faintest idea about what you can do with a childcare qualification?
A common misconception amongst students who graduated with an early childhood qualification is that you are limited to working in childcare centres. However, there are many other jobs and career paths you can follow. Here is a list of the top 5 jobs you can do with an early childhood qualification:
1) Nanny
While there are no mandatory qualifications need to become a nanny, many families are more likely to hire a nanny who is qualified. Parents are going to feel more secure leaving their child with someone who is able to both care and educate their child. A nanny is more than someone who is a baby sitter. You will be responsible for caring and nurturing the children in your care. You are essentially becoming another adult with whom the child will learn to trust and love as part of the family. As a nanny you could be working with the same family for up to 10 years, even more if they have other children. Some nannies even live in the same house as the child they are caring for.
As a nanny you would be expected to keep to the child’s home routine, assist with school and kinder drop off and pick up and take the child to any extracurricular classes. Some families may ask you to assist with light household duties. Families may even take you along on family holidays to help out with the care of the children. Essentially by being a nanny you are becoming a part of the child’s family life.
Salary: for a qualified nanny $25 per hour
2) Curriculum writer
As a curriculum writer you need to have both the relevant qualifications and an eye for detail. As a writer you can set up your own business as a freelancer. You can choose the hours you want to work, the days you want to work and even the location. Some writers work remotely from home or another location.
As a curiculum writer and designer you will be expected to work according to the clients brief. Of course this does not mean that you can not give your own feedback as to what you feel should be included in the content. After all you are the subject matter expert!
You could even design your own curriculum and sell it to pre schools who may be looking for help in that area. Many pre schools don’t have the time to develop their own curriculum and some do employ the help of a specialist. You need to be able to think outside the box when it comes to age appropriate activities. In some instances pre schools may hire you to write professional development activities for their staff.
This type of work can also lead to consulting for child care centres and pre schools. Some curriculum writers have also gone on wot write text books for students.
Salary : $60,000 per year full time
3) Childcare worker.
Nothing is more rewarding then working with children. As an Early Childhood graduate you can work in a child care centre. You day will consist of educating and caring for groups of children and program planning. You could be responsible for up to 10 children at a time. The age of the children in care can range from babies to pre school children. In some countries, as a childcare worker you are bound by rules and regulations that govern the childcare industry. This type of job is hard work , long hours but rewarding. Often you get to watch the children grow from babies to pre schoolers and become a part of their lives.
Salary : $35,000 per year full time
4) Trainer and assessor
This job requires you to have at least 3 to 5 years experience as a child care worker. You are responsible for training the next generation of childcare workers. Your knowledge will be passed down to those who are new to the industry, and you will be helping to create educated and competent childcare workers. This type of job requires lots of people skills as you will be training people from all backgrounds and of all ages. It’s the type of job you take when you are ready to share your wisdom and experience with others.
Salary : $40 per hour
5) Integration aid
As a integration aide, you will be working along side a class room teacher helping children who have special needs. This type of job is extremely rewarding as you are helping a child who may not have been able to attend mainstream school due to their disability. Some of the more common special needs you may encounter are children with autism spectrum disorder, a physical disability, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, and children with ADHD. As an integration aide, you are responsible for the care of the child as well as assisting the child with coping in the classroom. You will be helping the child with school work and in some cases socialisation skills.
Salary : $25 per hour
Where to find more information
Are you thinking about a career in childcare?Then Ethical Training solutions can help. Ethical Training solutions is a education consultancy that helps people who want to enter the childcare industry, as well as professional development for the sector. www.ethicaltrainingsolutions.com
