Early Childhood Teacher
Work with children between two and five years of age to promote their learning and development.
Job opportunities
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Jobs on SEEK right now
Job growth
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be an Early Childhood Teacher?
Early Childhood Teachers work with young children (usually aged between two and five years of age) to promote their learning and help them to develop key skills for the future.
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Tasks and duties
- Planning and implementing activities to develop and enhance children’s learning, creativity, wellbeing, communication, social skills and physical ability.
- Observing, recording and assessing children’s development, learning and progress.
- Liaising with parents and professionals such as maternal and child health nurses, speech pathologists and psychologists to support children’s health and wellbeing.
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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.Early Childhood Teachers work in kindergartens, childcare centres, special education settings, government and non-government primary schools, and may work in metropolitan, rural or remote areas.
How to become an Early Childhood Teacher
- Complete a relevant bachelor degree such as a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). Alternatively, if you have already completed a bachelor degree in another discipline, complete a two-year Master of Teaching (Early Childhood).
- Register as an Early Childhood Teacher with the relevant Teacher Regulation Authority in your state or territory.
- Ensure you have a current Working with Children Check. Some employers may also prefer you to have a First Aid Certificate as well as anaphylaxis and asthma management certifications.
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Latest Early Childhood Teacher jobs on SEEK
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Location
AustraliaTop skills and experience requested in recent job ads
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Early Years Learning FrameworkAnaphylaxis ManagementNational Quality StandardNational Quality FrameworkFirst Aid CertificateTeaching Early Childhood EducationChild Protection ServicesVit RegistrationCommunication SkillsSkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Is Early Childhood Teacher the right role for me?
Working hours for Early Childhood Teachers
Overtime
Weekends
Shift work
Late nights
Often
Sometimes
Never
Job market trends for Early Childhood Teachers
Location
AustraliaProjected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
2021
2026
Source: National Skills Commission. Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK role reviews
Latest Early Childhood Teacher reviews
Latest reviews from 104 Early Childhood Teachers surveyed on SEEK.
All
Positive
Negative
Sep 2023
If you learn to take care of yourself as well as you take care of children, you will have a long, healthy and fulfilling career in early childhood education.
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
The good things
Being an early childhood teacher can be incredibly rewarding for several reasons. You have the opportunity to positively influence and shape young children's lives during their most formative years. Y...
The challenges
While being an early childhood teacher can be rewarding, it also comes with its share of challenges and drawbacks. Many early childhood teachers face relatively low salaries compared to the level of e...
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May 2021
Teaching in early childhood is challenging but the rewards out weigh the negatives
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) (Honours)
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Pre school
The good things
The role is enjoyable and rewarding, though it can be very emotionally and mentally draining. You are frequently expected to be doing things after hours or in your own time
The challenges
The way we are viewed compared to other teachers even though we also spent 4 years at uni is the worst part. We are seen as babysitters not teachers
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