During these critical years of development, children acquire essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity, and socialisation. Skills for life!

By fostering a love of learning, promoting playfulness, and nurturing growth, educators enable children to lay the groundwork for a fulfilling and joyful life.

Why early childhood education is so vital

Studies have demonstrated that the first five years of childhood are crucial in the development of positive lifelong habits. During these years children develop interests of their own, have their first experiences outside the home, learn to communicate and begin to socialise.

The best early childhood educators nurture children in this crucial period of learning and growth. Their role is diverse and encompasses things like:

• Promoting children’s learning through play
• Facilitating socialisation
• Developing healthy habits
• Encouraging creativity and critical thinking
• Fostering a sense of identity and belonging

Giving children quality education in their earliest years provides them with the tools they need to start building a rich and vibrant life.

Collaborative care together with parents and families

Early childhood educators don’t just work with children. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and this is very true where early learning is concerned. Educators partner with parents and families to support all aspects of early life, from identifying learning styles and behaviour to providing care while parents and guardians are at work.

For these reasons, early educators play a key role in the community as a whole. When we aim to secure a bright future for the youngest among us, we create a better future for us all.

High demand for quality educators

There has never been a better time to enter the early childhood sector. With incredibly high demand for workers and increased government funding pledged across the entire sector, jobs are available and opportunities to start a rewarding career abound.

The government’s new vision for early childhood education and care

Formed in anticipation of last year’s Jobs and Skills Summit, a new vision for the sector is now beginning to take shape. At the heart of this vision is affordability, equitable access and quality education and care. These values will be used to drive sweeping reforms.

In a draft document released for consultation by the Federal Department of Education, the government notes the key role ECEC plays in the health of communities and the economy at large. The new vision aims to deliver key outcomes, including:

• All children are supported to reach their potential
• First nations children are empowered to embrace their identity and culture
• Parents and carers who want to work or study can do so
• ECEC is an entitlement for all families
• ECEC workers are values, respected, supported and retained in the sector
• The ECEC workforce is sustainable with new workers inspired to join
• Governments are stewards of the system
• Governments are aligned and accountable

Building solid foundations

To reach these goals we’ll need to build some new foundations. The draft document identifies some key enablers, one of which is attracting and retaining a quality workforce. Another is accountability – as stewards of the new vision, governments will need to work with sector leads to establish clear roles and responsibilities.

The key role of early childhood educators

Encouragingly, the draft document underscores the important role of educators in bringing about this vision. ‘The ECEC workforce is highly skilled, valuable and professionally recognised,’ it states, and a crucial part of the new vision will be inspiring, training and supporting workers.

The document goes on to highlight how a sustainable and experienced workforce builds positive relationships with children. It underlines that educators are invaluable to the health of our communities and economy.

While some in the sector may feel this is long overdue, it’s heartening to see the government making good on its promise to revitalise the sector. Significantly, the new document provides educators with some well-deserved recognition.

Our commitment to the new vision

Registered Training Organization’s (RTOs) like Practical Outcomes play a key role in training and inspiring passionate educators who are capable of making a real difference in children’s lives.

Our courses in early childhood education and care are designed not only to provide entry into this vibrant sector, but to expand the possibilities of where your career could take you. It’s an exciting time for early childhood education, and becoming part of the new vision could be the best decision you ever made.

Are you born to be an educator?

If you’re passionate about education, like working with children and can see yourself becoming an inspiring role model, a career in early childhood education could be perfect for you.

Let us help inspire you.

As well as having fun with children, a role as an educator is an important one. As an early childhood educator, you provide care and educational experiences for children during their most critical developmental period.

From birth until age five, the brain undergoes a phenomenal amount of wiring and growth, and a high-quality early childhood education experience can have a lasting impact on a child’s development and their future. Being an early childhood educator gives you the opportunity to truly support children in getting the best start in life.

The key responsibilities of an early childhood educator

In a career as an educator in the early childhood education sector, you will definitely spend time with children, but what else is involved? There are many duties and responsibilities that are part of the job, and they don’t always involve children directly. Here are a few of the key aspects of an early childhood educator role:

Planning engaging experiences: To ensure children get the most from their early childhood education, it’s important to offer them meaningful, stimulating experiences. These need to be planned in advance to ensure you have everything you need to provide the experience. You might find that as an educator you get to be creative and will always be on the look out for new ideas to engage children, from outdoor exploration to art and craft and everything in between.

Observing children’s experiences: Part of your role as an educator is to make observations about a child’s early childhood education. This is to see where they are at developmentally, assess what they enjoy or don’t enjoy, and perhaps determine their readiness for school when the time comes. Observations enable you to see whether a child’s needs are being met and their interests are provided for.

Communicating effectively with families and children: Families put a lot of trust in early childhood educators. It’s a privilege to be trusted to care for their children! Keeping an open line of communication helps to give families peace of mind and create strong bonds. Parents will often want to know what their child has been up to while in your care, and making the effort to communicate effectively shows that you are invested in the wellbeing of each child.

Role-modelling: The way you behave and interact can have an impact on the children in your care. Being an early childhood educator is also being a role model to many young, impressionable children. Speaking calmly and clearly, actively listening and being polite are just a few examples of how you can show children how to be the best they can be.

Managing health and safety: When you take responsibility for caring for young children, managing their safety is paramount. There are many things you must do to keep children safe, such as minimising hazards that could result in harm. You will need to clean and sanitise thoroughly to reduce the spread of germs or illness, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic. You will also need to ensure children’s wellbeing is taken care, ensuring they have access to water, are comfortable in clean and dry clothing and fresh nappies and have the opportunity to sleep or rest at the appropriate times.

Having an in-depth understanding of your duties as an early childhood educator puts you in good stead to shine in your career. Plus, it means that you will be contributing to upholding the National Quality Standard (NQS) and helping children to flourish.

Early childhood educator job: getting qualified

If you think you’re ready to get started as an educator, the first step is to enrol in the required course. To be qualified you need to undertake the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This course covers everything you need to know about working in early childhood education and providing children with a positive and valuable experience. You can complete this course via distance or workplace training mode.

Once you are enrolled in this course you are able to start working in an early childhood education setting! You’ll also need to do a practical placement as part of your course. This might be able to happen at your own early childhood education workplace, or for those who are not learning on the job throughout their course we can help you get a practical placement near you to get that essential hands-on experience.

There are many pathways to progress in an early childhood education career too. From starting out as an educator, you can then explore further studies and upskill to make your next move. For example, the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care will equip you to become a Room Leader/Lead Educator.

The Practical Outcomes early childhood education qualifications are of the highest quality, and so are our amazing trainers. Support is a must when you’re studying and can have a notable impact on your success. Each learner enrolled with us gets their own dedicated trainer who has plenty of sector experience to share and will guide you every step of the way.

There’s no need to be nervous about studying online — our state-of-the-art online learning portal makes it simple and flexible for you to study your way.

Talk to Practical Outcomes about getting enrolling in a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care — within 12 months you will be a fully qualified educator enjoying a fun and fulfilling career in the growing early childhood education sector.

At Practical Outcomes we understand the importance of quality training and education and that’s why our trainers are dedicated to supporting their learners to make a real difference in the sector.

To understand on a personal level the satisfaction delivered from enhancing the development of children, we asked some of our ECEC trainers to tell us why they enjoy working in the sector and training the future generations of educators.

Making a positive impact on the lives of children

Working in early childhood education and care provides an opportunity to make a difference in the way a child approaches learning for life. Early childhood educators encourage, nurture and support positive outcomes in children’s health, wellbeing and lifelong learning.

Educators care for young children in their formative years of development, and play an important role in their understanding of the world around them. They are also present for many important moments and “firsts” in the children’s lives, and this can be very rewarding and special to experience.

In addition, working in the sector can also offer personal reward and satisfaction, with educators making important contributions to helping children grow and strengthen their cognitive and emotional development.

Knowing that the relationships that we build and the learning we support the children to do is a stepping stone for their learning journey is very special thing to be a part of.  – Kristy, Practical Outcomes Trainer

Supporting children through milestones and achievements

Being an educator means you are that trusted person that provides care and comfort to a child in need, supporting and working through any challenges and celebrating achievements. Playing a role in that “village” that raises a child, early childhood educators are a part of a team of individuals with  unique and differing values and experiences but with similar goals of working to better the lives of young children.

The sheer joy of being with the children – being in the unique and privileged position of being present to support them and celebrate their milestones and achievements is so rewarding. – Angela, Practical Outcomes Trainer

Developing the future generations of educators

Every learner who chooses Practical Outcomes to gain their early childhood education and care qualifications will have the support of a dedicated and experienced trainer who is committed to helping them achieve positive outcomes within their learning journey and preparing them to become confident and skilled educators.

Some learners have strong determination for why they need to study, and you know from the get-go, it is going to be smooth sailing. But there are other learners who need to be supported to understand what their daily responsibilities would be like, what it takes to be a confident team member, to learn how to be that adult that children will look up to and come to when needed. My learners know that I am here for them and with them, fully accepting them for who they are, not judging them for questions, being understanding and compassionate to all their needs – together it makes us an amazing force. – Natasha, Practical Outcomes Trainer

Our trainers provide ongoing support, via coaching and mentoring throughout each learners study journey, ensuring a pleasant and rewarding experience for each individual learning style. The professional training our trainers provide helps learners to form a strong understanding of their responsibilities, and a contemporary understanding and image of children which best supports the child to thrive and maximise his or her potential.

I can share not only my knowledge but my passion for the sector. I have the ability to empower future educators to continue to improve the sector as it continues to evolve. – Angela, Practical Outcomes Trainer

Whether learners are entering the sector for the first time or are upskilling for their career development, the support that our trainers offer can help learners build on their strengths and knowledge and learn how to put these into real life practice.

I enjoy training because I love sharing my experience and knowledge. When I was an educator and a leader, I noticed how the new generation of educators carried lots of gaps in their knowledge, therefore I decided that it was time to fill that gap, helping to build a better future of early childhood education professionals. – Cristina, Practical Outcomes Trainer

Support for lifelong learning

This Education Week we would like to thank all of the educators for their dedication and outstanding work that they do each and every day in caring for children and developing their skills for lifelong learning.

For more information about working within the ECEC sector and how to get started, contact us today.

As an early childhood educator, you provide essential caregiving and play-based learning experiences for children during a critical time of development. The first five years of life see more neural connections formed in the brain than at any other time in life.

With this in mind, educators require training to develop the appropriate skills and qualities that will equip them to give children the very best start possible for a thriving future.

The skills and qualities of an early childhood educator

When you think of an early childhood educator, what comes to mind? Kind and patient? Gentle? Sure, these are lovely qualities but being a successful educator goes further than that.

There are various important skills and qualities an early childhood educator requires to deliver the highest quality early childhood education experience for children. Here some key areas that are necessary to develop as you work towards a career in early childhood education:

Critical thinking

This is the ability to evaluate, compare and form opinions. Useful for solving problems in the workplace or making assessments.

Empathy

Being able to understand the way others are feeling and respond appropriately is a must in any workplace. This could apply to relating to children, parents or other educators.

Adaptability

Sometimes situations change, at times quickly, and it’s important to be able to adapt to new conditions.

Growth mindset

To have a growth mindset is to believe that we can all improve our abilities through learning. With a growth mindset you are more likely to be motivated in the workplace and support others in striving for goals too.

Reflectiveness

Being capable of reflecting on our approaches, behaviours and learnings is a great tool to self-assess through thoughts and optimise outcomes.

Collaboration

Teamwork is crucial in the early childhood education workplace, so being comfortable with collaboration is a soft skill will help you to flourish in this environment.

Confidence

Working with children you need to have the confidence to be a little silly sometimes and speak up as needed. A little confidence goes a long way for you to succeed.

Communication

Effective communication skills underpin relationships. Developing these skills will ensure that you can send and receive clear messages with others, improving bonds and understanding situations accurately to inform your actions.

Listening

An extension of communication skills, listening to what others have to say, whether they are children or adults, plays an important role in creating a meaningful relationship and a clear understanding of a person feels or needs to thrive.

Decision-making

Making decisions can be challenging, but developing this skill along with other soft skills like reflectiveness and critical thinking will help you to make thoughtful choices in the workplace.

While these skills and qualities contribute to your success as an educator, you don’t have to have them all from the get go. Developing these areas takes time and the right approach to training can support this process.

The benefits of well-developed soft skills

It’s not just those who are working towards an early childhood education career who benefit from these soft skills and human qualities. These skills are transferable across many sectors and roles, as well as in life. At Practical Outcomes we incorporate a focus on soft skills in our early childhood education training with the understanding that they will enhance our learners’ careers and lives.

Soft skills — sometimes known as people skills — continue to be increasingly valued for their role alongside practical knowledge and skillsets for the workplace, including in early childhood education. When it comes to shaping a future that is compassionate and caring, soft skills are vital.

Through developing these skills, educators can better connect with children and one another, contributing to strong bonds. They can better individualise their care style and create meaningful and engaging learning experiences to motivate children, while also discovering their own full potential as an educator.

Human-centred approach to a human-centred career

The Practical Outcomes approach to developing these essential skills and qualities for early childhood education comes down to our human-centred education approach. The overall success of our learners can be enhanced through human-centred education. It has been shown to empower learners, sparking curiosity and creativity through their educational pursuits. In turn, this heightens the capability to thrive as an early childhood educator.

Self-reflection is a key tool utilised throughout the training journey at Practical Outcomes. As a practical representation of this human-centred education approach in action, we introduced practical placement reflective journals for our learners. Here you can hone in on the critical skill of self-reflection. This enables learners to take control of their training and ask themselves questions to extend their learning, such as — what am I learning, what are my strengths, what are my weaknesses?

This journey of self-reflection evolves throughout the duration of the course, helping learners to track progress on a more personal level and see exactly how far they have come.

Support to build skills for success

A human-centred education approach would not be complete without the support of trainers who are there with learners every step of the way. We ensure that practical learning along with theory and soft skills are all developed alongside the guidance of experienced and compassionate trainers.

The Practical Outcomes approach to training is undertaken with the goal of helping each and every learner to develop the skills and qualities for successful early childhood educators who flourish while helping young children to flourish as well.

To learn more about how we approach early childhood education courses, please feel free to get in touch with our team.

In fact, it is generally agreed that there are many types of intelligence, covering a range of qualities and skills. One type that has gained increasing recognition for its importance over recent years is emotional intelligence.

For early childhood educators, emotional intelligence is a vital element that should be nurtured when supporting children’s development and wellbeing in the early years and beyond.

Understanding how to develop this skill in children, how to learn it as an educator and the benefits that can be derived from it can have a huge impact on the quality of education delivered across early learning settings.

Understanding emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to having the skills and ability understand, utilise and manage your own feelings. It also includes the capacity to understand and respond to the feelings of others. While an IQ (intelligence quotient) is widely known as an intelligence measure, emotional intelligence is often referred to as emotional quotient, or EQ.

There are several theories and extensive research available around emotional intelligence, but the first to introduce the concept of multiple intelligences theory was psychologist Howard Gardner in the 1980s. This theory, as the name suggests, proposes that there are multiple intelligences that we as humans are all able to develop. Intrapersonal intelligence (understanding the self) and interpersonal intelligence (understanding others) are two of Gardner’s intelligence types that make up the more general concept of emotional intelligence.

The benefits of building emotional intelligence

In life and in the workplace, emotional intelligence is highly valuable. It enables people to use feelings to guide their patterns of thought and their behaviours and can also be useful to identify, respond to and predict the feelings and actions of others, for effective communication and relationship-building.

The benefits are far-reaching covering areas including the ability to:

• Build strong relationships with others
• Enhance empathy
• Promote self-motivation
• Self-regulate emotions,
• Communicate more effectively

With these powerful benefits in mind, it becomes clear just how impactful emotional intelligence can be for children.

Supporting emotional intelligence in children

Early childhood educators can play a crucial role in developing healthy emotional intelligence in children. Try these approaches to help guide children:

Acknowledging and accepting feelings

Feelings aren’t always convenient and you may not always understand why a child is feeling a certain way at a certain time. Despite this, when a child is experiencing emotions they should be validated. Connect with a child during these times and listen to what they are going through so that they too can gain insight into the experience.

Labelling emotions

Extending on the previous point, use the space created for feelings to encourage or support children to identify the emotion. Are they feeling sad or angry or embarrassed? Labelling emotions expands children’s emotional vocabulary. Further, identifying emotions is also useful for learning to read other people and what they might be feeling. Simple activities like showing children images of faces and helping them to identify the feelings the person might be having can be useful to build this skill.

Strategies for managing feelings

Once a child can sit in their feelings and identify them, it’s easier for them to know what tools are available to handle the emotional experience. While all emotions are completely valid, not all behaviours and actions are acceptable so children (and adults) need to have strategies in mind to express their feelings in a safe and appropriate way. A simple one to utilise is deep breathing and mindfulness techniques.

Stories, songs, role play and role-modelling are all valuable educational endeavours to explore emotional intelligence. Through creating learning opportunities that lend themselves to the development of emotional intelligence in children, we can help to shape a more caring, kind and thoughtful future.

Emotional intelligence for educators

Emotional intelligence isn’t only important for children. The opportunity to develop your emotional skillset is lifelong. For educators, focusing on your own emotional intelligence can help you to become the best educator possible.

Supporting the emotional intelligence of our learners is important to us at Practical Outcomes. Role-modelling appropriate and positive behaviours is a significant part of supporting children’s development and wellbeing, and so we focus on helping them to work on their soft skills.

We strive to create opportunities for every learner to further develop their emotional intelligence throughout their study journey with our human-centred education approach. All learners are encouraged to engage with their learning in a meaningful way through self-reflection techniques facilitated in our Practical Placement Journals. This element of the coursework empowers learners to identify their own interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities and discover their full potential.

Early childhood educators have the opportunity to develop children’s emotional intelligence, providing them with a lifelong foundation to flourish. By increasing the focus on building this skill at every stage of life, we can work together to create a compassionate future for all.

To learn more about how we incorporate human-centred education into our training, contact us today!

–

As seen in Child Care Australia September 2021 magazine

With at least 1 in 5 young Australians under the age of 18 being victims of bullying each year, learning to spot the signs is vital. Spotting the signs of online bullying can be tricky, but there are some things you can do as a carer, teacher, educator or parent.

The secret world of online bullying

It is estimated that over half of online bullying victims do not tell an adult what they are being subjected to. And because the online world has many nooks and crannies, witnessing the online bullying take place is less likely than traditional playground bullying.

With online bullying taking place across a range of technology, including mobile phones, tablets and laptops, we need to do our best to ensure that children’s use of these devices is supervised where possible. This also means restricting or monitoring children’s access to the following based on age appropriateness:

• Social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Text messages
• Email
• Online forums and groups
• Instant messaging apps

Signs of online bullying

While seeing the bullying take place is challenging, the signs of online bullying can be recognised if you know what to look for.

Some signs of online bullying include:

• Nervousness when a device gets a notification
• Aggression towards a device
• Abruptly closing or turning off a device
• Switching screens or closing apps when you approach
• Being secretive about use of technology or internet
• Disturbed eating or sleeping patterns
• Becoming withdrawn

Online bullying can be persistent and overwhelming, feeling inescapable to those on the receiving end. Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn’t end when children are safe at home but can continue relentlessly.

Keep an eye out for the signs and encouraging parents to have use of technology in the open when at home can help to keep tabs on whether a child is a victim of online bullying.

Don’t forget to download our eBook about online bullying.

Have a read of two other blogs in the series!

What is online bullying?

7 ways to protect children from online bullying