10 Qualities of a Good Childcare Educator

Working with young kids takes a special kind of person. Beyond just knowing about child development, great Early Childhood Educators bring qualities to the table that help children feel safe, valued and excited to learn.

An Early Childhood Education qualification will give you essential knowledge and skills, but certain traits will also help you do well in this field. If becoming an Early Childhood Educator sounds like a great career move for you, first, you should know what it takes to thrive in this rewarding environment.

What makes a great educator?

Great Early Childhood Educators bring a special mix of personal qualities and skills in childcare to their work. While everyone has their own style of teaching and connecting with children, there are some educator strengths that help them make a real difference in children's lives. These skills in childcare go beyond just formal training and create the foundation for meaningful relationships with children and families.

Let's look at some of the characteristics that the best Early Childhood Educators share.

10 Early Childhood Educator qualities 

Here are some Early Childhood Educator strengths to take note of:

1. Empathy 

Empathy is vital for understanding the experiences of young children and their families as kids begin to learn more about the world and their feelings. When you can put yourself in a child's shoes, you'll be better equipped to respond to their needs and help them process big emotions in a supportive way.

1. Patience 

Working with young children will present you with challenges at times, and you’ll need plenty of patience when handling different needs, behaviours and temperaments. Your ability to stay calm during tantrums, repeated questions or slower-paced learning helps create a safe environment for kids.

1. Flexibility 

You’ll be working in a dynamic, ever-changing environment where no two days are the same, so you’ll need to be equally adaptable to handle whatever the day throws your way. Being able to change course when something isn't working or adjust your approach for different learning styles is what makes a good educator.

1. Creativity 

There’s loads of time for exploration, so an innate sense of creativity and play is essential to creating fun and educational experiences for kids.  Your ability to turn the curriculum into a fun and engaging day will make kids excited about learning.

1. Communication skills 

You’ll need good communication skills to be able to speak to young kids and get through to them. You’ll also need to maintain professional but friendly communication with their families and your colleagues.  

1. Teamwork 

Early Childhood Education is a collaborative effort where a whole group of people come together to provide comprehensive care and education, so it’s important that you can be a team player. This means both good communication and a good attitude.

1. A positive attitude 

A cheerful spirit helps to create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel inspired to learn and grow. Your enthusiasm is also contagious and helps kids develop their own positive attitude toward education.

1. Reliability 

As an Early Childhood Educator, the children, your co-workers and their families are depending on you to provide consistent care and support, so you’ll need to be someone who takes the responsibility seriously.  

1. Keen observation skills 

Ever heard a parent say ‘I turned my back for one minute…’? Young kids can get themselves in some weird, wonderful or sticky situations, so you’ll need to have a careful eye on them at all times. This will also help you track development and pick out when a child might need extra support.

1. Leadership

You probably won’t start in a leadership role, but your career can go that way if you have the right mindset. As you gain experience, you can move into roles where you'll mentor other educators, develop curriculum plans and manage operations. And even if you're not looking to get into formal leadership, you'll be a role model for the children in your care.

Want to build skills in childcare?

Take the first step and get qualified! By enrolling into our CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, you’ll be able to start working in a support role within the Early Childhood industry. You’ll learn all the hard and soft skills you need to make a difference in this career path.

Want to learn more about this path? Check out our Early Childhood Education and Care courses or call 1300 616 197 to speak with our Career Advisors.