If you love working with kids, a career as a childcare assistant could be extremely rewarding. Childcare assistants provide care and supervision for children in a range of settings, including childcare centres, schools, crèches and hospitals.
As a childcare assistant, you’ll work directly under the supervision of an early childhood educator. This role is very hands-on, requiring you to work closely with children in order to assist in their physical and emotional development.
Many childcare assistant positions offer flexible rosters, allowing you to achieve optimal work/life balance. It’s also an ideal profession from which to advance your career in early education, as there are many opportunities for childcare assistants to undertake further training.
To become a qualified childcare assistant in Australia, you’ll need to complete a formal qualification, such as a CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. This article will help you learn more about getting qualified and how to find the right course for your career goals.
Top Traits of a Childcare Assistant
Advanced Communication Skills
Childcare assistants must be able to communicate effectively with parents and other childcare professionals about the development and needs of the children in their care. You’ll also need to demonstrate strong listening skills in order to follow instructions from supervisors and parents.
Decision-Making Abilities
As a childcare assistant, you’ll be confronted with tough decisions every day. From choosing educational activities for children to deciding the right response to emergencies, childcare assistants are required to display good judgement in countless scenarios.
Emotional and Physical Stamina
Caring for children is physically and emotionally demanding, so childcare assistants should have lots of energy. You’ll need to spend large parts of the day on your feet while still having the mental stamina to develop and coordinate activities for children.
Administrative Expertise
Staying on top of paperwork is a big part of a childcare assistant’s role. For compliancy reasons, all childcare providers are required by law to keep records of the children in their care. This creates administrative duties for childcare assistants in addition to their caring and educating responsibilities.
Childcare Courses
Completing a CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will help you gain employment as a childcare assistant. This nationally recognised course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to support the implementation of an approved learning framework while supporting children’s wellbeing, learning and development.
Delivered through a combination of online theory and practical work placement in a regulated childcare or education centre, the practical components of the course will expose you to a real childcare environment. This means you’ll graduate with the confidence that comes with hands-on experience.
If you’d like to build a fulfilling career out of caring for children, browse all our childcare courses today. For enrolment advice, contact the Foundation Education team on 1300 616 197. You can also learn more about the kinds of roles available in childcare by reading this article.
