Child Care Educator

What is a Child Care Educator?

Educators being either Child Care Workers or Early Childhood Teachers, care for the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of infants and young children in various care settings.

Roles of a Child Care Educator

Child care workers may perform the following tasks:

• Plan and implement educational  curriculums based on developmental needs and interests of the child/ren via observation of  children
• Observe, record and report on children’s growth, behaviour, development and discuss with parents and authorised persons
• Integrate children with additional  needs into the program, modify the program and the physical environment if necessary
• Supervise and guide staff and students undertaking childcare training programs
• Prepare play and learning materials and set up the children’s environment
• Interact and supervise children’s play, ensuring a safe environment at all times
• Help children with daily routines such as toileting, dressing, eating and sleeping
• Guide children’s behaviour and social development
• Prepare light snacks and meals where required
• Maintain a safe, clean, appealing environment
• Perform simple first aid in emergencies
• Spend long periods on your feet and frequently lift and carry children and move equipment/furniture

Qualifications (depending on role)

• Diploma of Children’s Services
• Cert III Children’s Services
• Bachelor Education Early Childhood

Career Opportunities

An Educator with years of experience & qualifications may become a Child Care Coordinator, Children’s Service Manager, Out-of-School Services Worker or an Assessment Compliance Officer with the Early Childhood and Care Directorate, Human Services.

Personal Requirements of an Educator

• Alert, observant, active and able to use judgment and initiative
• Willing to accept responsibility
• Able to work as a part of a team
• Able to relate well to children and their parents
• Patient
• Able to lift children and equipment
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Related Jobs:

• Child Care Supervisor
• Family Day Carer
• House Parent
• Nanny
• Special Care Worker
• Teacher - Early Childhood

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