Early Childhood Qualifications

Career opportunities in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector continue to increase, and the demand for trained educators is projected to grow rapidly in the future. Early Childhood Education and Care is a broad field of study and includes child development, teaching and learning theory, brain research, health, safety, nutrition and socio-cultural understanding. Educators are actively involved in educating and caring for children to ensure they gain the knowledge, skills, and attributes that allow children to make the most of their potential. As an educator of children, you will have a responsibility to respect the needs and rights of all children and care for them in a way which ensures their physical and emotional wellbeing. You may work with babies, toddlers and children up to 12 years of age.

To find out more about becoming an early childhood education and care professional, click here to read an information sheet from ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority.

Classes are small and face-to-face, with weekly support sessions built into your program. You’ll receive an extensive training plan from the outset, regular assessor visits during your work placement, additional study support, and access to online resources so you’re never navigating things alone.

Educators are required to have a wide range of practical skills. Educating and caring for children requires knowledge, skill, empathy, kindness and commitment. This is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding work and requires a high level of all-round fitness. You will be on your feet all day, need to be able to get up and down from the floor and be able to lift equipment and children. All employees and volunteers working with children need a clear Police Check and a Working with Children Check. The Early Childhood and School Age Education and Care sector is heavily regulated and educators need to be able to interpret and understand legislation and regulatory requirements.

Practical experience is woven throughout your whole program, both in the training room and on work placements. One of our most unique features is the observation booths at our Docklands and Carlton North services. The observation booths are designed to give you a genuine bird’s-eye view of theory being put into practice, in a real early learning environment.

To work with children, a minimum Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is required under the Education and Care Services National Regulations. In recognition of the importance of education in the early years for children, employees are now known as educators. Having a qualification in Early Childhood Education allows you to work with children in various environments including long daycare, kindergarten, family day care, in-home care, playgroup, occasional care and outside school hours care settings.

Our facilitators are reputable and respected professionals with deep knowledge of the early childhood sector and extensive hands-on industry experience. They bring real credibility to everything they teach.

Yes. Our program is designed to combine theoretical knowledge with genuine practical experience so that when you complete your qualification, you’re confident and prepared to step into the workforce.

Absolutely. Gowrie offers continuing Professional Development programs for educators already working in the sector, so your learning extends beyond graduation. We’re a long-term partner in your career.

The Victorian early childhood sector is growing rapidly, with career opportunities available right across the state. It’s a field in high demand, with genuine potential for long-term career growth. There’s never been a better time to join!