Whether you love working with kids or you want to make a difference in the lives of others, early childhood education is a great career choice. Not only is it a rapidly growing industry, but a degree in early childhood education will provide you with a skill set that can open up a variety of other work opportunities.
In this article, we’ve narrowed down the top five reasons why you should study early childhood education in Australia.
What is early childhood education?
Early childhood educators are responsible for helping children aged 0–5 with healthy development and preparation for school. They follow a learning framework that covers social, physical, emotional, personal, creative, and cognitive learning.
For those hoping to establish a career in early childhood education, there are a variety of roles you can consider. There is currently substantial demand for early childhood teachers, early childhood educators, and educational leaders. These professionals play a critical role in ensuring children have the best start to life.
#1. Make an impact
A key reason to study early childhood education is that you’ll make a valuable impact during some of the most critical years of a child’s life. According to the First 2000 Days Framework, the education children receive between the ages of 0–5 can impact their physical, cognitive, social and emotional health for years to come. This can include the development of physical health conditions, as well as social factors such as confidence and the ability to maintain fulfilling interpersonal relationships.
Since a child’s brain development is heavily impacted by their environment and the interactions they have with others, early childhood educators are highly influential.
#2. Enhance your knowledge of important developmental milestones
Understanding the key developmental milestones for young children is essential if you want to work in this industry. The importance of studying early childhood education at an accredited institution such as Federation University Online is that you’ll gain expert knowledge of the developmental milestones as set out by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
These milestones include things like following routines, communicating verbally and participating in group activities. Understanding these milestones is important when assessing whether a child is developing as expected, or if you’ll need to employ techniques to support them further.
#3. Grow and advance your career
Another key benefit of studying early childhood education is the rapidly growing demand for qualified workers. The Victorian government has committed to supporting the early childhood sector, to recruit high-quality teachers and educators. This initiative will set graduates up to enter a thriving and secure industry.
There are many career pathways that graduates can work towards within the field of early childhood education, including becoming a:
- nanny
- early childhood educator
- early childhood teacher
- kindergarten teacher
- early childhood education leader
With a stable career outlook and a variety of career pathways available, now is the perfect time to begin your journey in early childhood education.
#4. Have a career that suits your lifestyle
Careers in early childhood education can typically offer a flexible lifestyle; including full-time and part-time hours. If you prefer to have free time during the day, you could even request to work early mornings or late afternoons (that coincide with parents’ work hours).
Another reason why you should study early childhood education in Australia is it’s a career that facilitates meaningful daily interactions with other people. This kind of lifestyle will appeal to those who enjoy collaborating with others, as you’ll have the chance to build fulfilling relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
#5. Create a hands-on, fun environment
Why study early childhood education? A compelling reason for many is it can be lots of fun! As an early childhood educator, you’ll get to be creative when planning engaging activities and designing playful learning environments.
You’ll also use the techniques learnt in your degree to encourage children to be creative and curious. Plus, being surrounded by the positive energy of kids every day can make working feel even more enjoyable.
Feeling inspired?
To learn more, head over to our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) page for more information, or get in touch with one of our friendly Course Consultants. You can also download a brochure to learn more about the course contents, career pathways, how online study works, and course fees.
To get started on your journey to studying early childhood education, apply online today.
