Maximising your earning potential in early childhood
With the field of early childhood opening up thanks to a number of new government initiatives, now is the time for child care workers to update their skills and maximise employment opportunities and earning capacity.
Macquarie University offers a number of postgraduate programs for early childhood teachers, as well as courses designed for those who have TAFE qualifications and wish to broaden their knowledge.
Growing industry
The child care field is growing at a rapid pace with around 383,000 children in long day centres across Australia. The sector as a whole is also expanding with the inclusion of government supported early intervention programs. Families First is one such program, which provides support during pregnancy and in the early years of a child's life, when development is rapid.
"Programs like Families First are well funded and are looking for people with early childhood knowledge particularly in child development and family relationships," says Institute of Early Childhood Lecturer, Sandra Cheeseman. "Quite good career opportunities are available for university trained teachers, particularly those with postgraduate qualifications."
TAFE versus university qualifications
The majority of qualified staff currently employed in long day care centres are TAFE trained having completed an 18 month to two year Diploma. The TAFE course qualifies participants to work in long day care settings and preschools, whereas Bachelor of Education graduates can work with children up to eight years of age.
"The TAFE course is designed to give fundamental knowledge of child development along with some aspects of curriculum content," explains Cheeseman. "The university course asks students to take on the fundamental knowledge that is learned at TAFE and then reflect and analyse that knowledge. Undertaking a degree gives you the capacity to take greater responsibility in decision making about children's lives, welfare and development and equips graduates to take on leadership roles in the early childhood field."
Pathways for TAFE qualified workers
According to Cheeseman there are some students who initially don't feel ready to take on the rigour of a university degree. These people develop their confidence and knowledge base at TAFE then follow the path to university.
TAFE qualified students looking to undertake university study are given advanced standing and can enter into the second year of the Bachelor of Education program. They are also able to enter the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) program which enhances their preschool setting qualifications.
Postgraduate programs
For university graduates who wish to broaden their horizons, Macquarie University will offer three early childhood postgraduate programs in 2007:
· The Master of Early Childhood
· The Master of Educational Leadership (Early Childhood)
· The Master of Teaching, a new program which invites graduates with degrees from other disciplines to undertake teaching qualifications at a postgraduate level.
Why undertake further study?
"I think we are all life-long learners," says Cheeseman. "To think that your undergraduate qualification is the end of your education is a mistake. The knowledge base of early childhood is shifting all the time and it is almost essential to continue your study. If you undertake study at postgraduate level you will get the recognition and it will enhance your career."
For further information visit the Institute of Early Childhood website www.aces.mq.edu.au/iec_home.asp