What Are The Advantages of A Certification in Childcare?

So, you’ve decided you want to make a career switch and become a childcare worker. You’re wondering, ‘do I really need a childcare certification to get a job in the childcare industry? I’m good with kids, isn’t that enough?’ We’d love to tell you that’s the case but the reality is, due to new childcare regulations in Australia, workers are required to have particular qualifications to be employed in many roles within the childcare industry. There are plenty of advantages to having a certification in the childcare field if that’s where your passion lies.

1. Easier to Find Employment

As we mentioned above, due to new regulations, you’re required to have particular qualifications to be employed within the childcare industry. Prospective employers want their employees to have knowledge, experience and certifications in their areas of expertise. Think of it this way, would you hire someone who is qualified and obviously committed to the childcare industry or someone without a certification in the industry, claiming to have the required skills and knowledge for the job? A certification gives you credibility with potential employers and will make your job hunt a whole lot easier.

2. More Opportunity for Career Advancement

There is much more opportunity for career advancement if you hold a certification in childcare. For instance, you could build onto your Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with a Diploma and then use that as an entry point into your university Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. You can also move from childcare into other related careers – for instance, earn a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to go along with your Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, then you will be able to teach those qualifications.

3. Duty of Care

Working in the childcare industry, you have a duty of care that you must uphold. You have to ensure each child under your supervision stays safe, secure and is in good hands. Taking reasonable care in the childcare industry means balancing the safety of yourself, colleagues, young children and others against providing opportunities to develop skills, responsibility and maturity. Courses like the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care cover basic first aid, but you can also build on this with more advanced first aid qualifications or courses specialising in caring for kids with special needs.

4. Stay Up to Date with the Latest Technology

It’s crazy how much technology like tablets and smart phones have revolutionised the way we work and play, just within the last few years. Learn how to use this technology, through a childcare course, to improve and enhance learning for the children in your care (and also protect them from the harmful effects that the technology may bring).

5. Keep Up with the New Regulations

In recent years, Australia introduced several childcare related regulations including the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework. Do you know what these are? What your responsibilities are? How these frameworks affect your childcare service? Studying a course in childcare will ensure you are up to date with the latest regulations regarding childcare services.

6. Get to Continue Learning

If you like learning new things and love improving and enhancing on your existing skills and knowledge, obtaining a qualification is the perfect step for you! Lifelong learning provides many advantages such as, helps you meet new people, make new friends and develop relationships, keeps your mind healthy and active, helps you adjust to change, increases your knowledge and wisdom, develops your natural abilities, opens your mind to new ideas and so much more!

Becoming certified in the childcare field will provide many benefits to your professional career and personal development. Upon completion of one of KAL Training’s childcare courses you will be equipped with all of the skills, knowledge and credentials you need to succeed in the workforce. To enquire about KAL Training’s childcare courses, please call 1800-244-438 or email info@kaltraining.com.au today and set up a consultation with one of KAL Training’s experts.

Sam is a key member of Melbourne based training organisation Kal Multimedia Training