Information on becoming an Educator.
Contact the Coordination Unit Office to receive a comprehensive information package and application form.
Essential Criteria
- You must be over 18 years of age
- You must be an Australian Citizen or hold residency
- You must have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) as a minimum qualification. For approved qualifications visit acecqa.gov.au “Equivalent Early Childhood Qualifications”
- You must hold a valid, approved Senior First Aid Certificate and approved training for Emergency Asthma and Anaphylaxis Management acecqa.gov.au “First Aid, anaphylaxis management, emergency asthma managements training”
- You must have had experience working in an early childhood setting or service
- You must live in a house, townhouse or villa. If you live in a Unit it must be on the ground floor and with suitable outdoor playspace available closeby.
- You must complete and have a satisfactory Working with Children Check for both yourself and all persons 18yrs and over living in your home
- Medical clearance from a medical practitioner
To be able to provide consistent quality care to the children and families in your care you will need to:
- Comply with all laws, legislation and regulations governing children’s services including the
- Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
- Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011
- The National Quality Standards (NQS)
- Learning Frameworks – The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) & My Time, Our Place (MTOP)
- Child (Care & Protection) Act 1998
- WH&S Act
Comply with CCA Family Day Care service policies and procedures- Provide an environment that operates in a safe and respectful manner
- Maintain your home, outdoor areas, equipment and furniture in a clean, safe and hygienic condition
- Provide an environment that will stimulate children’s learning and development, offering age appropriate and interesting activities both indoors and outdoors
- Provide for children’s daily needs including sleep, rest, toileting and meal times
- Follow correct hygiene practices
- Work in a positive manner with children and adults
- Use children’s interests, knowledge and skills as a basis for programming activities
- Observe and document children’s ongoing learning and participation in the programme
- Undertake regular professional development
- Communicate with families and the coordination unit in a respectful manner
- Have a computer, printer and email address
- Have a mobile phone. A landline is also recommended
- Have an annual RMS (Roads and Marine Services) check on your vehicle and all child seats if using your car to transport Family Day Care children
Educator essential qualities will include:
- Fluent written and spoken English
- A genuine love of children
- A sound understanding of children’s development including social and emotional, physical, cognitive and language development
- Warmth, honesty, patience, tolerance, flexibility and common sense
- Knowledge of appropriate behaviour guidance strategies
- A professional attitude towards operating a quality children’s service
- Ability to work alone
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents and staff
Educator Responsibilities
- Undertake regular observations of children in care assessing their development and needs against the EYLF outcomes
- Complete, evaluate and reflect on a daily /weekly programme of activities which is based on the children’s identified interests, abilities and needs
- Keep accurate and up to date records of all children in care including attendance (time sheets), illness, injury, medication, emergency evacuation drills, excursion risk assessments and permissions, developmental progress and evidence of participation in the programme
- Undertake daily safety checks of the indoor and outdoor environments
- Complete timely annual risk assessments for excursions and annual re-registration
- Undertake regular training by attending at least 3 scheduled training sessions per year as well as keep all qualifications as required by the National Regulation current ie First Aid. This includes Child Protection.
- Develop own service quality improvement plan and personal professional development goals
- Ensure children are served food which has been stored and prepared safely and hygienically
The Coordination Unit will assess the prospective Educator in regards to:
- Knowledge, experience, and training in childcare;
- Holding a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a minimum qualification
- Attitude and commitment to the aims of the scheme, quality standards and compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- Awareness of safety, health and hygiene requirements for children’s services
- Age, maturity, health, physical and emotional ability to care for young children
- Ability to communicate with adults and children
- Awareness of and sensitivity towards the needs of young children and their families including a range of cultures, religions and disabilities.
- Willingness to work cooperatively with parents and Family Day Care staff to provide a high standard of care for the children.
- Demand for care in the area of the proposed Family Day Care service.
Family Day Care Educators are small business owners. You will be operating your own business, you will be self employed and you may wish to have your own ABN number, but this is not essential.
To successfully run your own small business you will need to consider:
- Keeping accurate tax records, possibly seeking the advice of an Accountant
- Manage your income to cover changes in income due to annual leave, sick leave, superannuation and time when you have fewer children in care
- Having the appropriate insurance in place and current at all times including public liability insurance
- Keeping all required first aid and emergency management qualifications current and up to date
Contact us for more information:
Phone: 02 9874 0066
Email: fdc@ccas.org.au
