Early Childhood Education and Care Staff in High Demand

In Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), the ratio of staff to children is becoming harder to maintain. Especially since burnout in this field as at an all time high.

As it stands, more ECEC qualified educators are in high demand to fill staff gaps as more qualified educators exit the field. Fortunately, since 2020, a 200% increase of graduates completing a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education has been reported. 

These graduates are comprised of mostly upskilled first-time mums who are returning to the workforce after starting a family. They pair their lived-in experience with their qualification, making them the most ideal candidates to fill in the vacant positions. However, while every ECEC student does gain a placement, which is essential for the completion of their qualification, a number of childcare centres are reluctant to take on these soon-to-be graduates.

Now more than ever, more Western Sydney locals are responding to the demand for confident early childhood educators, but Early Childhood Education Trainer Elizabeth Go, asks for more centres to be open to housing a work placement student.

“At the moment, we have around 500 students enrolled at Macquarie Community College,” she states. Those in the Early Childhood Education and Care program need to complete, as Elizabeth explains, either 160 hours minimum for Cert. III or 280 for a diploma.

“The main thing is that (the childcare centres) are very busy, both the educators working in the rooms and management. (The students) are seen as an additional task.”

“They worry the students will need constant guidance and supervision.”

MCC students undergo extensive training with a practical room designed to simulate the child centre environment. Here, students practice nappy changes and sleep schedules in a room fitted with cots and changing stations. Additionally, they learn theory units such as child protection, work place health and safety and legal units.

“Before they go out on experience, they have a lot of experience.” Elizabeth clarifies. “It’s a mandated part of their course. So, we work around them to ensure that everyone gets a placement.”

Elizabeth explains how this benefits the employers. “The students complete their placements as unpaid volunteers; they aren’t counted as ratio. It’s fantastic for recruitment. It’s like a try and buy. They can try them out for a few weeks before they employ them and see how they go, how they are with the children.”