Plans, organises and conducts activities to help pre-primary school students to develop a wide variety of skills including speech, reading, writing, motor skills and social interaction.Registration or licensing is required.
Previously referred to in ASCO as:
2411-11 Teacher - Pre-Primary School Teacher
Early childhood teachers plan and conduct education programmes for young
children.
Early childhood teachers work in government-owned pre-school centres, early
education classes, community kindergartens and community childcare centres.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Teacher - Early Childhood earn an average of $1126 per
week. The [average annual salary for this job is $58552 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
able to relate to children and their families
a keen desire to teach children
willing to learn
good problem-solving skills
sound literacy and numeracy skills
high-level planning and organisational skills
enthusiastic, tactful, patient and a sense of humour
prepared to work outside of school hours.
This job also involves:
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Professional Jobs
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree,
or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study,
such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Art
School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to
these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry
to courses that provide the training for the job.
English
School subjects that include some aspect of English provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases an English-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Home Economics
School subjects that include some aspect of HOME ECONOMICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a home economics-related subject is a
pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Performing Arts
School subjects that include some aspect of the PERFORMING ARTS provide a
useful background to these jobs. In some cases a performing arts subject is a
pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Teacher - Early Childhood
Early childhood teachers may perform the following tasks:
plan activities using a variety of materials and equipment to develop good coordination, social skills, creativity, self-expression and an interest in learning
promote language development and self-confidence through storytelling, drama, music and discussions
help to organise and participate in excursions to enhance learning experiences
encourage children to question and explore the world in which they live
observe children to evaluate and record their progress and to detect signs of developmental disorders, ill health or emotional disturbance
recommend appropriate programmes for further development
work with guidance officers, speech pathologists and psychologists to assist children with special needs
help integrate children with special needs into mainstream classes
promote health and safety concepts and social interaction with other children
promote awareness and appreciation of diversity in multicultural societies
attend to sick children and those in need of first aid
comfort children who are hurt or distressed
assist children with their toileting and personal hygiene
discuss aspects of children’s development with parents and other educators
discuss the aims of the education programme with parents
participate in community activities and parent/staff committees
supervise and work with student teachers and trainee childcare workers.