Author: Early Hood

Concerns Grow Over Staff Shortages in New South Wales’ Expanding Early Education Sector

Posted on by Early Hood

The expansion of preschool services in New South Wales has left many questioning how to staff the upcoming facilities. In Goulburn alone, there’s a promise of over 770 new spots across various early childhood education and care (ECEC) venues, but uncertainty looms regarding who will fill these roles.

Despite approvals for new childcare centres in recent years, including a 95-spot centre at Quiberon Way and a 104-place venue on Bonneville Boulevard, they remain unopened.

The staffing shortage is so acute that it’s even hindering the local population growth, as families needing reliable childcare hold off on moving to the region.

The ripple effects are tangible; parents, especially those in crucial sectors like health and education, are struggling to find nearby care options.

“We need to see the government take action and support ECEC professionals more,” a concerned parent told regional reporters.

Families are stuck in limbo, with waiting times stretching up to four years, forcing some to reconsider their employment options.

“Commuting to Canberra without local ECEC is a challenge,” said a Goulburn mother.

“Without nearby family, it’s even tougher; we’ve no backup.”

It’s clear that as the early education sector grows, a comprehensive staffing solution must be found. Not only for the wellbeing of the children and their families but for the continued prosperity of the region as a whole.

Source: The Sector, About Regional

Exploring Casual Early Childhood Educator Roles: A Guide with Earlyhood Recruitment.

Posted on by Early Hood

Considering a role in early childhood education with Earlyhood Recruitment in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney? Wondering if a casual early childhood educator position aligns with your goals?

Here are three reasons why a casual role might be the perfect choice for aspiring Early Childhood Educators in Australia.

Flexibility to Suit Your Lifestyle

Explore the dynamic world of being a casual early childhood educator, where you can tailor your work schedule to fit perfectly with your personal life. This opportunity allows you to manage your professional and private commitments with unparalleled ease, making every day as fulfilling as the next.

Embrace Variety in Early Childhood Education Settings

Step into diverse learning environments by taking on a casual educator role. Explore the unique dynamics of different educational settings, enriching your professional journey as an Early Childhood Educator.

Career Exploration in Early Childhood Education in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane with Earlyhood Recruitment

For those considering a career shift or exploring the field, a casual educator role offers an opportunity to gain invaluable insights. Discover the nuances of early childhood education in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane without committing to a long-term position. This flexible approach allows you to make informed decisions about your career path.

How to write a CV for Childcare Jobs in Australia

Posted on by Early Hood

For Early Childhood Educators seeking childcare jobs in Australia, a well-structured CV is the key to success. Here’s a guide on how to write a CV tailored for childcare positions in Australia.

Introduction: Start your CV with your full name and contact information, followed by a brief professional summary. It must include your qualifications and passion for Early Childhood Education, highlighting your commitment to shaping young minds in Australia.

Education: Begin with your academic background. List your qualifications, and relevant coursework, that align with Australian childcare standards and regulations. Include the institution names and graduation dates.

Work Experience: Highlight your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position. Describe your roles and responsibilities in detail, using action verbs to convey your accomplishments and outcomes. Quantifiable results are highly appreciated, so illustrate how your efforts have positively impacted children and their families.

Skills: Showcase your key attributes, such as patience, creativity, effective communication, and adaptability. Include specific teaching methodologies you’re proficient in and any relevant software skills.

Professional Development: Demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. Mention workshops, and courses you’ve attended to stay up-to-date with Australian Early Childhood Education best practices and regulations.

Volunteer and Extracurricular Activities: Exhibit your dedication to your community and the children of Australia through relevant volunteer work and extracurricular activities.

Tailor for Each Application: Customise your CV for each childcare job application. Highlight qualifications and experiences that align with the specific requirements of the role and the childcare centre.

Professional References: Seek permission from past supervisors or colleagues to be included as references.

Formatting and Proofreading: Present a well-organised and error-free CV with a clean, readable format. Pay close attention to detail and thoroughly proofread your document to ensure it reflects professionalism and competence.

Conciseness: Aim to keep your CV under two pages.

Creating a compelling CV using these tailored guidelines will significantly enhance your chances of securing a fulfilling childcare job in Australia as an Early Childhood Educator.

Exciting benefits of process-art based learning

Posted on by Early Hood

Exciting benefits of process-art based learning and how you can empower and engage children with this innovative approach as an Early Childhood Educator

As an Early Childhood Educator, embracing process-art based learning can offer incredible benefits for children’s development. Process art is an innovative form of art that prioritises the creative process over the finished product. When children engage in process art, they are encouraged to explore their creativity by experimenting with different colours, shapes, and textures.

Allowing children to choose their own creative pursuits and providing a variety of materials can help to develop their cognition, imagination, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. It also boosts their self-confidence as they learn to express themselves through art. Encouraging children to reflect on their artwork by asking open-ended questions can also help to develop their critical thinking and communication skills.

Some questions that you can ask as an Early Childhood Educator:

  • What prompted you to select this object for your drawing?
  • How did you determine the colours and materials in your painting?
  • What do you suggest we do with this beautiful artwork that you have created?
  • How did you feel while creating this?

Moreover, process art can be a cost-effective approach to learning, as materials can be sourced from common household items such as discarded cardboard boxes, egg cartons, and fabric scraps. This can also foster environmental awareness and sustainability among children, as they learn to repurpose materials for creative purposes.

In conclusion, adopting process-art based learning can be a rewarding experience for both Early Childhood Educators and Children. By offering a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their creativity, educators can empower them to reach their full potential.

References:

  • Process Art Experiences, NAEYC
  • Aussie Childcare Network

Importance of displaying children’s artwork on the wall

Posted on by Early Hood

As an Early Childhood Educator, you play an important role in fostering creativity and imagination in young children. One way to do this is by displaying their artwork in the centre.

Displaying children’s artwork has numerous benefits. Studies have shown that early exposure to creative experiences encourages communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking in children.

By displaying a child’s artwork, you are not only giving them a sense of pride and boosting their self-esteem, but you are also showing your support for their creative endeavours.

Moreover, displaying children’s artwork creates a sense of identity and belonging. It helps them feel valued and appreciated.

Another significant benefit of displaying children’s artwork is that it creates memories. By starting an art collection early on, you will have a gallery of memories to look back on. These memories can be cherished for years to come, and the children can be proud of their contribution to the art world.

Reference: The Benefits of Displaying Your Child’s Art, Capital E

Importance of Behaviour Guidance Strategies

Posted on by Early Hood

Importance of Effective Behaviour Guidance Strategies for the Safety and Well-being of Young Children in Your Care

Childcare service providers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of young children under their supervision. Implementing effective gesture guidance techniques, such as redirection, can significantly enhance outcomes.

Redirection is a technique that has been widely adopted by early childhood educators in Sydney, who are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of young children under their care. Due to the increasing demand for highly skilled and knowledgeable childcare professionals in this region, many childcare service providers have turned to childcare recruitment agencies in Sydney to help them find the best candidates for their staffing needs.

Earlyhood Recruitment provides exceptional service and extensive pool of sought-after candidates. As a specialist provider of early childhood educators in Sydney, we understand the unique requirements of this sector and have helped many childcare service providers in greater Sydney region, to create a safe and nurturing environment for the children under their care.

Effective gesture redirection is a core component of the approach adopted by childcare educators in Sydney. By utilising their expertise and experience, they can successfully steer children towards more desirable outcomes, maximising learning opportunities for all children in the classroom. Redirection techniques are versatile and can be tailored to children of all age groups.

For younger children, verbal prompts or physical interaction can be effective, whereas visual cues or focusing their attention on a specific object or activity may be more suitable for older children. The use of redirection can also help to prevent challenging behaviours, enhancing outcomes for all children in the classroom.

In conclusion, the demand for highly skilled and knowledgeable early childhood educators in Sydney has led to an increase in the demand of childcare recruitment agency in Sydney.

References:
Positive Redirection, Joyful Noise Kids
Redirecting Webinar, National Centre Of Quality Teaching

We recruit highly sought after candidates to provide best care and development for children

Posted on by Early Hood

At Earlyhood we recruit highly sought after candidates to provide best care and development for children during more crucial years of their life. Why is it important?

Early childhood education is a critical time in a child’s life, as it lays the foundation for their future development and success. The first five years of child’s life are particularly important, as this is the time when their brain is rapidly developing and shaping their cognitive, social, emotional and physical abilities. Here are three tips for parents and educators to help maximise the importance of the first 2000 days of life for young children:

1. Create a nurturing and stimulating environment

During the first 5 years of a child’s life, their brain is establishing neural pathways that will influence their future learning and development. Providing a nurturing environment, including positive relationships with caregivers, adequate nutrition, and a safe and stimulating physical environment, can promote healthy brain development. For example, spending time reading, talking, and playing with young children can enhance their language and vocabulary skills, which are critical for their future academic success.

2. Encourage social interaction and play

Social skills and emotional regulation also develop during the first 5 years of life. Encouraging young children to engage in social interactions and play with peers can help them develop important skills such as communication, emotional regulation, and empathy. Play-based learning is particularly effective for young children, as it allows them to explore and learn through hands-on activities while also promoting social interaction and problem-solving skills.

3. Invest in high-quality early childhood education programs

High-quality early childhood education programs can provide young children with a strong foundation for their future learning and success. Research has shown that children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs have better academic outcomes, higher earnings, and are less likely to experience poverty or negative life outcomes. Quality early childhood education programs feature trained educators, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and access to resources such as books, toys, and learning materials that can support healthy brain development.

In conclusion, the first 5 years of life are critical for young children’s development and future success. By creating a nurturing and stimulating environment, encouraging social interaction and play, and investing in high-quality early childhood education programs, parents and educators can help maximise the importance of this critical period in a child’s life.

Changes To The Educational Services Teachers Award For ECT’s In Early Childhood Services

Posted on by Early Hood

The Fair Work Commission has made some changes to the classifications, pay and allowances in the Teachers Award. The changes start from the first full pay period on or after 1 January 2022.

Classification Changes

From 1 January 2022, the Teachers Award will have a new classification structure which:

  • is based on the professional career standards established by the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
  • is tied to teacher registration (where applicable)
  • has 5 classification levels instead of the current 12 levels.

The arrangements to transfer existing employees to the new classification structure will be outlined in Schedule H of the Teachers Award.

Definitions will be added to clause 2 for:

  • Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
  • full registration
  • proficient accreditation.

The classifications clause will include information on:

  • satisfactory teaching service
  • equivalency to proficient accreditation
  • equivalency to Highly Accomplished/Lead Teacher accreditation
    returning to teaching
  • support for new teachers.

If employees and employers disagree on classification issues, they can access dispute resolution from an expert in the accreditation system.

New Pay Rates

From 1 January 2022, minimum pay rates in the Teachers Award will increase.

The award’s new minimum pay rates table will include:

  • weekly pay rates as well as annual salaries
  • pay rates for long day care centres.

Casual employees, who are engaged for less than 5 days, aren’t entitled to be paid any higher than the pay rates for a Level 3 employee in the new structure.

There are no provisions to phase in the pay increases, which means the new rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 January 2022.

Changes To Allowances

The following pay-related allowances will increase from 1 January 2022:

  • director’s allowance for childcare centre directors
  • leadership allowance for teachers in schools.

A new educational leader’s allowance will be introduced for teachers in the children’s services and early childhood education industry.

****Please note we will update our ECT wage table, once Fair Work Commission has updated their pay tools and the Educational Services Teachers Award***.

Reference:
Changes To The Teachers Award – New Classifications, Minimum Pay and Allowances, Fair Work Commission

Early Childcare Australia Covid-19 Response

Posted on by Early Hood

Last updated 24/01/22

The early childhood education and care sector (ECEC), along with the rest of the community, is experiencing the impacts of the COVID-19 virus and the significant challenges it poses to the families, early childhood educators and providers of early childhood education and care services.

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines?

ECA is pleased to present a special webinar all about the COVID vaccines. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s Associate Professor Margie Danchin and Dr Jessica Kaufman shared their expertise at this special webinar for the early childhood sector held on 28 October 2021 and answered questions about the vaccines. The webinar covered the latest data on safety and effectiveness and provided vaccine recommendations. Strategies to promote the vaccines were also provided to help viewers feel confident to talk about the vaccines with those who may be hesitant to be vaccinated. Watch here.

Read more

Earlyhood Education & Care Recruitment

Posted on by Early Hood

About us

Earlyhood Education & Care is dedicated to sourcing the most passionate and sought after Early Childhood Educators & Teachers across Sydney. We provide specialist recruitment services to the Early Childhood Sector which includes Long Daycare, Preschool, OOSH care and community schools.

Genuine passion and enthusiasm for what we do, combined with a deep understanding of our sector and our ability to respond and adapt swiftly to clients’ needs is what makes us unique.

Our success is our people. We pride ourselves on our commitment to our most important assets – our Educators & Teachers – through recognition and above award rates. We take care of them so that they can take care of you.

Our approach to recruitment puts candidates first, regardless of whether you’re highly experienced or looking for your very first position. We listen, we advise, and we work harder than anyone to find you your dream position.

We partner with organisations of all shapes and sizes, in a wide variety of public and private sectors. This makes us an ideal partner for you too – whatever your aspirations, we’re likely to know a company that fits.

Find your next career move with us.