Child Care Worker (SA)

Education and Training:

To become a child care worker you usually have to complete a VET qualification in children's services or out of school hours care. Applicants may be required to attend an interview. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You may be able to study through distance education.

You can also become a child care worker through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Children's Services or Outside School Hours Care. Entry requirements may vary but employers usually require Year 10. Ask your career adviser about the possibility of starting some of this training in school.

Additional Information:

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Community Services Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within the industry.

To work in child care in SA, you need to obtain a criminal history 'letter of clearance', issued by CrimTrac screening agencies. Contact CrimTrac (www.crimtrac.gov.au) for more information. An approved child care first aid certificate, a police clearance and a Working with Children Check are also required.

A new National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care is due to be implemented by 1 January 2014. Under this system, all child care workers in Australia will be required to hold (or be working towards) a certificate III-level early childhood education and care qualification.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Child care workers are employed in private, government and community-based child care centres, kindergartens and creches. They may also work in hospitals, women's shelters and neighbourhood houses. Rapid growth in the number of child care and family care centres in recent years has increased the demand for fully qualified child care workers. Experienced, fully qualified child care workers may progress to coordinate or manage a licensed child care centre. While this is a growing occupation, it is also very popular and competition for jobs may be strong.

Self-employment prospects exist by becoming a registered family day care provider in your own home. See the separate entry for Family Day Carer.