If you want to help kids get the best start to life, then now is the time to get involved, with a plethora of opportunities to work in the industry.
The Victorian Government has implemented kindergarten reform that will create more than 6000 new early childhood education jobs across Victoria, including over 4000 teachers and 2000 educators.
Plenty of scholarships are available for people looking to pursue a rewarding career in early childhood education.
Tallygaroopna Children’s Centre service leader and kindergarten teacher Kelli Vagg said working in early childhood was very rewarding and there were plenty of incentives to be part of the industry.
“I’ve always had a passion for early childhood,” she said.
“To help children during early childhood when they are growing and learning through experiences.
“Though their interactions it helps shape their knowledge of themselves and the world around them.”
Ms Vagg completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood at Cobram Community Centre.
“I started a Certificate III a few years ago and the love for industry just grew from then,” she said.
“I was required to do work placement as part of the course and got an interview and was successful at getting a job when I finished.”
Ms Vagg said the course helped you develop not just your teaching skills but as a person in general.
“The course was really rewarding because when you start a Certificate III while you progress it’s all about self-development,” she said.
“It’s about developing yourself, knowing what your strengths and weaknesses are to then educate the children.”
While Ms Vagg was completing her course, she was helped by the government’s scholarship program.
“I studied and worked, which was a challenge,” she said.
“I also applied for a $9000 scholarship through the Victorian Government.
“I was able to support myself when I had to do placement and was unable to work during those placements.”
Ms Vagg said the scholarship helped pay for essentials for her course and was required to work two years in Victoria.
“It helped me purchase books and pay for fees, which helped immensely,” she said.
“Once I was qualified, I had to work for two years in Victoria to fulfil my scholarship.”
She spoke about the benefits of work placement and how it helped her retain information she learnt.
“It was really good, as I was able to put what I was learning, directly into my practices,” Ms Vagg said.
“I was able to implement it directly and retain the information a lot better.”
Ms Vagg said she wasn’t able to gain further incentives for working away from home, but says those thinking of moving regional should strongly consider it.
“I grew up in Cobram so I didn’t get those incentives, but I can see how it’d be attractive if you are from Melbourne to move regionally to work in the early childhood industry” she said.