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Working in Child Care
Work opportunities for nannies and carers in New Zealand are good in most parts of the country, but naturally follow population trends with demand higher in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. A manager of a child care centre can earn an average of $67,500 in New Zealand, where child care workers can earn slightly less; usually between $40,000 and $58,000 depending on experience and whether part-time or full-time.
Although there is no legal requirement for nannies or childcarers to hold a qualification, there can be stiff competition for jobs especially in the cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It is highly recommended to undertake some level of childcare training and obtain a relevant tertiary qualification to stand out from the crowd.
Child Care Courses
There are a range of distance learning child care courses on offer, where to start depends upon your current education and experience level. To enter into any childcare education program you must first complete four years of secondary education, qualifications then rise through Certificates, Diplomas and eventually University Degrees.
Certificate Courses
A recommended starting point is the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 3) which is a mixture of theoretical and placement based learning to cover the basics of educational theory relevant to early childhood education.
Students can progress to the National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) which is a year-long course of study that considers the various environments child care workers may focus their careers within. Acquiring the knowledge and skills required for early childhood education and care across centre-based, hospital-based, home-based, or the child’s family environment.
How to Become a Child Care Worker
In addition to a qualification and experience, a driving license is often preferred as you’ll need to come and go from the family home independently and generally keep the family’s daily routines going. This is an active job, you may be required to pick up babies or small children or take part in active play so a good level of fitness is also required.
Consider what other qualities and talents you have as these can all help to make you stand out from the other applicants. Being able to cook so you can give the children their evening meal, or knowing how to play an instrument so you can teach the children are all worthwhile qualities to add to your CV or application.
Aside from an obvious love for children, character traits often held in a child carer are:
- Patient and an excellent communicator
- Organised and responsible
- Creative and a good problem solver
- Firm, fair and consistent
Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher
If you’d like to work with children in a more formalised environment and with larger groups than a Nanny; you can improve both your earning potential and job prospects as an Early Childhood Teacher.
Early Childhood Teachers care for young children in childcare facilities such as kindergartens and care centres earning anywhere from $34,000-$69,000 per year.
Job prospects for Early Childhood Teachers in New Zealand are average nationwide and increasing in line with the number of mothers of young children returning to full-time employment. Demand is higher for those with Māori or Pasifika language skills.
To become a qualified early childhood teacher in New Zealand you need one of the following;
- Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) – 1 year
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)- 3 years
- Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) – 4 years
It’s possible to begin working after completing a Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching but earnings and job opportunities increase with the completion of a three or four year Bachelor of Teaching Degree.
Working in Child Care and Teaching
The job is entirely child focused on educating and caring for children either one on one or in groups. There is a lot of room to use your imagination as an Early Childhood Teacher. You’ll need to think creatively as you plan daily/ weekly programs to get the children learning and experiencing, you’ll be creating learning resources and building routines for them to follow.
If you want to change the lives of children and help them develop; a career as a child care worker or early childhood teacher is for you!
Browse courses in New Zealand today.
