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I'm a school student

Make a difference in the lives of young children and build a meaningful career

If you’re still at school, or are about to finish and are thinking about your next steps, why not consider a career in early childhood?

Early childhood educators and teachers have loads of energy, are creative, patient, and passionate about helping young children to learn and thrive.

With more job opportunities than ever before, and financial support to help while you study, now is the time to explore a fulfilling and flexible career in early childhood.

There are a range of ways you can launch your career in early childhood education.

Still in school?

Get an early start on your early childhood career while you’re still at school. If you’re in years 10 to 13, these options might interest you:

  • Take a vocational education and training (VET) pathway and get on the job, or off the job training while you’re at school completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). Visit Industries | Student Pathways (studentpathways.sa.edu.au) to find out more.
  • Gain practical experience on the job while studying a school-based traineeship. As a school-based trainee, you can study the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and receive SACE credits to count towards achieving your SACE while earning a wage.  Visit Industries | Student Pathways (studentpathways.sa.edu.au) to find out more.
  • Attend a Technical College and get a hands-on start in the ECEC sector while still graduating with your SACE. Visit Technical Colleges (technicalcolleges.sa.gov.au) to find out more.
  • For resources to help explore career pathways and career decision-making visit myfuture.edu.au

Already graduated, or finishing this year?

If you have finished school or are about to graduate, there are a range of ways to pursue a career in early childhood.

Start with hands-on learning through vocational education or start a traineeship and earn while you learn.

Looking at becoming an early childhood teacher? Apply for university and get qualified to teach.

Flying Start Pathways provides wrap-around, integrated support for students while you study.

Through Flying Start Pathways, you can access pre-certificate taster courses, Transition to Uni guidance, placement support, wellbeing and mental health support, career guidance and more.

Find out more about Flying Start Pathways

Browse the career pathways below and learn how you can get started in early childhood.

Educators work directly with children to support their wellbeing, learning and development.

To become an early childhood educator, you’ll need a certificate III or diploma in early childhood education and care.

Enrol in and complete a diploma, and you could be eligible for up to $6,000 of financial support from the Government of South Australia.

The Government of South Australia also subsidises the certificate III and diploma courses in early childhood education and care at a range of providers across South Australia. For more information on eligibility visit My Training | Get qualifications to build your career (skills.sa.gov.au).

If you want to combine work and study, a traineeship might be for you. Traineeships can be undertaken at either the certificate III or diploma levels. For more information visit My Training | Trainees & apprentices (skills.sa.gov.au).

Preschool teachers create inspiring, interesting, and age-appropriate learning and development environments, while driving opportunities that help every child thrive. To become a teacher, you’ll need a university degree.

Enrol in and complete an undergraduate degree and you could be eligible for up to $25,000 of financial support.

In South Australia, Flinders University and Adelaide University offer the following bachelor degrees in early childhood education:

Check out the full list of teaching qualifications that are eligible for financial support.

Not sure if you're ready to commit?

If you are new to the early childhood sector, or not sure if its right for you, you can start with a pre-certificate ‘taster’ course from TAFE SA. This online course is a free short, supported introduction to the early childhood sector.

It will help you build your confidence, meet educators, and discover if this career is right for you. Enrol now in the free, interactive, self-paced course by visiting Kickstart your Future: An Introduction to Careers in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia (tafesa.edu.au)

In-person taster courses are also available from time-to-time through the Flying Start Pathways program.

Looking for something else?

Financial support

Offset your living expenses while studying or working as an early childhood teacher or educator.

Learn more

Qualifications and further study

Take your career to the next level with a qualification in early childhood, or undertake further study to progress your career.

Learn more

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