Career Pathways - Entrée’s Guide to Finding Early Childhood Teacher Jobs
Are you interested in a career in early childhood education? Search jobs, register for a user profile, and view our interactive pathways guide below.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Begin Working in Early Childhood Education
The ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) sector has rapidly expanded in recent years and is predicted to keep growing into the future. Accompanying this major growth is the demand for ECEC workers - simply put, there’s never been a better time to find work in ECEC.
This is a hands-on sector with a huge duty to provide young children with high-quality education and care. Our role in this process is to give you the advice that will secure you a satisfying employment outcome, regardless of your prior experience.
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Join over 2000 Early Childhood
Educators who find work with us
Early Years Candidate Benefits
Entrée Early Years Recruitment offers an extensive benefits program beyond traditional recruitment services. Join a supportive and inclusive environment that cares about your Early Years career growth.
- Above Award Rates: from $39 - $58 per hour.
- Training and Development: Complimentary Workshops and Training Programs.
- Candidate Care: Welcome pack, referral program, events, candidate resources, loyalty program, anniversary gifts and annual awards night.
- Permanent Employment: Opportunity for temporary to permanent placements.
- Explore Centres: Gain knowledge and experience from various educators and settings.
- Shift Flexibility: No minimum shift requirements. Choose your locations and availability.
- Refer an Educator Program: Be rewarded for helping us find early childhood staff!
Pick Your Pathway
Whether you’re entirely new to early childhood education or
already on your journey, we have guidance to offer you.
Find An ACECQA-Approved RTO or University
The National Quality Framework, created by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, defines the minimum qualification requirements for educators working in children’s education and care services. If you don’t yet hold a qualification, your first step towards working in early childhood education should be to study for a Certificate or Diploma at an ACECQA-Approved RTO, or a Bachelor of Education or Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood) at a university.
Early Childhood Study Options - Certificate III Childcare, Diploma, or University Degree
- CHC30121 - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121, or;
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Child Care.
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education), or;
- Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Achieve a Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor, or Masters
It may take several years to achieve your qualification, depending on the level of education you seek to acquire. Estimated timelines are as follows:
- Certificate III (12 to 18 months)
- Diploma (18 to 24 months)
- Bachelor (4-years FTE)
- Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) – 2 years FTE
Study Further or Work as a Diploma-Qualified Educator
In your studies, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills to support children's well-being, learning and development. You’ll also get hands-on experience during your placements that immerses you in practical sector experience.
Upon completion of a Diploma, you can then explore pathways into a University Degree (for further studying) or get take your first steps as a Diploma Qualified Educator in one of our partner centres.
Fulfil Industry Requirements to Continue
In addition to your qualification, you will also need to fulfil the following requirements to work in early childhood:
- Working with Children Check
- Education and Care First Aid (HLTAID009, HLTAID010, HLTAID011, HLTAID012)
- RRHAN-EC - Fundamentals & Masterclass (the course you need will depend on your role)
Study Further or Work as a Degree-Qualified Educator
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) degree offers a range of diverse employment options beyond teaching only specific roles. You may also choose to continue onto further research with a PhD, Masters of Education or Education Doctorate.*
As an Early Childhood Teacher, you’ll use your understanding of early childhood development to enrich children’s educational outcomes. You’ll work collaboratively with other teachers to develop and implement a curriculum while building strong relationships with parents and families in the local community.
Enter The Early Childhood Workforce!
After completing a minimum of one qualification and the mandatory sector requirements, you are ready to begin your career in early childhood education. This is great because beginning a profession in early childhood education has never been more advantageous. To address the demand for community service, this sector has seen rapid expansion in recent years and is predicted to keep growing.
If you are interested in furthering your qualifications to undertake either Early Childhood Teaching roles or Director and Management-level opportunities, you may be required to undertake higher-level education.
You’re Ready to work with Entrée Early Years
One of our dedicated consultants will endeavour to place you in your dream early learning setting in either a permanent, temporary or contract position. You can see opportunities on our jobs board or register to join our candidate community.
Storytime! (Testimonials From Our Wonderful Clients and Candidates)
This is my first job after coming to Australia, and I really feel satisfied and grateful for working with Entrée Early Years Recruitment. Sam has supported me whenever I need them morally as well as professionally. Thank you so much Entrée Early Years
Candidate
Vineesha
Early Years respond to the centre to let us know what is happening faster than other agencies. I ring them to discuss many issues or to pick their brain on matters relating to childcare. I value their opinion, respect their experience and can have a very professional and open discussion. As a director, you have a bank of people you can speak to about issues in childcare, and they are high on that list. They take the time to visit the centres, so they know about the centre where they supply staff, which makes all the difference. The other event that stands out and says so much about who they are is from a professional point of view and values as a business. In sum, their wealth of knowledge and care about the different centres make the experience a pleasure, and it is always an easy process.
Christian Brothers College
Client
Entrée Early Years recruitment has helped me gain relevant work experience while continuing my university studies. Jordan, Sam and Sara have been so supportive in offering me shifts around my uni schedule, and I have experienced many different centre’s approaches to educating children.
Candidate
Charlotte
The quality of the staff we have received has always been excellent. I have also enjoyed the additional training opportunities, and we are looking forward to their upcoming breakfast event. The team have always made it very easy for us to get staff at short notice, and they are always helpful, happy and easy to deal with. The video job advertisements are a lovely fresh approach to seeing their staff in these advertisements, and the information about the role is verbalised in a way that clarifies precisely what it entails. It’s a pleasure doing business with Early Years. We won’t use your service every week, but when we do, it’s like dealing with friends.
Surrey Downs Community Children's Centre
Client
I have been a part of Entrée Early Years since 2015, and recently took a year-long break. Coming back, I am thrilled to say that my experience working with the team has been nothing short of exceptional. The number of shifts I’ve received has pleasantly surprised me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting the various centres I’ve been assigned to. It feels absolutely fantastic to be reunited with the team once again.
Candidate
Anonymous
Very positive and rewarding experiences. The staff can always offer what we require, whether a casual cook, educator or permanent staff member. Always a quick turnaround. Phone calls never go unanswered, and they are all friendly and helpful recruiters. They are always asking for feedback. We have an excellent professional relationship. The staff are lovely to work with. Warm, happy and very relatable. They know the sector of work inside and out, and that is due to come from the early childhood sector themselves. We love Early Years!
Kate Cocks Community Children's Centre
Client
All three of my placement experiences with Entrée Early Years were great. Plus, the flexibility works very well for how my weeks are scheduled. I also love visiting all the different centres to meet new people.
Candidate
Anonymous
Entrée Early Years made contact promptly and was amazing in assisting us and our needs. This was done in such a professional and efficient manner, and I felt very reassured. I am very happy with the support from Entrée Early Years and the quality of the educators who have assisted us.
Centre Director for Little Nook Early Learning
Client
I am extremely impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of the service provided by Entrée Early Years Recruitment. They deliver on their promise of a guaranteed call back for jobs, as long as you meet the necessary qualifications.
Candidate
Dinesha
We’ve been working with the lovely Early Years for about 6 months now, and it has been a fantastic support in partnering with us around providing for temporary staffing needs, particularly when we’ve needed an overflow of extra staff. And regarding understanding market needs and insights into what’s happening in the SA market. Also, coming into our business and understanding our culture, coming into our centres and getting to know our Directors and team members enabled Early Years to provide us with excellent staff. For us, it’s really been the quality of the staff that Entrée has provided and the ease of their team coming to our centres and assisting in looking after our children and liaising with our families. It’s really been the high-quality staff that Entrée has provided for us. Also, providing salary information if we’re looking in the market and trying to benchmark where we sit. Those sorts of insights from Early Years are beneficial to us in making business decisions.
Early Learning Centre
Emali
I am delighted to share my positive experience with the professional and cheerful staff at Entrée Early Years. Their excellent communication skills, both through email and in-person conversations, have made me feel valued as an employee. They consistently exhibit a high level of professionalism and a friendly demeanour, creating a pleasant working experience.
Candidate
Lisa
All of the staff you have placed with our programs have been fantastic. Each has brought high professionalism to their work and slotted in beautifully into our teams. Working with children on the spectrum can present some unique challenges. Still, each of your workers has taken it in their stride, applied their early childhood skills appropriately and demonstrated incredible initiative and adaptability. I am so glad to have connected with you last year and look forward to our continued partnership throughout the remainder of the year
Autism SA
Client
Communication is fantastic, and staff respond to messages and answer questions fast. Very welcoming and friendly.
Candidate
Clo
Entrée Early Years Recruitment have been wonderful to work with. They have given me all the shifts I wanted and have been accommodating to my schedule.
Candidate
Nisha
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