How To Become an Early Childhood Teacher

Create inspiring, interesting and age-appropriate learning environments and opportunities that help every child to reach their potential. Early Childhood Teachers create experiences and programs that inspire and support children’s learning and development.

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or working full-time and want to make a career change, there’s no more fulfilling career than an early childhood teacher. If you’re unsure how to become an early childhood teacher, this helpful guide will walk you through the role of an early childhood teacher and the qualifications required to pursue this rewarding career.

What is an early childhood teacher?

Early childhood teachers provide care and education for young children. They work with children from birth to age five, in a variety of settings including long daycare centres, preschools and kindergartens.

Early childhood teachers help prepare children for school by providing them with programs and experiences that teach the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

These early learning experiences build confidence, develop self-esteem and improve socialisation skills.

How to become an early childhood teacher in Australia

A career as an early childhood teacher can be pursued at various life stages. Whether you’ve always wanted to teach in the early education sector and are ready to jump into a university degree; you’ve spent years working in another field and have decided to switch careers; or you’re an experienced, diploma-qualified educator looking to upskill, there are flexible course options available.

Qualifications

The minimum requirement to be an early childhood teacher is a qualification recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This includes Bachelor, Masters and Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education courses.

A Bachelor degree generally takes four years to complete (full-time). If you already have a Bachelor degree (in any field), you may be able to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Educations, qualifying you as an early childhood teacher in one year.

Work Experience and Jobs

If you want help to become an early childhood teacher, ELACCA members operate more than 2,300 early learning and care services across Australia, educating and nurturing more than 243,000 children. Together, our members provide 25 per cent of the nation’s early learning and care places.

Reach out to our member network to learn how to become an early childhood teacher in Australia.

More big roles...

Early Childhood Educators

Sometimes referred to as a "childcare worker" Learn More

Lead Educators

Educational leadership and direction for a team of early childhood educators.
Learn More

Managers & Directors

Direct all the operations of an Early Childhood Education Centre. Learn More

Latest vacancies from across Australia.

Select your state or territory to find the jobs, training options and financial support available to you.

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Take the quiz: Is this career for you?

Could you become an early childhood educator and play a big role in little lives?

Answer eight questions to see if you’re on the right track!

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What’s your next step? How to get qualified.

Early childhood educators are skilled professionals.

The work they do has an incredible impact on little lives.

Whatever your background, there’s a qualification pathway into early learning and care that’s just right for you.

Learn More