Childcare can be a highly rewarding field to study and start your career in, but the interview process can be quite daunting. There are certain steps you can take to prepare for a childcare interview in Australia and make a great impression on potential employers, including learning the common childcare interview questions, how to answer them, and what to bring with you to your interview.
What to bring to an interview in childcare and how to prepare
Research the child care centre
Look up the child care centre’s website, mission statement, and values. Familiarise yourself with their policies and procedures and take note of any unique features or programs they offer. If they follow a certain educational style in their centre, such as Montessori or Reggio, you can ask questions about how they apply it in each room or age group.
Review your qualifications and experience
Make sure you have a clear understanding of your qualifications and experience, as well as how they align with the position and the needs of the child care centre. Do you have an up-to-date blue card? Is your qualification in childcare suited to the role?
Carefully read through the job description and requirements and make sure you are clear on what the role entails. Take note of any specific skills or qualifications that are required and be prepared to discuss how you meet those requirements.
Prepare answers to common interview questions
Practice answering common interview questions for childcare interviews and personalise them to your own experiences. Try to give specific examples of your qualifications and time spent in childcare settings, and think about how you can demonstrate your ability to handle difficult situations and support the growth and development of children.
Understand the regulations and legislation
Understand the regulatory and legislative requirements for working in the child care industry in Australia, such as the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Knowing and familiarising yourself with these will help show your interviewers your commitment and knowledge in the field, as well as your interest in developing your skills.
Prepare any materials you may need:
Some childcare centres may ask you to bring along a portfolio of your work or specific examples of lesson plans or activities you have created. Be sure to have any materials you may need with you for the interview. Be cautious as to not share confidential information of previous employers or children you’ve worked with.
Dress professionally
It’s important to dress professionally for your interview and make a good first impression.
Be prepared to ask questions
Prepare some questions to ask your interviewers about the centre, the role, and their expectations for the position. This will show your interest and enthusiasm for the job and align with the centre’s expectations.
What common childcare interview questions could you be asked?
1. Can you tell us about your qualifications and experience in child care?
It’s important to highlight your relevant qualifications in childcare courses, such as a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or a Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as any relevant experience you have working with children.
Many childhood courses offer hands-on experience in childcare centres, which you can mention to help demonstrate how you’ve applied your learning in the past.
2. Why do you want to work in child care?
This is an opportunity to express your passion for working with children and your enthusiasm for making a positive impact on their development.
You can explain why you chose childcare as a career, and why the centre your applying for is appealing to you.
3. Can you tell us about a difficult situation you faced while working with children, and how you handled it?
This question is meant to gauge your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. It’s important to provide a specific example and explain the steps you took to address the situation.
4. How do you handle difficult children?
This question explores your ability to manage challenging behaviour, which can happen with any age group. Emphasise positive reinforcement, active listening, and being consistent with rules.
5. How do you plan and implement activities for children?
This question will measure your ability to design engaging and developmentally appropriate activities for children. It’s important to mention the importance of different types of play and learning, and the balance between activities.
You can study your area’s current resources, such as the EYLF, to find relevant information that you can reference.
6. How do you address issues of inclusion and diversity in a childcare setting?
This question is meant to gauge your knowledge and understanding of inclusion and diversity, and how you would apply it to an early childhood setting.
Be honest, and emphasise your understanding of the importance of respecting and valuing each child as an individual, regardless of their background or abilities. You might like to give examples of activities you’d encourage children to take part in to include everyone, or how you would handle a situation where children aren’t being included in activities.
7. How do you approach communication with parents?
Effectively communicating with parents is very important in early childhood education as they’re trusting you with their child’s education and care. Emphasise your openness and willingness to communicate regularly and proactively with parents to ensure the best outcomes for their children.
Questions you can ask during your interview
1. Can you tell me more about the daily responsibilities of this position?
Asking about daily responsibilities will help you understand what you’ll be expected to do on a day-to-day basis, and whether the role aligns with your skills and experience. Remember, an interview for a position in childcare isn’t just about securing your position, but finding out whether the centre is a good fit for you.
2. How does this position contribute to the overall goals of the childcare centre?
This will give you insight into the bigger picture of how the role you’re interviewing for fits into the organisation’s mission, and it also allows you to understand the organisation’s priorities. This will also help to understand your expected responsibilities if chosen to fill the role.
3. Can you tell me about the opportunities for professional development within the centre?
More than demonstrating that you’re keen to keep learning and growing, this will help you understand the centre’s commitment to helping their staff to grow and improve. If developing your professional career in childcare is important, this question will be as well.
4. How does the centre ensure compliance with regulations and legislation in the childcare industry?
This will give you an idea of how the centre handles the requirements of the National Quality Framework, Early Years Learning Framework and other legislation specific to the centre and the location. You can ask about the centre’s latest assessment and rating process, as well as how they expect staff to prepare.
Practising for an interview for a childcare centre
Practising for an interview can help you feel more prepared and confident on the day of the interview. You can prepare your responses to common interview questions and invite a friend or family member to roleplay with you to practice. Find additional childcare and study resources to explore and learn.
And remember, the most important thing is to be yourself, speak with confidence and show your enthusiasm for the role and the centre. If you’re excited about the opportunity, be honest, and give it your best!
Is childcare a good career?
Early childhood education can be one of the most important and rewarding jobs a person can have.
It is a demanding industry that is often underestimated. Many people believe childcare is simply about looking after children, but it is so much more than that. Childcare workers are responsible for the safety and well-being of children in their care, as well as their development as individuals in both social and educational aspects.
They need to have a deep understanding of child development, as well as being capable of dealing with different situations that may arise. In addition, they need to be able to provide emotional support to both children and parents.
And while it is a demanding job, it is also an extremely rewarding one. Seeing the children in your care grow and develop can be an incredible feeling, and knowing that you have played a part in their journey is truly gratifying.
If you are considering a career in childcare, then know that you will be making a difference in the lives of the children in your care.
Why choose childcare as a career
You can make a real difference in a child’s early development and life
Childcare is a field with plenty of opportunities to make a real difference in a child’s early development and life. Childcare workers can provide the care and attention that children need during their formative years, helping them to develop physically, emotionally, and cognitively.
Childcare workers can also play an important role in promoting positive social and interpersonal skills. By interacting with children on a daily basis, childcare workers can help them to learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and cooperate with others.
Childcare can be a flexible career
Childcare can offer a lot of flexibility, as you can choose to work in a range of different settings, including schools, nurseries, and childcare centres.
You can also choose to work part-time or full-time, depending on your availability and your employer’s requirements. And, depending on your contract, childcare jobs offer paid holidays and vacation days.
There is a growing demand for childcare workers
According to Labour Market Insights, growth in demand for childcare workers has continually grown historically. Additionally, prospects remain positive with an estimated 5.9% future growth. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing number of families with young children and the growing importance of early childhood education. As a result, there are reliable job prospects for childcare workers.
Childcare is an interesting and varied job
Working with children can be both fun and rewarding. Every day is different, and you never know what might happen. You might find yourself getting messy with paints or playing tag with a group of kids. Or you might spend the day helping a child who needs some extra support.
No matter what, you’ll always have the opportunity to help children learn and grow. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. So if you’re looking for a job that’s both fun and meaningful, working with children in early childhood education is a great choice.
Opportunities for career progression
In recent years, the childcare industry has undergone rapid changes, and today it provides opportunities for career progression that weren’t available in the past. For example, many childcare facilities now offer long-term career paths that allow employees to move up into management positions.
In addition, there are a growing number of specialised childcare programs that provide employees with the opportunity to further their education and training. As a result, the childcare industry is an increasingly attractive option for those looking for a stable career with good potential for advancement.
How to start a career in childcare
If you want to start a career in childcare, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to attain relevant qualifications, such as a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or a more advanced Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. You’ll also need to complete your required hours of work placement. With a registered training provider, like EIM, the hours and placement will be organised for you.
Depending on your employer, you may need to have a background check and hold any related first-aid training for the setting you’ll be working in. Queensland childcare workers must carry a Blue Card which verifies their eligibility to work with children.
If you’re wondering what a blue card is and how to apply, or you’re unsure of what qualifications you may need for a career or specific role you’re interested in, please contact us for advice or submit a course enquiry.
Why study childcare
If you love working with kids and want to make a real difference in their lives, then studying childcare could be the right choice for you. Studying a childcare qualification can provide you with an advanced understanding of planning, implementing, and managing programs in Early Childhood services.
With one of our courses, you will develop a working knowledge of current regulations and laws within Australian childcare services, and learn about different methods and approaches in teaching. Then, you will learn how to adapt them to meet the needs of individual children’s needs and learning styles, applying your theoretical knowledge in particle situations. And with EIM’s tips on how to manage your studies and support for each student who learns with us, studying will be a breeze.
So, if you’re passionate about working with children and making a positive impact in their lives, studying childcare will help give you invaluable skills and knowledge to apply yourself, helping you begin your career.
Take a look through available childcare courses for domestic and international students, and submit a course enquiry to begin your application. Or, if you’re unsure of which course is relevant to your aspirations and career goals, feel free to contact our friendly team for guidance.
To work or volunteer in regulated child-related employment or operate a regulated child-related business in Queensland, you may need a blue card or exemption card.
What is a blue card?
A blue card is a process that is undertaken for anyone who wishes to work with children. It is similar to a police check but has additional screening standards to ensure child safety.
Thus, blue card is required for our students who enrol in Early Childhood Education and Care as vocational placement is included as a component of the qualification. International students will need to go the childcare centre to complete their vocational placement.
You can apply for the blue card before or after you arrive in Australia.
Check your eligibility
To help ensure the safety of children and young people in Queensland, the blue card system stops certain people from holding or applying for a blue card.
Who cannot apply for or hold a blue card:
- Disqualifying offences – To help keep Queensland children safe, some people are disqualified from applying for or holding a blue card.
- Serious offences – If you are charged with a serious offence, your blue card application will immediately be withdrawn.
Prove your identity
You will need a Customer Reference Number (CRN) from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) before you apply for your blue or exemption card to prove your identity. You can find your CRN on any TMR product.
The photo from your TMR product will be for your blue card. If your photo with TMR was taken more than 6 years and 9 months ago, you will need to have a new photo taken at a TMR customer service centre.
If you don’t have a CRN, or your photo has expired, you will need to visit a TMR customer service centre to get one. If you are unable to visit TMR or live interstate you can still apply for a CRN from them.
There is no fee to get a CRN or have your photo updated.
Getting a CRN
Take your acceptable identity documents to a TMR customer service centre to prove your identity
ask the TMR staff to take your photo.
When you have done this, you will need to wait for the CRN confirmation letter/email. When the confirmation arrives, keep it in a safe place as you will need the CRN to register for an online account to apply for your blue card.
More details about acceptable identity documents: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/identity
Steps
To apply for a blue or exemption card, follow these 3 steps.
- Have your CRN nearby to reference.
- Register for an online account. This is how we verify your identity and get the photo for your card.
- Apply for your blue or exemption card using the online applicant portal or download the paper form.
Click here: https://my.bluecard.qld.gov.au/
NEWS ARTICLE COVERED BY myGC
The child care industry in Australia is booming.
According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook service, the child care industry is experiencing very strong growth with around 184,000 job openings expected over the next five years.
EIM Training CEO Michelle Bottrall told myGC there’s never been a better time to study Childcare Education and Care.
“I am proud to say that at the moment 100 per cent of our students are actually in paid work, most of them while they are still studying, which is a pretty massive achievement,” she said.
Ms Bottrall said EIM Training offers a different study approach to other providers.
“When you come here, you get a much more personalised touch. We have a classroom model, where the students will learn the theory in a classroom, but we don’t just stop there,” she said.
“They actually gain the skills in our simulated classrooms so that before they go into industry, they are going to have a lot more confidence and a lot more preparation for what they need to do when they are connected with industry.
“We are a bit different in that we guarantee vocational placement. Every student has to accumulate a certain amount of hours to be able to complete their qualification. We secure that for them and it is guaranteed.”
Ms Bottrall told myGC there are also great government subsidies available to students at the moment, as well as flexible study options.
“On top of that, we also offer great pastoral care. If you are stepping out into your career for the first time, or you’re unsure about how things are going to go, our facility will provide you with that one-on-one absolute care and support that you’ll need to get through to get you that career and outcome,” she said.
EIM is a vibrant, energetic training facility, with industry knowledgeable trainers and has been operating for over 18 years.
