Children all over the world need special care for proper development. Of course, the world is changing, and researchers have carried out extensive research and are looking for ways to avoid future problems, and they have noted the necessity for proper early childhood education to be emphasized.
You might have heard this saying before “It is easier to build robust children than to repair broken men”. This saying is very true. By getting a diploma and delving into early childhood education. You would not only be helping kids and the world at large, but you would help yourself as the kids now will determine if the future will be pleasant.
A diploma is a certificate showing you have gone through learning something and have passed the requirements. It could be a year, two or even three years( depending on the study).
So, a diploma in early childhood will teach you how best to inspire young kids and create a supportive environment that stimulates their curiosity and joy for learning. This diploma will prepare you for a rewarding and varied career in children’s services. A child’s early years are the foundation for his or her future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development.
According to UNESCO, “Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is more than preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. ECCE can nurture caring, capable and responsible future citizens.”
Table of contents
Why You Should Earn An early Childhood Education Diploma?
These are the reasons to earn an early childhood education diploma;
It is a fulfilling and rewarding path:
Research has shown that people who get fulfilled in their jobs are less prone to health issues and stress. You spend most of your time where you work, and so it is left to you to decide if you want a career where you not only get paid well but also derive a high level of joy and fulfilment.
Why do some people delve into early childhood education because they know that one way or the other, they are imparting lives as well it’s an interesting career. The child’s early stage of development mostly determines the person he or she becomes, as the most rapid period of brain development is from birth to age 8. If you become an early childhood educator, you will be a part of that process.
It is not only fulfilling but rewarding. You can see the children you helped build become good people. This is one of the greatest reasons people earn early childhood degrees. Imagine how a child with a good early childhood startup and good adolescent guidance will turn out.
Most miscreants and criminals would not have become such if right from childhood they had the right people around them.
Numerous job opportunities
Aside from getting fulfilment, everyone wants a great job with good pay. Early childhood education is a rapidly growing field as its significance is now well known, besides as an educator, you will always be in demand.
Education is key in every society, and since early childhood education is now seen as an integral part, you will always be in demand.
You could follow various career paths with an early childhood education diploma examples are family support for specialists, Childcare Center Director, preschool teacher and many others.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of preschool and childcare directors will grow by 7% through 2028, though childcare employees will only see a 2% growth rate.
Knowledge of Developmental Stages
Getting a diploma in early childhood education will help them properly know child development stages, whether as a parent or a teacher.
This knowledge will help you understand the different age groups, learn to adopt proper teaching methods and help you understand how best to help a child experiencing developmental challenges.
You learn critical tools to support young children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
There are Opportunities to Earn the Diploma for Free
If you are an Australian, you might qualify for childcare qualification for free, or from just $1 to $2 per unit, because of government funding. Courses available under these initiatives include the CHC30113 Certificate III of Early Childhood Education and Care and the CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
What does an Early Childhood Educator do?
You can never undermine the importance of an early childhood educator. There are lots of things an early childhood educator is expected to do. However, these are some responsibilities and activities of an early childhood educator.
#1. Providing a safe and comfortable classroom environment.
An early childhood expert ensures that the child’s learning environment is very conducive and welcoming.
The environment is a major factor that determines the child’s learning abilities. If a child senses hostility or hatred in an environment, it creates a lack of interest in the child, as the child would not want to be there.
Children like to feel wanted and sheltered; if their preschool gives them that feeling, then are sure you would get the best out of them. An ECE professional also removes or repairs any items that pose a threat to the children.
Children from distorted homes would need a conducive place where they are cared for outside their dysfunctional home.
#2. They make learning fun and interesting
Children have the lowest attention span; they get easily distracted and lose interest if an activity seems boring.
Proper early childhood educators know various means to make the class interesting enough to sustain their attention. They use methods like giving them colouring activities, singing a song with them, playing and so on.
#3. Improve abilities
Evaluate children’s abilities, interests and needs and discuss growth or problems with parents and other staff members. They are concerned with the child’s physical, cognitive and social development.
#4. Child supervision
The early childhood educator is responsible for supervising the child properly. Diligently overseeing students in the classroom, during snacks and lunch, on the playground and during field trips is another duty of an early childhood educator.
In supervising their activities, you get to observe them properly, thus making it easier to spot their needs.
#5. Assist in growth
Teach and assist children in the growth of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits and all other etiquettes.
What jobs can you get with a diploma in early childhood education Australia?
They include;
- Early childhood educator.
- Childcare worker/nanny.
- Kindergarten assistant.
- Family day care educator.
- Specialised education teacher.
11 Job Opportunities In Early Childhood Education
This question often comes to people’s mind: “I would like to get a diploma in early childhood education, but would I get a good job?”. Yes, you can get a good job with a diploma in early childhood education. Not just that but with this diploma, you are exposed to different job opportunities, some of which are.
- Childcare worker
- Education Consultant
- Researcher
- Family Support Worker
- Health Play Specialist
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
- Play Therapist
- Primary School Teacher
- Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
- Social Worker
- Teaching Assistant
How much can you earn?
The salary range differs based on the country and job description. Countries like Nevada and New York pay early childhood educators the highest. The overall average earnings of an early childhood specialist could fall between $23,450 and $59,780 per annum.
In the US, you could make between $36,518 and $45,244, Canada $33,150 – $44,441, and so on. The higher your qualification, the higher your pay.
A preschool teacher’s Average Salary: is $29,780 per year. If you would be working as a preschool teacher, The states and districts that would pay you the highest yearly are New Jersey ($43,360), Connecticut ($43,080), New York ($42,330), District of Columbia ($42,160), and Hawaii ($42,160).
As a child care centre supervisor, your Average Salary could be up to $47,940 per year, while as a special education teacher, the average salary is $59,780 per year.
Time and Cost
To get a diploma, time and cost are important factors that you would like to consider.
Almost all early childhood education diplomas can be completed in as little as 2 years. Whether online or offline, you could complete an early childhood education diploma within a short period. You could be globetrotting around the world and still be learning, and you could attend a physical campus and achieve the best.
The cost of study usually varies depending on the institution and the diploma course. An actual price cannot be attributed as in some cases it might be free while in some you could spend as much as$18,000.
How to get a diploma in Early Childhood Education In 2024
If you have not already chosen the institution, you would prefer to attend. These hints might actually be useful.
- Decide the location you want. Whether online or offline or whether in Canada, UK etc.
- Find out institutions around your chosen location.
- Find out their requirements and see if you match that. Pick out the schools you could use your qualification to attend and check if their coursework matches your interest. By now, you should have been able to narrow down some selected schools.
- You must also check out the fees and costs. If you cannot afford it, find out if there are scholarships you might benefit from.
- Apply: if you would apply to these schools, ensure you apply before the deadline. If you are also required to write a proposal, ensure it is eye-catching enough.
- Keep reading. Read even outside your scheme. Anything on early childhood education you know might benefit.
- Wait for a response
- Once a reply response has been gotten, Get all materials needed and ensure you complete the required coursework.
10 Best Schools to Earn an Early Childhood Education Diploma in 2024
#1. Charles Darwin University – Australia
( Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care)
Charles Darwin University in Australia offers a 2-year full-time early childhood education and care diploma. There is the various scholarship available in the institution.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is an innovative, creative and inclusive modern university in northern Australia, teaching 24,000 students from over 55 nationalities across 11 campuses and training centres in over 100 regions.
Call them on 1800 061 963 or email us at student.central@cdu.edu.au.
Course webpage: www.cdu.edu.au
#2. Cambrian college
Cambrian College is a lively community of over 11 000 learners, with over 4100 students in 80 full-time programs and over 7000 students in almost 900 part-time courses and programs across three campus locations in northern Ontario: Sudbury, Espanola, and Little Current / Manitoulin Island.
Its diploma is for a period of 2 years – 4 semesters, and there are opportunities for Placement in each semester. You can contact the school at @cambriancollege.ca or call (705) 566-8101,
#3. Fanshawe college OnBirminghamda
If you are looking for an online community where you can blend theory with the hands-on application of theoretical principles, you should probably check out Fanshawe College Ontario. The early childhood education programs offered here have a program length is about 2 years, and the program is full-time. This school has about 4 different ECE diploma programs.
The school’s website is Visit website
#4. University College Birmingham:
This institution, located in Birmingham, England, allows you to earn a diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) Level 3 or any other childcare course you might be interested in.
It’s the program has a length of 2 years, and it is full-time. This institution offers both vocational and academic education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
#5. Saskatchewan Polytechnic Canada.
Saskatchewan is a cosy traditional area that welcomes people in all seasons. One of its reputable institutions is the Saskatchewan Polytechnic. By attending this institution.
- Get personal attention and hands-on learning opportunities.
- Focus on applied learning and applied research skills
- Be prepared to contribute on the job with marketable skills
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s two-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program is offered on-campus in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon or through regional colleges or distance learning wherever you live.
You can contact the school’s advisor on shelann.bundus@saskpolytech.ca
#6. Durham College
Durham College Ontario, established in 1967, also offers a 2-year Early Childhood Education Diploma/certificate.
It has about 2 campuses. Durham College has two main campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Ontario. Its students are More than 43,600, including 13,600 full-time post-secondary students.
#7. Reedley College
Established in 1926 is a public community college in Reedley, California. The campus community enjoys a unique variety of urban intricacy and rural values. Reedley College offers a diploma in Child Development (CA).
Reedley, United States of America, allows On-campus learning, Online / Distance, and Blended learning for 2 years.
The college offers associate degrees, and students can earn a Certificate of Completion or transfer to a 4-year university.
#8. Vancouver Island University
This institution’s major goal is to achieve excellence in learning. Vancouver Island University is welcoming to both international and domestic students.
# 9. The Swinburne University of Technology.
Known as Swinburne University, Sarawak, Malaysia, offers an Early Childhood Education diploma. Since it was first set up in the year 2000, Swinburne Sarawak has been booming.
The custom-designed campus has a current student population of 4,000. It has a program duration of 18 months.
#10. Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
A Diploma in Early Childhood is very feasible in this institution. This institution was established in 1892, and its campus is at Palmerston North, New Zealand. It has 5,786 students, Māori 30%, Pakeha 60%, and others 10%.
Requirements for Early Childhood Diploma
Note: These requirements might not be associated with other schools. Different schools have different requirements; however, here is some requirement that you might require.
- B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
- English 12 with a minimum of 67% or alternatives
- Criminal record history
- English language proficiency
- Grade 12 Math (the 40S) with a grade of 50 per cent or higher, or equivalent.
Conclusion
In this article, all you need to know about is how to get an early childhood diploma, the requirements, time and cost, why you should get this diploma, and annual mean salary and we have mentioned even steps you could use to get this diploma. Remember that early childhood is not just about overseeing a child; it is about making society and leaving an impact.
References
- Goodwin: School for Thought: Why Study Early Childhood Education?
- discoverearlychildhoodedu.org – degrees/best-early-childhood-programs/
Recommendation
