Department of Education and Training
Working in kindergarten
Kindergarten services provide a structured, play-based education and care program led by a qualified
early childhood teacher for children in the year before Prep.
Services usually operate during school hours (8.45am to 2.45pm) within school terms for 6 hours a
day. Most kindergarten programs are offered over 5 days in a fortnight. A limited number of
kindergartens may also offer an extended hours program including vacation care.
There are more than 470 kindergarten services across Queensland, employing around 2,300 people
in a range of roles.
Early childhood educator – certificate III
Certificate III qualified educators are employed in educator positions in kindergarten services.
Generally, educators provide education and care to a group of children and may also help to plan and
develop the educational program for that group.
Jobs titles for certificate III qualified educators in kindergartens can include early childhood assistant,
teacher’s assistant or teacher’s aide, kindergarten assistant and assistant educator.
How to qualify
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Complete Year 10 or equivalent (entry requirements vary).
Hold or be studying towards an approved certificate III in early childhood with a registered
training organisation (usually 6 to 12 months full-time).
Early childhood educator – diploma level
Diploma qualified educators work with children to support their learning and development. They may
help to design, plan, implement and evaluate the educational programs.
Similar to certificate III educators, job titles for diploma qualified educators in kindergartens can
include diploma qualified assistant, early childhood assistant, teacher’s assistant or teacher’s aide
and assistant educator.
How to qualify
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Complete Year 10 or equivalent.
Hold or be studying towards an approved diploma in early childhood with a registered training
organisation or university (usually 1 to 2 years full-time).
Early childhood teacher – degree level
Kindergarten services must employ a qualified early childhood teacher. As well as working with
children (and their families) and planning and delivering educational programs, teachers supervise,
mentor and coach other educators. They may also act as the educational leader for the service.
Job titles for early childhood teachers can include early childhood director, kindergarten teacher and
early childhood teacher.
How to qualify
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Complete four semesters at Year 11 and 12 with sound achievement in English, mathematics
and at least one science subject.
Hold or be studying towards an approved early childhood teaching qualification at degree
level (usually 3 to 4 years full-time).
Some universities offer alternative entry for those who have been working for a number of years or
don’t have formal secondary school or tertiary qualifications.
Managing a service
There are no legislative qualification requirements to manage a kindergarten service unless you also
work directly with the children. Most services, however, will require the service director to have a
diploma, degree or higher.
Job titles for a kindergarten director may include kindergarten director, teacher/director, early years
director or centre director.
Start your early childhood career
Early childhood services have to employ staff who hold or are studying towards an approved
qualification so they comply with the National Quality Framework.
All approved qualifications are listed on the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality
Authority’s (ACECQA) website at www.acecqa.gov.au.
Before you enrol in a course, check that it is on this list of approved qualifications. It is also a good
idea to confirm with your education institution that the course you wish to study is approved.
If you have a qualification from overseas, contact ACECQA to see if it is recognised here in Australia.
Find out about Queensland Government training subsidies for:
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
• fee-free training for Year 12 graduates
by visiting www.skillsgateway.training.qld.gov.au
More information
Visit earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/inspirethefuture to find out more about careers in early childhood.
Laura Ballantyne
Teacher and Director, C&K Deception Bay North Community
Kindergarten
“Directing gives me more responsibility but more autonomy.”
I feel privileged working with children at such an important time of their lives. Everything we do sets
them up for future learning and also more successful academic, career and life outcomes.
As a Teacher/Director of a C&K kindergarten, my role combines teaching and the operational side. I
make community connections, meet legislative requirements and apply for community funding grants.
I also work behind the scenes supporting families – and I’ve seen many changes through the
connections they have with the kindergarten.
Directing gives me more responsibility but more autonomy. The day-to-day operations are my
responsibility but I have the support of C&K’s teams, head office management and policies and
procedures. You invest a lot of yourself in the program. It is very rewarding and also a lot of fun.
“We work with the children to extend on and develop their interests.”
Our program is highly flexible and based on an emergent curriculum. We extend on the children’s
interests, incorporating early numeracy, literacy, environment, science, creative arts, and other
subjects. Today I was able to link the children’s paintings of hands and feet to learning about
Aboriginal art – an amazing experience, all instigated by the children.
“Studying Inclusive Education will give me more flexibility and freedom.”
I strongly believe in helping children with additional needs to access early years education. With
further study, I could work in an early childhood development program, become an adviser or an
advising visiting teacher, supporting children with additional needs. So, I plan to study a Masters in
Education (Inclusive Education). This will give me more flexibility and freedom to move within the
sector.
Kelly Watts
Kindergarten Educator, St John’s Lutheran Kindergarten
“Developing young social skills… is a very important foundation for life.”
I am an integral part of promoting children’s learning and development. We use intentional teaching
practices, role modelling, and real life exercises such as cooking, self-help skills, physical wellbeing,
communicating, numeracy, literacy, and identity. You are developing young social skills. To me, that
is a very important foundation for life.
“You see their confidence, perseverance and positive attitude.”
At the beginning of the child’s kindergarten year, there is a language barrier. But, working with
children who speak English as a second language had an impact on my view of life and education.
We use activities that stimulate interest and a desire for learning. For numeracy, we have a series of
numbers with the child’s first language written underneath. At the end of the year, you see their
confidence, perseverance and positive attitude. They are ready to begin a new year of learning.
“I could not see myself doing anything else.”
If you love being around children, I’d say ‘Go for it!’ A career in early childhood is for you. You will put
your heart and soul into a career you love. As soon as I could, I started working with children and
studied for my Associate Diploma in Childcare at TAFE. That allowed me to be a group leader with a
kindergarten group. I also did my certificate III to become an educator. I applied to work at St John’s
Lutheran Kindergarten, and here I am today. I could not see myself doing anything else.