Why Educare Is A Great Career Choice

Educare is one of the NATED (National Accredited Trade and Education Diploma) qualifications, that is offered by many FET, TVET and Private Colleges or Institutes. It also has a Diploma Course within its programme.

It is seen as a very prestigious and highly regarded qualification. After completing an Educare qualification the career possibilities are endless as the need for and demand of individuals who possess such a qualification are at an all time high.

Offered via distance learning, Educare as a NATED qualification can be studied through the following accredited and recognised (both nationally and internationally) institutes:

An important part of gaining your Educare: NATED qualification is deciding where to do so. The reason for this is that pursuing a career in early childhood development can determine your eventual success. Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers Educare as an accredited and recognised qualification.

It is important to choose a recognised distance learning college that offers Accredited Courses when taking a course via distance learning. Completing an accredited course will grant you a recognised qualification, increasing your chances of being recruited in your chosen field.

Bellview Institute of Distance Learning is accredited by the QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) to offer Educare: 01-QCTO/SDP290618-2617

Educare: NATED Qualifications are broken down into the following study streams:

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Quality Councils of Trades and Occupations all recognise Matric College as a distance learning institution. The majority of their courses are accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and included on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Through Matric College, you can pursue approved NATED Courses via distance learning, giving you the independence and flexibility to study and work at the same time!            

NATED Courses

These are also referred to as National Diploma. They are made up of a programme that consists of three theory bases certificate courses and a final practical course which upon completion awards you a Diploma.

Here is a what you will usually find on offer under NATED courses

What Is Educare?

Educare is the collection of courses that revolves around the support, caretaking and education of children aged 0 to five. This means that a career in Educare will primarily involve working with children in their early childhood development stages.

A critical outcome of Educare as a study field is that whoever completes their National Diploma, possess the required knowledge, skills and tools to see to the complete care, support and education of children during their formative years.

Individuals who choose a career in this field will thus become an integral part of the lives of children during their prime growth and developmental years.

Knowing how to intuitively and quickly identify and work with early childhood illnesses and any potential developmental problems, is at the core of Educare. Other than that, students who complete their Educare qualifications will be able to create fun, engaging, creative and educational activities and experiences. Educating individuals on how to properly use communication tools and skills to interact with both children and parents, is also an important aspect of Educare.

Taken one step further, if an individual has a business or entrepreneurial mindset whilst having a love of children, Educare equips them with the knowledge to open and manage their own childcare facility.

Educare As A Career Choice

The possible careers to choose from after you have completed your Educare qualification are endless. Covering a broad spectrum of different employment roles, Educare is an ever-expanding field.

Above that Educare careers also contain a wide number of personal benefits that will aid you in your life outside of work.

Career Opportunities With Educare

A few stand-out career opportunities available to you after completing your Educare: NATED qualification include:

  • Babysitter

In this role, you will be responsible for the total caretaking position of a child or children in the absence of their parents. This career path has the benefit of having flexible hours and the ability to set your own schedule and hourly rate. It is up to you how many hours you work and for how many families you choose to work.

  • Au Pair

An Au Pair is seen as similar to that of a babysitter with the unique differences in that most Au Pair positions are live-in and thus much more broad in their responsibilities. From education, meal preparation, transportation to and from school and other venues, being an Au Pair is much more hands-on. In the last few years international agencies have taken an interest in South African Au Pairs with the possibility of placing them with a family abroad.

  • Daycare Centre Administrator

This position is responsible for the administrative side of an ECD facility. Taking on this role you will be tasked with a number of technical and administrative skills, relating both to the interaction with children and their parents. Maintaining a positive and professional environment will also be your responsibility.

  • Daycare Manager

When assuming the role of a Daycare Manager, primarily you will be placed in a leadership role and thus you need to be able to communicate very well in any given situation. You will also need to have the initiative to take the lead in the daily managerial aspects of a daycare.

  • ECD Childcare Assistant

When you take up the role of an ECD child care assistant, you are the primary assistant within the entire facility and in some cases a specified teacher or department. Ensuring that everything runs smoothly in the classroom and playground environment is very important. You need to ensure that it remains a supportive, safe, fun and educational environment.

  • Infant, Toddler, or Preschool Teacher

According to the discretion of the ECD facility owner and manager, you can apply for this position. Most often they will require you to further your education by pursuing your Bachelor’s of Education, whilst working for them. This is a win-win situation as you will be able to gain experience, and further your studies at the same time.

Personal Benefits Of Educare As A Career Choice

With a  wide range of personal benefits, Educare as a career choice is one of the many reasons why so many choose to pursue a career in Educare. Being involved in the early childhood developmental years of children has many benefits, for example:

  • Having a career that is both fun and enjoyable
  • Increasing your employment opportunities
  • Pursuing a reliable and fulfilling career
  • Flexibility in schedule and salary
  • Sharing and gaining of knowledge
  • Challenging but also very rewarding
  • It cultivates creativity

Rewards Of Having A Career in Educare

As a profession Educare contains many benefits on different levels of personal growth and employment opportunities. The personal benefits of a career in Educare are impactful and long-lasting. For example:

  • Improving your communication skills
  • Planning and instruction skills
  • Creation of a creative perspective
  • Decision making mindset
  • Analytical skills
  • Creating organizational skills
  • Improving your leadership skills
  • Increasing your physical stamina

Improving Your Communication Skills

Having a well-rounded set of communication tools and skills is essential to Educare. Your ways and methods of effectively communicating with both parents, children and other staff members will be improved and adapted every day.

Planning And Instruction Skills

Having efficient and rational planning skills will be a large part of your career. Using the most effective and comprehensive planning skills to ensure an environment without confusion. Beyond that, being able to instruct and relay information is an important skill in Educare which can be applied outside of the class as well.

Creation Of A Creative Perspective

Being able to think and view situations from a creative perspective is integral to your career in Educare. Working with children daily will mean that you need to let your creativity guide you in order to keep things fun and entertaining whilst still being educational and safe.

Decisions Making Mindset

Making decisions in an instant, that offers an appropriate result for everyone, is crucial to any career, especially one in Educare. Growing and developing your ability to make decisions as situations arise will be an everyday occurance in an ECD facility. Keeping the safety and education of children above all else and keeping it in mind in an emergency situation will benefit you both inside and outside of the classroom.

Analytical Skills

Just as much as you need to think creatively, working in an ECD facility or directly with children means that your analytical thinking needs to be sharp as well. This ties in with your ability to make the correct decision in a situation after analyzing every bit of information at your disposal. Constantly using this skill will cause it to be more prominent in your personal life too.

Creating Organisational Skills

If you have a high sense of organisation then working in Educare will only benefit you. Being organised leads into the effective running and improvement of the general environment that a child or children find themselves in. This means that your administrative skills will be growing and improving as you progress in your career.

Improving Your Leadership Skills

Realising that you will be dealing with children at a stage of their lives where they need a strong leadership figure, your abilities to proactively lead and in doing so assure the best possible outcome is crucial. Being adaptable in how you lead will also be one of the biggest rewards a career in Educare can have.

Increasing Your Physical Growth

Choosing a career in Educare, regardless of which it is, will mean that at some point you will need to actively engage with the children in your care. Doing so on a daily basis has the result of your personal health and stamina improving, whilst at the same time you have the chance to impact how the children develop physically as well.

If you find  interested in a different path feel free to have a look at some of the post-matric offered by Bellview Institute of Distance  Learning.

Author: Morné van Emmenis

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