Blog

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) released the results of their annual National Student Outcomes Survey in December last year – and the data highlights strong satisfaction from employers and VET graduates.   NCVER, which is the main supplier of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector, surveyed 206,944 students – including […]

     Humans of Selmar: Mei Lee Teoh Graduate & now Assistant Director // Guardian: Kids Time McKinnon When it comes to passion in the workplace, Mei’s love for her child care career is truly contagious. A qualified teacher in Malaysia, moving to Melbourne saw Mei ready to make a bit of a career shift and she […]

Deciding on the course that’s right for your career path can be tricky enough, then there’s the other important decisions like how to choose between the online child care courses available to you. Don’t worry — while not all online courses are created equal, we’ve rounded up some essentials to look for when finding the […]

School readiness is a topic that the early childhood education industry is focused on enhancing, and for good reason — after all, childcare and kindergarten is where educators get the opportunity to give children the necessary tools to transition to life as schoolchildren! To support funded kindergarten programs in preparing children for the next stage […]

Everyone likes a win-win, don’t they? And supporting a team of employees in accessing professional development opportunities is just that. Professional development in child care is an investment into your business and its most important resource – its people.   Being proactive about building the skills of your workforce is a simple yet incredibly effective […]

Selmar’s practical placement co-ordinator, Kylie Jackson is passionate about the importance practical work placement plays for students and takes great pride in making it a valuable and positive experience.     We all know what an important industry early childhood education is. Providing nurturing care as well as play-based learning experiences to enhance children’s development during the […]

If you have recently becoming a Permanent Resident in Australia, Congratulations! Living in Australia gives you so many opportunities to enjoy, but you might be feeling concerned about finding employment as a Permanent Resident. Not to worry, as there are many industries in Australia with rewarding career options for you to explore. Aged care is […]

There are many roles to pursue in an early childhood education career. One position in a child care setting is Room Leader. This is the educator who is responsible for running a room. To become a Room Leader you’ll need experience along with the right qualifications. Things that are expected of a Room Leader can vary […]

Getting the call to schedule a job interview for a role you applied for is exciting and means a big opportunity is in front of you. It’s no surprise then that so many people feel anxious and nervous at the thought of it. Knowing what to expect from your child care job interview can help […]

First aid training is something everyone can benefit from. Regardless of your industry, parental status, age or hobbies, an understanding of first aid is a life skill that could save someone else’s life. Equally important is keeping your first aid training up to date. If you already completed a first aid course, you should congratulate […]

When you’re qualified in early childhood education there is a range of meaningful career paths you can take. From nanny to centre-based educator, family day care owner to child care centre director, each role is unique. Child care wages, hours and responsibilities can also vary depending on your position. If you’re exploring child care positions, […]

The role of early childhood educator, also known as child care worker, is a valued role in communities. With the responsibility of caring for children to give them the best start, plus enabling parents to go back to work, a child care career is incredibly fulfilling. So what is the child care salary you can […]

Working in child care settings we spend our time caring for children and their health and wellbeing. At this time of year it becomes especially important to be a SunSmart child care provider. Of course, working in child care you are in a busy environment with many children to care for, so you need a […]

Summer makes you think of carefree fun in the sun. While it is an enjoyable time of year it’s also important to stay safe in the sun. If you work with young children, these sun safety tips can help you protect their sensitive skin. Australia is renowned for its hot summers, and Melbourne summer is […]

As adults we are all aware that we need to be safe in the sun. It’s also our responsibility to protect children from the sun. The hot sun and bronzed skin are synonymous with Australia, but protecting ourselves from the sun is vital for our health and the health of the children in our care. […]

You want your child care centre to flourish, grow and be the best it can be. To do that you need the best professional development for child care centre you are working for. Your business outcomes are dependent on having a highly trained workforce. That’s why when you’re researching training options, you should adopt an […]

The Safe Schools Program has seen a lot of heat in the media about its progressive approach to supporting the LGBTQI community in the classroom. There are a number of anti-Safe Schools campaigns, which use myths as their primary driver to convince readers that Safe Schools is a bad idea. The purpose of the Safe […]

The experience of growing up in Australia and then of course growing old is something special. Celebrating Australia should mean celebrating all this country has to offer its people, including a diverse society, laidback culture and beautiful landscapes from country to coast. Part of our identity is defined by our relationship to Australia, making our […]

As child care professionals, many of the young people in your care will be moving on to school each year. As you’re preparing children for the transition to school, parents and families are likely to have questions about school so it’s important to have an understanding of school-related topics, including often-discussed ones like the Safe […]

Perhaps you’ve just finished school or returned from a gap year, or maybe you’re thinking of a career change. Either way, there are many times in life when we’re not sure what we want to do. When you’re trying to choose a course, that lack of direction doesn’t make it any easier! If you’re ready […]

We’ve all been caught in the dilemma of trying to find a job with no experience under your belt. The job ads ask for on the job experience, but how can you get that experience when no one will give you a go without it? It seems impossible! Thankfully we have discovered the key to […]

There are many perks you get when you start a family day care — flexible hours, less stress, rewarding work. Take a look at many more benefits of being a family day care educator here. Many people, particularly parents, are looking for employment options where they can have the flexibility to earn money around their […]

Starting a family day care service is an exciting venture that can bring you plenty of success, flexibility and fulfilment. You do need to get to know the rules and regulations to follow when starting a family day care, so let’s take a look. Providing a safe space for your family day care service The […]

Living expenses have increased a lot over the years, yet wages have not. To make ends meet and provide for their families, or to continue with a career they love, many mums and dads are both at work. This has lead to higher demand for child care services throughout Australia, including newer options like family […]

As we farewell 2017 and say a big ‘hello’ to 2018, it’s only natural that we reflect on the year that was — and start making our plans for the year to come. Could the end of the year be the beginning of a new career for you? New Year’s resolution: start a new career […]

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. With images of Santa Claus, elves and his reindeer filling shopping centres, homes and child care centres alike, it is an exciting time for children. Celebrating Christmas in your child care centre can be a fun and educational experience, but it is important to be mindful that […]

A challenge of working in child care is discovering ways to engage children while also enhancing their development. Exploring the five senses with children in child care can open up your mind to many activities with the confidence that you are contributing to their development. The five senses are an excellent way for children to […]

Just like adults rights, children’s rights in child care are equally important. This includes children’s rights to ownership and control of their own bodies. They should feel safe and respected and understand that when it comes to their bodies, they have control of who can touch them. As child care providers, you play a vital […]

It may not be a life skill as much, but taking care of planet earth is incredibly important for children’s futures. Learning how to do the right thing by the environment is something that we can teach children from a young age, so why not start going green in child care? Encouraging environmentally friendly habits […]

7 artistic activities for sensory play in child care As a childcare worker, you want to do your very best to enhance your children’s development. A great way to achieve this is by incorporating sensory play into your daily activities. Sensory play has an integral role in children’s development by enabling them to explore the […]