Finding the right child care course and trainer

Where is YOUR career heading?

Which early childcare education and care course interests YOU?

These are two very important questions to consider when determining the right child care course and training provider. However what becomes apparently clear from these two questions is the importance of “you” in the picture. It is all about you. You are the most significant thing to consider in the equation.

For this reason, you need to make sure that your training provider of choice ticks every box. Don’t be afraid to question them until you feel comfortable about the course you are undertaking.

Here are some points you need to think about before you make your final choice.

Is the training provider registered?

Question them about their registration details and ask them to provide their registration number. They need to be upfront with this information and if they are unable to produce the information you need for whatever reason, walk away. A registered training organisation (RTO) is a company that is registered with the Australian Government (ASQA – Australian Skills Quality Authority) to provide nationally recognised training qualifications and competencies. That means your qualifications will be accepted all around the country. If you choose a training provider who is not registered, your qualifications will not be recognised.

You can confirm that a training provider is delivering nationally recognised training by searching the database on vocational education and training in Australia, training.gov.au. Victorian residents can also check via the Victorian Skills Gateway to see if they are government funded

Can the training provider deliver the kind of training you need?

Let’s take a look at the training itself. Will the training further your early childhood career or give you the experience you need? What qualification will you be left with upon completion? Does the course lead to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification? The AQF provides the standards for Australian qualifications from certificate to doctoral level awards, and that’s how we know that a qualification awarded in one state will be at the same standard as one awarded elsewhere in Australia.

There is no point undertaking a child care course which will not benefit you in the future and turns out to be a waste of time and money. The right child care course will take you where you want to go.

Does the course fit into your schedule?

Training takes up a lot of time and trying to balance study with work is even more challenging. Therefore you need to ensure that it fits into your present schedule. Ask your provider how much time you will need to devote to the course, and how much homework you will need to do. Take a close look at the attendance requirements before you commit to the course.

It’s also a wise idea to talk to the training provider about the support and assistance they may be able to offer you throughout the course.

Will there be a workplace placement and, if so, who arranges it?
Can you have access to technology such as computers or tablets if needed?
Is there a trainer who can help you if you are struggling?

A course can be much easier to manage if the training provider offers you enough support.

Does it meet your budgetary needs?

Make a list of your preferred providers and ask them to provide a quote on your preferred training package. Compare the quotes and negotiate with the providers to find the one that is a perfect match for you. Look to see if there are any extra “hidden” costs, and ask for a copy of the refund policy, too – and make sure you read it. It will give you some peace of mind to know under which circumstances you are entitled to get your money back.

What if you lose your job?

One final important question that you need to ask is “what happens if your employment ceases?” If you are doing the course as part of your current employment and you suddenly find yourself without work, will you still be able to complete the course? (And is it important to you that you do?) You can’t predict what is going to happen in the future and you need to know what the worst case scenario is should your situation change.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when you are choosing the right child care course and the right training provider. The key point is to make sure that your training provider is a registered training organisation (RTO) so you can be guaranteed of a quality course and nationally accredited qualification.

Now, remember the “you” we talked about earlier? Let the training providers know YOUR expectations and what YOU hope to achieve. Gone are the days when a training course is a “one size fits all”. It, first and foremost, must fit in with your objectives – after that, everything else is a bonus.

If you have questions that you would like answers to, feel free to chat with the friendly team at Selmar Early Childhood Education Institute. We will help you make sense out of everything so that you choose the right child care course.