Skills & competences

Description

Early childhood educators promote the social, physical, and intellectual development of children below primary school age through the provision of educational and play activities.
Tasks include -
(a) planning and organizing individual and group activities designed to facilitate the development of children’s motor, cooperative and social skills, confidence and understanding;
(b) promoting language development through storytelling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal conversations and discussions;
(c) leading children in activities that provide opportunities for creative expression through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical fitness;
(d) observing children in order to evaluate progress and to detect signs of developmental, emotional or health-related problems;
(e) observing and assessing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students’ progress;
(f) supervising children’s activities to ensure safety and resolve conflicts;
(g) guiding and assisting children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits;
(h) discussing progress or problems of children with parents and other staff members and identifying appropriate actions and referrals to other services;
(i) establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other service providers working with young children.
Examples of the occupations classified here:
- Early childhood educator
- Pre-school teacher
Some related occupations classified elsewhere:
- Child care centre manager - 1341
- Child care worker - 5311