Students get a taste of a career in early childhood education

With demand for qualified early childhood teachers expected to increase significantly over the coming years, an event has been organised today (August 12) to give Coffs Harbour high school students a taste of what it’s like to work in early childhood education.

Southern Cross University’s School of Education, the Brayside Community Preschool and the Coffs Harbour Family Links Centre have organised a collaborative event for students interested in a career in early childhood education.

Brenda Pobjoy, a lecturer in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) said each centre would be hosting groups of students from years 10, 11 and 12 from schools between Woolgoolga and Macksville.

“Federal Government initiatives resulting from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreement in April of this year will result in a much greater demand for early childhood teachers by 2014,” Ms Pobjoy said.

“Under these initiatives there is a guarantee for all children who are in the year before school to have access to a minimum of 15 hours of preschool program per week by 2014 and that program is to be delivered by a degree trained early childhood teacher.”

Ms Pobjoy said Southern Cross University, which introduced a degree in early childhood education at the Coffs Harbour campus in 2008, was at the forefront of providing skilled teachers for this critical period in a child’s learning.

“We have organised this event so high school students have the opportunity to interact with young children and to meet with people working in the sector,” she said.

The students will also participate in program experiences, a discussion group with the preschool teacher and find out about available study pathways in a presentation by Southern Cross University teaching staff Professor Karen Hawkins and Ms Pobjoy.

Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) enables graduates to teach children from birth to eight years in the private or public sectors.

Media photo opportunity: Thursday, August 12, 11am-1pm - Brayside Preschool , 38 Coriedale Drive, Coffs Harbour and Family Link Centre, Link Road, Coffs Harbour.