qualifications for working in children's services
The Children's Services Regulation 2004 (the Regulation) sets the requirements for who can work in children’s services. As well as being a minimum of 18 years of age, Clause 6 of the Regulation defines a person who has the required abilities to care for children as a person who:
- is sympathetic to the welfare of children, and
- has adequate knowledge and understanding of children and families so as to be capable of meeting their needs, and
- is able adequately to care for and supervise children, and
- is of suitable maturity, health and personality to care for children.
do I need to be qualified to work in children’s services?
Many people work in children’s services without holding a formal qualification. However, a licensed centre-based children’s service must employ a number of qualified people. The number of people required, and their type of qualification will vary depending upon the numbers and ages of children for which the centre is licensed.
Qualifications are required for the positions of Authorised Supervisor, Teaching Staff Member and Primary Contact Staff Member for children under two years. Further detail about these qualifications is provided below.
The Regulation also specifies a qualification for cooks if meals are prepared and provided to children on the premises of a child care service.
See Qualifications for cooks in Children's services.
who is this information intended for?
It is to assist people who are unsure about their current qualification. They may be unclear whether it meets the standards of the Regulation and allows them to work in a centre in a position which requires qualifications.
The information is particularly intended for those who may have come to NSW from another state or territory, or from overseas. A person may have worked in children’s services elsewhere or intends to work in the field and needs to know if their existing qualification is sufficient or whether they may need to do additional study.
You can also obtain further information from the Executive Officer Qualifications (EO-Q) by telephoning 02 9716 2138 or email to EO-Qualifications@community.nsw.gov.au
which positions require a qualification?
The three positions listed below have a qualification requirement. Refer to the Children's Services Regulation 2004 for the exact requirements.
- Authorised Supervisor
- Teaching Staff Member
- Primary Contact Staff Member for under 2 year olds
what qualifications already meet these requirements?
There is a list of qualifications that have been assessed as meeting the requirements of the Regulation. The list is developed from information provided by universities and the Vocational Education and Training sector. Even if your qualification is listed you may wish to contact the EO-Q to confirm that it is current.
See the current list of qualifications that meet the Regulation.
If a qualification is not listed, a person will need to make a formal application that includes detailed supporting documentation.
the application process
applicants with a previously assessed qualification
You are not required to do anything except provide evidence (such as certified copies) of your qualification to any prospective employer.
applicants with overseas qualifications
An overseas qualification, other than a New Zealand qualification, must first be assessed by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition Australia (NOOSR) (1800 020 086) before it can be submitted to DoCS for assessment.
The NOOSR assessment will determine the equivalent Australian level of the overseas qualification but please NOTE that it does not assess the content of the qualification.
Overseas qualifications in a language other than English have to be translated by a certified translator. Contact the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
all applicants
The qualification, course transcripts, subject descriptions and all other relevant documents will need to be submitted for assessment. Details of what is required are given in the application form. For an application to be considered it would need to reflect a substantial course of study in Early Childhood. It should include study of educational strategies and practices relevant to Early Childhood and evidence of supervised training while studying.
Applicants can download and complete the application for assessment of children's service qualifications and forward it to DoCS.
is a teaching qualification sufficient for an Early Childhood teacher?
Teaching qualifications for either Primary or Secondary education may not have sufficient Early Childhood content. To be qualified to be a Teaching Staff Member in an Early Childhood setting the qualification would need to include child development, education and care giving, and curriculum and programming across the birth to 8 years age range.
how is experience used in an assessment?
Experience by itself it is insufficient to meet the minimum standards described in the Regulation.
Appropriate experience could be formally recognised by a university, TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation for the purpose of gaining credit towards a Degree or Diploma qualification. This is known as ‘advanced standing’ or ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’
The next page outlines the centre-based and mobile staff requirements.