Early Learning
Connection
Career pathway into your profession
Every journey begins with a single step
Early Learning Connection is a flexible career pathway in early childhood education. Join us and be supported in the profession, with other women just like you.
Start your career
in early childhood education with an early learning centre where you can work, study at the Canberra Institute of Technology and be supported along the way.
Take the next step
in your early childhood education career. Be supported to try introductory units at the University of Canberra towards becoming an Early Childhood Teacher.
The Early Learning Connection pilot program was delivered over 2021-22 to 2022-23, led by Baringa in partnership with the University of Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology, Early Childhood Australia and early learning centres in the ACT.
For more information contact us at connect@baringa.org.au.
Media
Early Learning Connection - Information Session
Be inspired.
Min-Zhi (Misty) Herman-Lin
“Be brave! Any person of any background can excel in this career. You can start at any age. All barriers can be overcome.”
-
Can you tell us how you started your career?
I began my career in my mid-50s! I was working in the hospitality industry when I decided I wanted a career change.
I began applying to work at Early Learning Centres and they asked me to work in their kitchens. I worked in a few centres across Canberra and developed a passion for early education through watching children and educators interactions and educational practices.
I learnt skills and enrolled in my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Baringa was my placement centre and I was offered a casual educator position of which I have been in and loved ever since.
What do you love most about working in early childhood education and care?
I love working with children. They encourage me to be more active and make me feel happy and young.
I am proud of my own children and think that they are successful in life because of the love and care I gave them growing up.
Early childhood education is very important and children absorb so much from watching educators. If you are a good educator and look after kids they learn from you and you learn so much from them too.
What is your advice for women thinking about a career in early childhood education?
Be brave! Any person of any background and age can excel in a career in early childhood education.
If you love children, or find passion in what you do, working in the industry is not hard and all barriers can be overcome.
You do not need the highest qualifications, English can be your second language, and you can start at any age. As long as you can involve yourself and learn how to engage with children you can find a job here.
Rachael Mohe
“Being in early childhood education shapes you to become an even better person, have an open mind and heart.”
-
Can you tell us how you started your career?
I started working in early childhood education because I grew up with my mum doing family day care at home. I always enjoyed being around younger children.
Through studying my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, I learnt the importance of the early years and grew more passion for building the younger generation.
What do you love most about working in early childhood education?
I love my job because I know what I am doing now is impacting every child that I care for.
Every day is different, with new skills, new experiences, new challenges, and so on. Working in Early Childhood Education is like waking up to a surprise every morning because you never know what the day is going to bring.
What is your advice for women thinking about a career in early childhood education?
When you are caring for a child you need to be there physically and mentally, these children need love, and support and to feel like they are being heard.
Keep in mind what kind of world you would like to live in, you are shaping the next generation.
Carmen Ulrick
"Be part of something special, making a genuine difference in a child’s life is so worth it. Fall in love with early childhood education."
-
Can you tell us how you started your career?
I started because I was ready to get back into the workforce after having my three boys and I needed something flexible and a workplace that would be understanding of my parenting needs.
I never expected it to be anything serious, but here I am years later, studying a Bachelor of Education! I fell in love with Early Childhood Education.
What do you love most about working in early childhood education?
I love that I am making a difference. I love those little moments where I overhear a child repeating something I’ve taught them. I love that I get to support their families. I love building connections.
I am incredibly passionate about inclusion, and I love having the opportunity to support children and families in the early days of their journeys.
I have three children with additional needs, and I love that I work in a place that is understanding and supportive of my ‘mum duties’.
I never feel like I have to choose between being a mother and being an educator because here I am supported holistically and I can fully embrace both roles.
What is your advice for women thinking about a career in early childhood education?
Just do it. It can be challenging, but what job isn’t?
The feeling you get when you genuinely make a difference in a child’s life is so worth it. The sector is changing and growing and the sky’s the limit. Come and be a part of something special.
The beauty of this sector is you can make it what you want - if you want flexibility while your children are little, you’ve got it. If you want a consistent routine, and you want to try out study with a Certificate III, you’ve got it. If you want to fully embrace it and make it your career, you’ve got it.
You don’t need to make your family fit your career, early childhood education fits your family.
