For all new early learning educators, whether newly graduated or studying, it is important to take the time to develop hands-on skills and experience in the industry. While there are many views on the best ways to learn these skills in the workforce, working as a casual educator is an indispensable way to garner early career development. In this blog, we will address why working as a casual childcare educator is such an incredible way to develop in your childcare role and excel as a casual educator.

Benefits of Working as a Casual Educator

There are numerous benefits to working as a casual educator, especially when it is early in your career. From being able to juggle your studies and work with ease to gaining an incredible range of skills, it is worth looking into why so many educators prefer casual jobs. Here are some of the top benefits of working casually as an educator.

Exposure to Diverse Learning Environments

When wanting to become a versatile and adaptable early childhood educator, there are several advantages that casual workers have over permanent staff. Being able to step into various educational settings allows for exposure to different locations, demographics, and types of centres. This can include anything from different staff management styles to the diverse abilities and behaviours of children, enabling educators to adapt their skills and techniques to different environments. This hands-on experience in maintaining order and fostering a positive learning environment contributes significantly to a childcare teacher’s overall proficiency. These versatile and adaptable skills are critical for long-term success in the early education sector.

Builds a Supportive Network of Educators

When building a sustainable and supportive network of childcare professionals, working as a casual educator is incredibly beneficial. You can create a broad network amongst several or many centres, allowing you to absorb skills and work under the guidance of other educators in varied environments and situations. Working in this way provides the opportunity to cultivate many relationships that offer mentorship, collaboration, and even potential career opportunities in the future.

Brings Fresh Perspectives to Your Centre

Casual educators, with their diverse experiences, bring fresh perspectives to their centre, which can enrich the learning environment, fostering creativity and curiosity among the children and even the staff. Through seeing how a variety of centres operate, observing which activities thrive or flounder, and recognising the best way to manage challenging children, casual early learning educators can bring this wisdom into their teaching.

Stand Out when Applying for Jobs

By working as a casual educator early in your career, you can use the experience you gained in future job applications and interviews. It is ideal for educators to be able to use specific examples of challenges faced and problems solved when interviewing for a role. Through casual work, your experience will enable you to stand out as an educator and showcase your versatility and ability to thrive in different environments. This even has the potential to boost you above an award rate if your new employer offers this. 

Empowering your Journey as a Casual Childhood Educator

While working as a casual can positively impact your career, there are simple things you can do to make this process even more beneficial. These straightforward processes can maximise your career potential and allow you to find success in your field.

Show Great Etiquette

Early childhood educator etiquette is important in building the right image for yourself and being invited back to the centres as a casual. The main components of etiquette involve demonstrating your work ethic by being punctual, wearing appropriate attire, and presenting a positive attitude. When casual educators practise good etiquette the rapport between the centre and the educator is strengthened, allowing for a positive relationship.

Accepting Constructive Criticism

When you are early in your career, limited experience can sometimes lead to mistakes or inefficient problem-solving. Learning to accept constructive criticism from your superiors in these instances is an incredible skill that will set you in good stead for your career and life. There is no one way to do a task, and if you work across centres you will find that many people have mixed opinions about how to complete the same job. These conflicting opinions can be frustrating and confusing, but accepting corrections from each relevant party can help shape you into a better communicator and educator.

Communicate Clearly

Communication is a fundamental skill for early childhood educators and it is even more critical for casual educators at the beginning of their careers. Being able to ask for help when needed is crucial to the functioning of a childcare centre where everyone is busy and on-task. Recognising that you require help, whether it is resolving issues with a child or troubleshooting separate challenges, is a valuable skill in the early stages of your career. The inverse of this is sharing ideas when they are relevant. This is an incredible communication trait that rockstar educators have. Whether you have bright ideas because you are new to the industry or because you have worked across centres, your suggestions for activities or functions can help to keep perspectives fresh. 

Develop Your Career as a Casual Educator

The role of a casual educator is not just a stepping stone; it is a crucial foundation of early career development. As a casual early childhood educator, the exposure to a range of centres, environments, and mentors helps to develop a versatile skill set. Casual childcare recruitment app Z Staffing is partnered with Foundation Education, providing a very real opportunity to work as a casual amongst leading childcare brands. If you are currently studying and have done at least 25 hours of work placement, Z allows you to find shifts in real-time, starting your early childhood career in the best possible way. Contact Z Staffing today to find out how to start working casually in early childhood education.