Early Childhood Trainee

**Position Number**
- 58/24

**Location**
- ECTARC Wallaroo Education and Care Service

**Status**
- Full time, Fixed term - 18 month contract

**Closing Date**
- 13/07/2025

**About the Service**
- ECTARC Wallaroo is a 44-place service providing early childhood education and care for children from birth to school age in Shellharbour on the traditional land of the Dharawal peoples. _
- We are within walking distance of Nazareth Primary School, Shellharbour Library, local shopping centre and Elanora Nursing Home, creating many opportunities for our children to get involved with our local community. _
- Wallaroo provides an inclusive environment that welcomes all children and their families. We ensure the program meets the developmental needs of each child, with a holistic approach ensuring that all children are truly integrated into our program. We welcome our connections with families and external agencies and use their knowledge and skills to inform our program and practice._
- Wallaroo uses the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to shape our educational program and practice. We believe children learn best through play so we draw on children’s interests to plan experiences to scaffold their learning. As we value the importance of early language and literacy development, we follow the Australian Abecedarian Approach (3A), which uses everyday routines to enrich our caregiving practices to develop children’s language. This 3A approach also places an emphasis on simple learning games and conversational reading techniques aimed at stretching children’s language. We have links to Shellharbour’s Paint the Town REaD initiative and have our own children’s library available to families. Social and emotional development is fostered through PALS (a social skills program where children role play various scenarios from how to say hello to ‘coping with stressful situations) and another program developed through our close connection to Wollongong University, PRSIST. This program provides various games to help children further develop their behavioural, social & emotional self-regulation skills._

**About the Role**

ECTARC Wallaroo are currently seeking motivated and enthusiastic trainees who is looking to start their career in early childhood education. During the 18-month traineeship you will gain valuable knowledge and experience whilst working and studying alongside our qualified and supportive educators to complete your Certificate III in Early Education and Care.

Originally known as Illawarra Area Child Care (IACC) our organisation was incorporated in October 1985 and have a proud history of providing optimum education and training services.

ECTARC is proudly a not-for-profit organisation, that successfully manages education and care services in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Our specialist early childhood knowledge, extensive experience and commitment to early education and care for children is why we are a respected leader in the sector. We live by our vision of enriching the futures for the children, families, students and our communities.

We have a professional, experienced leadership team at our head office who support and resource our ECTARC services to strengthen quality learning and education programs. ECTARC is committed to providing optimum work environments for staff with ongoing professional development opportunities.

ECTARC is committed to being a child safe organisation. We understand that the safety and wellbeing of all children is paramount, we aim to provide environments where all children feel safe and are safe. ECTARC has policies and systems to protect children, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously.

At ECTARC our vision for reconciliation is to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and rights promoting an organisational culture of respect, equality, equity, and cultural safety. We envisage an Australia where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in early childhood education and training to achieve best educational outcomes. Through our work with young children, families, students, and the community we hope to contribute to an Australian society that proudly recognises, celebrates and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

**Essential Criteria**:

- Age 18 years or over
- A genuine interest in working with young children
- A commitment to undertaking the practical and theoretical components of the program
- A current Working with Children Check clearance number (or be willing to obtain)

**Desirable Criteria**:

- Current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID012 - Provide emergency First Aid in an education and care setting)

**Next Steps**

At ECTARC we pay highly competitive salaries above the award rate in accordance with the policies and procedures of ECTARC including:

- Above award wages
- 50% discount on childcare fees for staff’s children enrolled in