MY JOURNEY FROM YEAR 10 TO COMPLETING MY CERTIFICATE III IN EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES

1. Starting the Journey  

Before starting my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, I originally wanted to study Community Services. However, the Community Services class was not running that year, so I was asked if I would like to try Early Childhood Education and Care instead. At first, I thought I would hate childcare and I was not sure if it was something I would enjoy. I decided to give it a try because I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn something new while still at school. I started the course in Year 10, and completed it while doing the VCE VM, and looking back, I am really glad that I gave it a chance. I never expected that choosing childcare would lead me to a career that I genuinely love.  

2. The Experience  

Balancing school, my Certificate III and work was sometimes challenging, but it taught me how to manage my time and responsibilities. My favourite part of the course was definitely the placements. I loved the day care I was placed at and really enjoyed spending time with the children, helping them learn and being involved in their everyday activities. My placement gave me the opportunity to experience what working in early childhood was actually like instead of only learning about it in the classroom. I enjoyed it so much that I was eventually offered a school-based traineeship at the centre. This was a really exciting opportunity because I was able to continue learning while also gaining real workplace experience.  

3. What I Learned  

Throughout my Certificate III, I developed many skills that I know will be useful in the future. I became more confident, independent and responsible, and I learned how important communication and teamwork are in a professional workplace. I also learned how to work with young children in a safe, respectful and supportive way. Working in childcare taught me that every child is different and that educators need to be patient, caring and understanding. The experience also helped me become more comfortable communicating with other educators, families, and children. My workplace experience taught me things that I could not have learned just from a textbook, and it helped me understand what it is really like to work in early childhood education.  

4. Looking Back  

Now that I have completed my Certificate III, I feel proud of how far I have come since Year 10. Since I can remember, I have always hated school and always struggled. This pathway has helped me stay at school and complete year 12. I am most proud that I was able to complete my qualification while still at school and gain valuable experience in the industry at the same time. I am also proud of myself for being willing to try something that I originally did not think I would enjoy. I am so glad that I picked VCE VM because it gave me the chance to complete my certificate, gain workplace experience and discover a career that I love.  

5. What’s Next?  

Completing my Certificate III has given me a strong starting point for my future career in early childhood education and care. I would like to continue working in the childcare industry and keep developing my skills and experience. The qualification has helped me understand that early childhood education is something I can see myself doing as a career. In the future, I may also consider continuing my studies and completing further qualifications so I can take on more responsibilities in the industry. If I could give advice to a Year 9 or Year 10 student thinking about starting a VET course, I would tell them to give it a chance, even if they are unsure at first.   

Sascha

Year 12 Student