Diverse Careers In Early Childhood Education And Care

A career in early childhood can be exciting, diverse and rewarding. For more than 15 years, Janine Johnston has worked as an early childhood educator, team leader and centre manager in a range of long day care and family day care settings. She joined the profession after realising she wanted to make a difference in lives of children through early childhood education. Janine said, “A career in early childhood education and care is a career committed to making a difference. Every day is truly different and every day is an opportunity to support children to build foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.”

Janine’s passion eventually led her to a career in teaching. After completing a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Janine taught units in the Certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care across a range of TAFE and private providers. She loved sharing her experience, knowledge and being able to shape the next generation of future early childhood educators. 

As a teacher, Janine emphasizes the importance of play, legislation, theories of child development and the National Quality Framework. She said, “It is an amazing feeling to watch students take away a true passion for the early childhood sector and a deep understanding of the importance of their role in developing our next generation.”

Janine is currently the Coordinator of Early Childhood Education and Care at Box Hill Institute. She leads a dedicated and experienced teaching team who bring the course to life by sharing their knowledge, skills and real life stories of working in early childhood. Janine enjoys developing an environment that enables teachers and industry partners to support students to graduate from Box Hill Institute with the skills, confidence and competency to excel in the community.

With the Victorian Government’s Free TAFE program, the roll out of universal three-year-old kindergarten in Victoria and the additional educators required to support these programs, Janine believes now is the best time to start a career in sector. She said, “There are just so many rewarding opportunities, study options and career paths available for those with a passion and qualification in early childhood education and care.”