New Requirements For School Based Childcare Traineeships In NSW

On 28 August, we provided information in the article "New Childcare Traineeship Requirements For Services In NSW" regarding new requirements to Children's Services Traineeships for services employing Cert 3 or Diploma Trainees. We have received clarification from the NSW Department of Industry, Apprenticeships and Traineeships Unit that these changes only apply to School-Based Traineeships only.

According to the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, the requirements for school-based trainees currently employed in a service as a Cert 3 or Diploma trainee are as follows:

Pre-employment

The potential school-based trainee is interviewed by school, registered training organisation and Training Services NSW personnel prior to undertaking the pathway to ensure the student understands clearly the work involved, the time commitment required, the lack of Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) outcome and the suitability of the student to the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.

• family or guardian consent is gained after full and clear sharing of the same information
• employment must be in a licensed environment
• the employer is made aware of their responsibilities and the special requirements of employing a school-based trainee. There must be a commitment from the employer to provide appropriate on the job training and supervision
• the potential school-based trainee is interviewed by the potential employer to ensure all employment processes, expectations and relationships are clearly understood and met and that the trainee will work effectively with the team. 

In the workplace, the School-Based Trainee:

• is not employed as primary contact staff member
• may be included in any staff to child ratio calculation, refer to "Children (Education and Care Services) Supplementary Provisions Regulation 2012 Part 52(3)".
• is not left alone with children at any time
• is not left to close up the facility or be responsible for opening the centre
• is not to undertake duties outside those directly related to working with children. For example, the trainee is not to undertake another kitchen hand, clerical or general cleaning duties
• is to be supervised by an appropriate Children's Services worker at all times. The trainee must work to an appropriately qualified mentor/supervisor on site at all times they are in the workplace.
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or earlier equivalent qualification)is the minimum mentor or supervisor qualification
  is not to be left alone and/or unsupervised whilst caring for children

Employment, the School-Based Trainee

The employer is required to have a risk management policy and procedures guideline in place for staff which includes for staff under 18 years of age.
All parties must cooperate to ensure that the trainee can achieve all competencies required by the traineeship. Where employment is being considered in a preschool or similar service where 0-2-year-olds are not in attendance, the school-based trainee will be required to work at more than one workplace to ensure time is spent with 0-2 year olds to gain the relevant experience for the unit of competency CHCCN305A Provide care for babies which is essential in the NSW Early Childhood Education and Care jurisdiction and is required to meet the outcome of the qualification.

Monitoring

The school-based traineeship is to be monitored by Training Services NSW.

• Supervision and on-the-job training for all Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) trainees
• All people employed in early childhood environments have great responsibility for infants and children from six weeks to school age. The Community Services and Health ITAB advise that to work in Early Childhood Education and Care, persons must be 16 years or over and meet all the legislated requirements which include the Working with Children Check.
• Young people under the age of 18 years working in child-related employment are exempt from the requirement for a Working With Children Check (WWCC). However, once they turn 18, people working with children (including trainees and students undertaking a work placement) must have a WWCC clearance number. Individuals seeking child-related employment can apply for a WWCC online for any employee/trainee/student aged 17 years 9 months or older.

Please make sure, if you are employing a school-based trainee at your service, to understand the new requirements and make the necessary updates and changes if required in order to abide by the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

For more information: Community Services - Traineeships

Reference:
School Base Traineeships Approval Requirements Early Childhood Education and Care, Training Services NSW, NSW Department Of Industry