Updating my knowledge

[sjane]

I'm so pleased I found this fabulous websit! I completed my TAFE diploma in early childhood in 2006, before they started teaching about EYLF. I was already working full time in NSW in childcare during my time of study.
In 2008 I left the childcare setting to stay home and have 3 beautiful babies of my own. 6 years on I'm heading back to the preschool setting, starting off with casual work with the hope to one day be in a permanent full time position again.
My question is where do I start with updating my knowledge for things such as EYLF I do a lot of reading online and Iv been "studying" your wonderful templates and getting a grasp of how things should flow and connect... Is this enough? Should I continue to research and become involved through my casual work or do I need to do a re fresher course... Is there such thing!
Thanks so much, I love this site, so happy to stumble across it during my reading time on EYLF.

[Lorina]

Hi,

Welcome to Aussie Childcare Network!

Thanks for the positive feedback regarding this site! I really appreciate it!

There is only so much you can read and research but the main thing is putting the EYLF into practice. Getting some hands on experience at an early childhood setting will really help you to understand and implement the EYLF. The beauty about the EYLF is that it's up to interpretation it's not a "one size fits all" approach. So what you see at one centre may be completely different to what another centre is doing. Being a casual provides you with a great opportunity to work at different centres and seeing how they do the EYLF. Take notes, write down ideas, ask questions, by doing this it will really help you to develop your own ideas and understanding of how you want to approach the EYLF for yourself when you get a room leader position in the future.

Welcome back to the industry!

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

Also just wanted to add, you mentioned you completed your Diploma in 2006. You may just want to check if it's an approved Diploma qualification which you can use or if you will need to re-do your qualification (in your case it may be only the new units). You can search for it here:

Qualifications

Let me know if you have any more questions,

,
Lorina

[sjane]

Thank you so much for your quick response, and thanks for the info regarding approved and former approved qualifications. I just checked and thankfully mine is all good!
I appreciate the time you took to respond and I look forward to working my way back into educating the preschool age, it's very exciting. I found your comments regarding EYLF and casual work very helpful and encouraging!
Thanks again

[Lorina]

I'm glad to hear that you have an approved qualification! You can now begin looking for casual roles until you're confident enough to go back into a room leader position! I hope you once again enjoy working in this industry and you meet educators who will inspire you!

I'm always here if you ever have a question or a concern...

Happy Learning!

,
Lorina