4 Tips to Land an Early Childhood Education Role at a Daycare

You love interacting with little ones, dream of working with children and want to turn that playful passion into career purpose. While you may not have any formal training in early childhood education or know what early childhood educators and assistants even do really, your desire and drive really can be enough to launch you down this exciting and fulfilling career path. We all started right where you are and just needed to learn the steps to land that first position. A daycare is a wonderful place to begin as an early childhood education assistant and little to no experience is required to join a team that will teach you the ropes and help pave the way for your future success.

Read on for expert insights on exactly what you need to know.

How to Get an Early Childhood Education Job at a Daycare, Without Experience

1. Earn a Diploma to Open Doors

The first step is researching the program that is the best fit for you, has a comprehensive curriculum, includes hands-on, practical training in a simulated environment and a practicum offsite with potential employers. Ideally, you want industry-expert instructors and to learn in small-sized classes, in a college that is student centred. At Anderson College, we have two pathways for those interested in early childhood care and education.

Early Childcare Assistant Diploma

The Role: An early childhood educator assistant, works closely with children, parents, child educators, and other childcare providers. Assisting and participating in the day-to-day operations of a childcare centre, you will contribute to a nurturing environment in which young children can thrive.

Anderson’s ECA Program: 1000 hours, including 325 hours of practicum with on-the-job training, offsite with potential employers. Our ECA diploma program is designed to equip childcare workers with the essential knowledge, skills, and experience to provide positive and professional interactions with parents, guardians, team members, and children. It includes two practicum sessions: one with infants and one with toddlers where students can incorporate classroom theory into real-work situations.

Benefit: This program is your launching off point, providing you with a solid foundation in childcare studies and practical knowledge. From here you can enter into the field feeling confident in your skills and look to applying what you’ve learned to gain further experience.

Early Childhood Education Diploma

The Role: Through work and play ECEs provide children with a rich learning experience that promotes their emotional, social, and cognitive development. In addition to offering care and support, ECEs plan and implement inclusive programming to support children’s development by designing healthy, safe, and inclusive early learning environments, as well as building positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and communities.

Anderson’s ECE Program: Our ECE diploma program is 1762.5 hours, including 1200 instructional hours and 562.5 hours of practicum in three distinct placements to enrich students’ practical experience and cultivate their ability to work effectively with a diverse range of age groups, including infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Courses cover the principles and practices of early childhood education, child development, and effective communication.

Anderson’s Early Childhood Education Diploma Program has been approved by the College of Early Childhood Educators for a period of two years (2024-2026) for the purpose of meeting the education requirement for registration.

Benefit: This comprehensive ECE program allows students to expand their knowledge and skills and engage in both a supportive role as well as a design and leadership role, as they continually gain experience on the job.

To learn more about these two positions, you can read our popular blog post “Early Childcare, Assistant or Educator – The Differences – to Find Your Best Fit.”

2. Gain Hands-On Experience

Whether you are engaged in a practicum for your early childcare education program or look to volunteering to gain practical experience, the best way to showcase your passion and demonstrate your drive, is by connecting with children and learning on the job with experienced professionals.

Volunteering, perhaps at a summer camp, an after-school program or as a tutor, demonstrates that you are dependable, and can work with children and others effectively over time. You can work alongside children of different ages and abilities, and in this, learn if this is a field you will be passionate about in the short and the long run.

Anderson’s programs – ECA, with 325 hours of practicum taking place in two sessions, one with infants and one with toddlers and ECE program, with 562.5 hours over three placements with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children – ensure students get the chance to apply their skills with children of various ages in various environments. This is how you become comfortable and confident in your abilities, and this lays the foundation for success, for you, the children, parents and the teams you work with.

3. Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Even if you have only taken on babysitting jobs from time to time, helped to raise your younger siblings, or even worked in a grocery store serving customers, every job you have ever had, has offered you skills that can apply to your career ahead. From communication, organizational and time management skills to your educational background and commitment to learning new things, all these play a factor when applying for a position. Skills can be taught, enthusiasm and determination cannot. Show your passion and desire to learn and that alone can open doors, either for a position, or for a training opportunity.

4. Connect and Network

Get to know those in the childcare industry. Talk to teachers and instructors of childcare programs. Conduct informational interviews with those who run daycares in your community or after-school programs. Asking questions about their jobs and the educational route they took to get there, allows you to learn, glean insight and gain perspective. And the more people in the field you come to know, the more contacts you will have, and this may lead to volunteer opportunities or even employment.
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Start with exactly the skills you have, with the passion you have for children and making a difference in their lives, and just begin. You need not have a resume overflowing with relevant experience. Simply learning to position the transferable skills you do have and the courses and learning you have engaged in, alongside your obvious enthusiasm and determination, can give you the edge you need. And if you decide on an Anderson College program, just know that our Career Services team offer practical assistance and support to help you connect and land that job … for as long as needed – for life – for our graduates.

If you’re still exploring whether this field is a fit, why not take the “Anderson College Childhood Education Career Training Readiness Quiz”?

But when you’re ready to launch your Early Childhood Education career, we’re here to help you navigate every step along the way. Book a virtual appointment with our admissions team today!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Early Childcare Assistant – Child Care Assistant Courses at Anderson College
• Early Childhood Education – Anderson College diploma program
• Top 7 Qualities You Need to Succeed as an ECA
• 6 Career Opportunities for ECA Grads
• 7 Powerful Reason to Become an Early Childhood Educator, Now!