Nic Mcfarlane with her four daughters

Sometimes, we choose our career path. Sometimes, it chooses us. Perhaps why it’s referred to as ‘a calling...

The latter rings true for Nic Macfarlane. A mother of four who recently completed a CHC50121 Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE Gippsland, Nic (pictured above with her four daughters Caitlin, Hayley, Sarah and Tamikah) believes she’s found her career calling.

Nic’s story

In July 2020 I was made redundant from my fulltime role as a Customer Liaison Assistant which I had been in for six and a half years. We were at the start of a global pandemic and if I’m honest, it felt like I had failed myself and my family.

In my role, all my knowledge and skills were taught and learnt on the job and I obtained no actual qualification. My anxiety levels were high and at this point in time. I told myself it was time to take a step back and have 12 months off and look after my mental health and be present for my family, my husband and four daughters.

At first, I looked at jobs that would be suitable for my family and ones that also require little qualifications. I do hold an Advanced Diploma in Beauty Therapy but didn’t have a desire to re-entre this industry after retiring from it after 14 years of service.

I wanted something to keep me occupied and busy while my girls were at school and to make a positive difference in children’s lives. Having previously home schooled my girls during COVID lockdowns I gained a whole new perspective of early childhood and it made me gain a whole new level of appreciation for those who work with children.

This was the time I chose to study early childhood; to impact the learning of children in every way possible, to nurture and to care reap the rewards along the way.

Early childhood is a very busy time for children in which they develop who they are as well as reach their developmental milestones for their individual capabilities.

Personally, working in the early childhood and education sector is a way to achieve and provide the highest level and quality of childcare utilising my professional skills and knowledge. It is important to me that children will achieve and strive for their own personal development in a nurturing and caring environment… where they feel safe, secure, and supported.

Now, after 16 months in my role as an Early Childhood Educator with the Latrobe City Council I have been offered a promotion, which will take shape in 2023. As they say, ‘hard work pays off’, and that it certainly does.

Is a career in childcare for you?

If you think the vocational voice of early childhood is calling you, then you should consider answering for a variety of reasons.

Here are some more motives to choose studying childcare with TAFE Gippsland:

  1. A healthy employment outlook

    The Australian Industry and Skills Committee has projected that the sector expects to experience strong growth over the next five years, with employability to increase by nearly 142,100 by 2026.

  2. You play a crucial role in shaping young lives

    Early childhood is one of the most crucial periods in a child’s life. Everything you do can influence the type of adolescent and adult they turn into. You’re shaping young lives – very few professions can claim to be as impactful and meaningful as that.

  3. Work in a stimulating, rewarding and creative environment

    It’s a huge responsibility but also one of the most rewarding jobs! Throughout your career, you’ll help hundreds of children develop crucial early learning skills to become well-rounded individuals.

  4. Set yourself apart with real-world experience and knowledge

    Our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care course will prepare you for higher-level roles in the sector where you supervise other staff and volunteers. You’ll learn how to plan and implement educational programs in accordance with current legislation and requirements, while watching children blossom into socially intelligent beings.

  5. Select from multiple career opportunities or pathways to further study

Taking your career further could mean completing a Bachelor of Early Childhood, with a university provider, to move into the teaching sector. We will work with you to prepare for this step if it’s something you choose to do later on.

Learn more about our Diploma of Early Childhood and Care.