A move to deliver child care training out of the classroom and in child care centres is delivering positive results for Charles Darwin University (CDU) Alice Springs, industry and students.
CDU vocational and technical education (VTE) child care lecturers Heather Wilson and Sharon Spencer started the program after responding to the needs of community child care directors and managers.
‘The new initiative means four or five of the child care centres’ staff members stay at work during the evenings, when they would normally attend class on campus at CDU,’ Sharon said.
Heather said the reception from child care centres has been positive and other students benefit from the opportunity to see a day care centre in action.
‘Our working students take pride what they do and love to show others their achievements,’ she said. ‘At the same time, we can include on-the-job assignments which show a real test of their capabilities.’
Janice Haynes, manager of YMCA Childcare said she is supportive of industry based training.
‘I think it is better for the students because they are on the job and you get to see what they are doing,’ she said. ‘Also, by the students experiencing different child care centres through their studies, they can see how different centres work.’
The students are completing their certificate III and diplomas in children’s services.