Are you looking for a stable childcare teaching role?
As a Government Early Childcare Teacher (Early Childhood Educator – Diploma) at TAFE NSW, you’ll play a key role in shaping young children’s learning and development in a supportive, well-resourced environment.
Early childcare roles in the state public sector can be hard to come by—local councils are usually the main employers of childcare centres—making this a unique opportunity. TAFE NSW operate 15 different childcare centres around the state.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for insider tips and context. Now, let’s dive into everything you need to know—from applying for a TAFE NSW role to crafting a standout cover letter.
Table of Contents
Rewarding Early Childhood Educator Opportunities at TAFE NSW
Early Childcare Teacher Salary and Job Details
| Position Title | Government Early Childcare Teacher (Early Childhood Educator – Diploma) |
| Organisation/Entity | TAFE NSW |
| Job Location | Statewide (15 Children’s Centres: Albury, Wagga Wagga, Wetherill Park, and more) |
| Work Type | Permanent & Temporary, Full-time & Part-time |
| Base Pay | $58,929 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading |
| Closing Date | 09/03/2025 (11:55 PM) |
About this Government Early Childcare Teacher Role with TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW is a leading NSW Public Sector agency that supports a network of Children’s Centres committed to providing high-quality, inclusive early childhood programs. In each centre, an Early Childhood Educator with a Diploma in Early Childhood works collaboratively with colleagues, families, and the broader community to create a nurturing and engaging learning environment.
In this role, you’ll leverage play-based learning philosophies and the National Quality Framework to inspire and support children’s development. By joining TAFE NSW, you’ll also become part of a reputable agency within the NSW Public Sector, which prioritises professional growth, employee well-being, and community impact.
If you are looking for a stable government role while staying in the childcare sector – this is the opportunity for you.
Challenges for Government Early Childcare Teacher
Working as a Government Early Childcare Teacher means balancing creativity with structured guidelines:
- Meeting Educational Standards: The National Quality Framework (NQF) and Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) guide your curriculum development, requiring you to stay updated on best practices in early childhood education.
- Ensuring Child Protection: Strict mandatory reporting and Child Protection protocols are in place, meaning you need to be vigilant and proactive in keeping children safe.
- Managing Administrative Tasks: From documentation to ACECQA compliance, a portion of your role involves vital behind-the-scenes work that underpins quality childcare.
Why This Is A Great Opportunity for Early Childcare Teachers
This is a unique opportunity to land job security for childcare qualified candidates.
- State-Government Role: In this role you’ll get exposed not only to all of the admin tasks that normally come with a childcare centre, but you will also become familiar with state government processes. This can set you up to explore future roles if you look to move on from childcare in future.
- Talent Pool Benefits: This is a bulk recruitment round looking to create a pool of pre-qualified candidates who can fill currently vacant positions as well as future gaps when they arise around the state.
- Multiple Vacancies: there are currently five vacancies available at centres in Albury, Wagga Wagga, and Wetherill Park. This includes a mix of both ongoing, temporary, full-time and part-time opportunities.
- Multiple Locations: With 15 Children’s Centres across the state, you can choose a site that best suits your lifestyle—whether that’s in a regional setting like Albury or Wagga Wagga, or closer to Sydney’s bustling centre.
- Public Sector Career: With this opportunity you don’t have to choose between a career in childcare or a career in the public sector.
- Unique Perks: Enjoy a refreshing four-week Christmas shutdown every year, plus extra benefits like Fitness Passport, paid renewals for First Aid and CPR, and free flu vaccinations to keep you healthy and prepared.
Throughout your time at TAFE NSW, you’ll be encouraged to shape your own professional journey with ample support and mentorship, making this a well-rounded role for both new and experienced childcare workers.
Government Early Childcare Teacher Application Requirements
How To Apply
To apply for this role, you will need to prepare some documents and submit them online. You will need:
- Current Resume
- Certified copies of your qualification transcripts (PDF)
This job ad doesn’t require you to write a cover letter – but you should always write a cover letter for government roles. This can be done efficiently and is your best opportunity to promote yourself to the hiring panel.
There are no target questions to address in this application.
Essential Role Requirements for NSW TAFE Early Childcare Teacher
In your cover letter, you need to clearly state that you meet the following essential role requirements:
- Diploma in Early Childhood (or equivalent) recognised by ACECQA.
- A current Working With Children Check and National Police Clearance.
- First Aid certification (including CPR, asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes management).
- Solid understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework and Child Protection frameworks.
You should also include additional points if you can in your cover letter:
- Hands-on involvement in childcare worker roles or early childhood teaching settings.
- Familiarity with mandatory reporting processes.
- Previous experience collaborating with diverse communities and families.
Understanding and Addressing Focus Capabilities
To truly stand out, take time to review the official role description provided by TAFE NSW, paying close attention to the listed focus capabilities. These capabilities align with the NSW Capability Framework.
The NSW Public Sector prioritises clear, demonstrable skills. That means you should highlight specific achievements related to early childhood development, National Quality Framework compliance, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Showcasing these focus capabilities in your application reassures the selection panel that you can meet the unique challenges of being a Government Early Childcare Teacher.
Application Checklist
| ✔ Review the Position Description thoroughly | |
| ✔ Update your resume with relevant childcare experience | |
| ✔ Gather certified copies of qualifications (Diploma, First Aid, etc.) | |
| ✔ Complete your Working With Children Check and National Police Clearance | |
| ✔ Write a one page cover letter using a template | |
| ✔ Get your cover letter reviewed (only $19) to boost your application | |
| ✔ Submit your application before 11:55 PM on 09/03/2025 |
Candidate Profile
Meet Sarah, a newly qualified Early Childhood Educator with a Diploma in Early Childhood. She has previous hands-on experience working in a busy council run childcare centre in Western Sydney and is currently employed as a casual teaching assistant. Now that she has completed her diploma, she is looking for a stable full-time role as an Early Childhood Educator.
Example Cover Letter For Early Childhood Educator
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Early Childcare Teacher position at TAFE NSW.
With a newly obtained Diploma in Early Childhood and practical experience working in a busy council-run childcare centre in Western Sydney, I am eager to contribute my skills and passion for early education to your team in a full-time capacity.
Having completed my Diploma, I have also maintained all the necessary accreditations required for this role, including a current Working With Children Check, National Police Clearance, and First Aid certification (covering CPR, asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes management). My hands-on experience has deepened my understanding of both the Early Years Learning Framework and Child Protection frameworks, ensuring I can implement effective strategies to foster each child’s learning and well-being.
Throughout my time as a casual teaching assistant and during my diploma placement, I have honed my abilities to create engaging and nurturing educational environments. I would like to share a brief example that highlights my commitment and approach to designing quality learning experiences while collaborating with colleagues:
In my previous role at the council-run childcare centre, we noticed that the children needed more interactive activities focusing on developing fine motor skills and creativity. We also wanted to address each child’s safety and well-being while ensuring we met the Early Years Learning Framework guidelines.
I was tasked with developing and implementing a new series of play-based learning activities that not only engaged the children but also aligned with best practice safety standards and the centre’s daily routine.
I took the initiative to research and design a set of hands-on art and sensory play stations, complete with appropriate supervision measures and protective gear for messy activities. I collaborated closely with my fellow educators and consulted with our team leader to ensure we had the necessary resources, managed risk effectively, and integrated the activities into the centre’s overall educational plan. Throughout implementation, I worked both independently—preparing the materials and finalising lesson guidelines—and in tandem with colleagues, sharing feedback and adapting approaches to meet individual children’s needs.
These new stations quickly became a highlight of our daily program. Not only did the children show improved fine motor development and creativity, but they also gained confidence through guided exploration and social interaction. Our centre director commended the team for boosting child engagement and strengthening our commitment to delivering high-quality, safe, and enriching educational experiences.
I am excited at the prospect of contributing my proactive spirit, strong teamwork skills, and dedication to best practice in early childhood education at [Organisation Name]. My goal is to provide a supportive and nurturing environment where children can thrive, learn, and develop essential skills for the future.
Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and qualifications can align with the goals of your organisation.
Please feel free to contact me at [Phone Number] or via email at [Email Address] to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,
Sarah Johnson
How to Use the STAR structure
The STAR technique is a structured method for articulating your experiences and achievements during the application or interview process. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Situation: Provide context by describing the scenario you faced.
- Task: Clarify your specific responsibilities or goals within that scenario.
- Action: Detail the steps you took to address the situation effectively.
- Result: Explain the outcome, emphasising any measurable successes.
In the example cover letter above, a single clear STAR example gives this short cover letter a significant boost and shares with the hiring panel relevant information about the skills and experience of the candidate.
How to Prepare for a Public Sector Interview
Securing an interview for a Government Early Childcare Teacher position is a significant step forward, but preparation is key. Public sector recruitment focuses heavily on how well candidates demonstrate key capabilities aligned with the NSW Capability Framework. Here’s how you can stand out:
- Review the Focus Capabilities: Study the role description to pinpoint the behavioural indicators and examples you’ll need to address in your responses.
- Brainstorm Examples: Think of real-life situations that illustrate your skills. Reference childcare scenarios where you improved processes, supported families, or innovated play-based activities.
- Match to Indicators: Identify how your stories map to each required capability. For instance, if a capability mentions delivering results, choose an example of guiding children through a project with tangible outcomes.
- Use the STAR Method: Frame your narratives around Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This ensures a structured and memorable response.
- Practice & Use Notes: If notes are permitted, outline your stories in bullet points. If not, rehearse until you can confidently share them without prompts.
Below are three potential interview questions you might encounter:
- “How do you ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework in your daily routines?”
- “Tell us about a time you identified a child’s developmental delay or additional need—how did you address this?”
- “Describe a situation where you had to communicate a sensitive issue to a parent or guardian.”
Example of talking points (STAR): Suppose you are asked, “How do you handle behavioural challenges in the classroom?” You might briefly set the Situation of a child resisting group activities, explain the Task of maintaining a harmonious environment, outline your Actions (e.g., positive reinforcement, one-on-one engagement, structured routines), and highlight the Result (an improved learning atmosphere and enhanced child participation).
For additional guidance, feel free to download the public sector interview questions and answers workbook. It’s a comprehensive resource designed to help you develop and refine responses tailored to the NSW Public Sector context.
Get Your Application Started
If you’re excited by the idea of joining TAFE NSW as a Government Early Childcare Teacher, click here to apply today.
Remember to include a short cover letter to boost your chances of landing an interview. To get started, you can use this free public sector cover letter template.
Before submitting your application, it’s highly recommended that you get your cover letter reviewed. This is one of the easiest ways to significantly improve your odds of success, ensuring your unique strengths shine through.
