Early Childhood Trainee

Certificate III Traineeship – Early Childhood Education

Hazelwood Early Childhood Centre | Hazelbrook, Blue Mountains

Full-time | 18-Month Traineeship | Earn While You Learn

Start your career where the first three years matter most.

Are you passionate about helping babies and toddlers learn, grow and thrive?

Connect Children and Families is offering an exciting opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care while gaining hands-on experience in our specialised Birth-3 years program at Hazelwood Early Childhood Centre.

Whether you’re a school leaver, looking for a career change, returning to the workforce, or simply passionate about working with young children, we’ll provide the training, mentoring and support you need to build a rewarding career.

No previous experience is required just a genuine passion for learning and making a difference.

About Hazelwood Early Childhood Centre

Hazelwood Early Childhood Centre is part of Connect Children and Families, a not-for-profit organisation supporting children, families and communities across the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Western Sydney.

Hazelwood is a unique early learning service specialising exclusively in education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years, with children transitioning to Connect’s Possum Early Childhood Centre for their preschool years.

Our educators create warm, respectful and nurturing environments where babies and toddlers develop secure relationships, explore their world with confidence and build the foundations for lifelong learning.

A Research-Informed Approach

At Hazelwood, you’ll be learning from experienced educators who are passionate about infant and toddler education.

Our practice is informed by evidence-based approaches, including:

• Circle of Security™ Classroom
• BrainSET® learning environments
• The Family Partnership Model

We’re also involved in practitioner research to develop an innovative pedagogy specifically designed for children from birth to three years making Hazelwood an inspiring place to begin your career.

About the Traineeship

As a trainee, you’ll work alongside experienced educators while completing your nationally recognised Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

You’ll learn how to:

• Support the learning and development of infants and toddlers
• Build secure, responsive relationships with children and families
• Create engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences
• Observe children’s development and contribute to individual learning
• Foster safe, nurturing and inclusive environments
• Work collaboratively as part of a professional early childhood team

Throughout your traineeship, you’ll receive ongoing mentoring, practical support and guidance to help you succeed.

Many of our trainees continue their careers with Connect in permanent educator roles and progress to further qualifications.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in working with babies and toddlers
• Is caring, patient and enthusiastic
• Enjoys learning and working as part of a team
• Communicates positively with children, families and colleagues
• Is reliable, motivated and committed to completing their studies

Why Join Connect?

When you join Connect, you’re joining an organisation that values its people and invests in their future.

We offer:

• 15% above the Award rate
• Earn while you learn with paid on-the-job training
• Ongoing mentoring from experienced educators and Practice Mentors
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Salary packaging to maximise your take-home pay
• Additional paid wellbeing leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• A supportive, collaborative and values-driven workplace
• The opportunity to build a meaningful career making a difference every day

Our Values

Everything we do is guided by our values:

We tune in. We connect. We are kind.

These values shape how we support one another, build strong relationships with families and create the best possible outcomes for children.

Our Commitment to Child Safety and Inclusion

Connect Children and Families is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every child. We are proud to be a Child Safe organisation and have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people living with disability.

Ready to start your career with purpose?

If you’re looking for more than just a job and want to build a rewarding career supporting children during the most important years of their development, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and begin your journey towards becoming a qualified Early Childhood Educator with Connect Children and Families.