Students learn best from trainers who understand their learning journeys and fully “know” the work environments they are working in. With this is mind all AECC trainers have a rich history of working in the early childhood sector. When selecting staff the core selection criteria for AECC is their experience with and attitude to children in a care environment. We do not want trainers who are looking for a way to escape the child care floor but rather the person who wants to share what they know and expand their knowledge and work with children.
All our trainers have current experience within the sector and have all worked within the National Regulations, Standards, Framework and Regulatory requirements. They stay up to date with regular work practice and links to local early childhood services, they are talented and experienced educators and leaders, many of whom have been with us for over 10 years.
This means our trainers are very comfortable in services and see visits to workplaces as an opportunity to reconnect with children while they support their students learning. You will see our trainers working alongside their students helping, modelling, sharing their years of experience to support the individual needs of each student.
Contact with trainers
As our program is primarily a “distance program” students are given training programs to support their learning journey and are therefore not expected to attend face to face classes. This means students can study in their own time and comfortable surroundings BUT it does not mean they do not need a trainer. Trainers supplement the learning materials and training program with extra resources and support. Ensuring regular contact with their trainer which in this modern world is best completed over the phone or skype is key to a students success.
We believe contact for reflection, discussion and introduction of ideas and research is the key to success in learning, to support this the College provides the following supports:
- Phone – we recommend students contact their trainer every time, they have study time during work hours. Many employers provide study time and this regular contact means study is targeted and thereby more meaningful. AECC ensures a trainer is always available in the office for support between 8.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday
- Regular planned visits– for added training discussions, to check on work completed, observation of skill development. Visits also allow for regular feedback discussions and reporting on progress to student, service manager and lead educators. While visits and thereby face to face contact is invaluable it cannot replace the need for more regular contact. We cannot visit daily or even weekly, but students can talk to a trainer every day.
- Email/ Texts are generally responded very quickly our commitment is within 24 hours Monday to Friday. Students are encouraged to send drafts of their work so support can be provided as they work through tasks.
- Skype is an increasingly valuable resource, especially with high needs students
