Certificate III Traineeship – Early Childhood Education and Care

Lapstone Preschool | Lapstone, Blue Mountains

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

Start a career that makes a difference.

Looking for a career where you can learn, grow and make a real impact every day?

Connect Children and Families is offering an exciting opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care while gaining valuable, hands-on experience at Lapstone Preschool.

Whether you’re a school leaver, changing careers, returning to the workforce, or simply passionate about working with children, this traineeship is the perfect place to begin.

No previous experience is required; we’ll provide the training, mentoring and support you need to succeed.

About Us

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

Lapstone Preschool is a 36-place centre providing high-quality early childhood education for children aged 3-6 years. Operating for more than 50 years, the preschool fosters children’s creativity, confidence and sense of belonging.

Set within beautiful bushland at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the preschool features a spacious main classroom, a rich loose-parts environment and a dedicated Bush Kinder Base Camp. It offers a nurturing and inclusive space where every child can thrive.

About the Role

As a trainee,



you’ll work alongside experienced educators while completing your nationally recognised Certificate III qualification over the 18-month fixed-term traineeship.

You’ll gain practical experience contributing to a child-led program grounded in the Circle of Security model, including:

- Supporting children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
- Creating engaging, play-based learning experiences
- Building respectful partnerships with children and families
- Participating in observations, programming and curriculum planning
- Supporting inclusive practices and responding to individual learning needs

You’ll be supported throughout your traineeship by experienced educators, dedicated Practice Mentors and close guidance from the Educational Leader.

About You

No previous early childhood experience is required. We’re looking for someone who:

- Is passionate about working with children aged 3-6 years
- Has a positive attitude and a genuine willingness to learn
- Enjoys collaborating as part of a supportive team
- Communicates well and can build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues
- Is reliable, motivated and committed to completing the Certificate III qualification and 18-month traineeship

Why Join Connect?

When you join Connect,



you’re joining an organisation that genuinely invests in its people.

We offer:

- Earn while you learn with paid, on-the-job training
- Ongoing mentoring and support throughout your traineeship
- Career development and career progression opportunities
- Salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
- Additional paid wellbeing leave
- Paid lunch breaks
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- A supportive, inclusive and values-driven workplace
- The opportunity to build a meaningful career making a difference in children’s lives

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

Our Values

Everything we do is guided by our values:

We tune in. We connect. We are kind.

These values shape how we work together, support our communities and help children thrive.

Child Safety & 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.

Apply Today

If you’re ready to begin a rewarding career in early childhood education at Lapstone Preschool, we’d love to hear from you.

Join a team where you’ll be supported to learn, grow and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

📌 Early Childhood Cert III Traineeship (Lapstone)
🏢 Connect Child and Family Services
📍 Lapstone