What's in a word? Defining 'professional'

A key reform of the National Quality Framework was mandating minimum professional qualifications. But apart from the skills and knowledge gained through tertiary training, what does being a ‘professional’ really mean? 

According to the Professional Standards Council, a profession is a disciplined group of individuals who adhere to ethical standards. This group positions itself as having specialised knowledge and skills, prepared to apply them in the service of others. Professionals are guided by codes of ethics and professional standards, while professionalism reflects our personal beliefs about how we conduct ourselves in a professional role. Professionalisation describes how a profession evolves and develops over time.

But what does this actually mean in practice? How can we take these formal definitions and apply them to our everyday work in early childhood education?

Mastery of knowledge, skills and expertise

The first marker of professionalism is mastery: having the knowledge, skills and expertise to do your job well. This comes from formal training, ongoing learning and experience gained through mentoring and collaboration with others.

Take a moment to think about your skills, knowledge and expertise, and then consider the following questions:

• Am I technically competent, drawing on both my training and the guidance of experienced professionals?
• Do I seek out opportunities to grow my knowledge and skills?
• Am I willing to ask for advice when needed and offer it when I’m qualified to do so?
• Do I share my expertise with less experienced colleagues to support their growth?

Mastery is the foundation of professionalism, but it’s only part of the picture. Being a professional is also about how we think, feel and act in our work.

But it takes more than mastery of skills, knowledge and expertise to be truly professional. To consider this we may need to approach being a professional in a more holistic way, as a set of characteristics or virtues combined with expertise.

How professionalism sounds 

• Accountability – you deliver on the promises you make and ensure you can do what you say you can do 
• Communication – you communicate clearly and effectively 
• Integrity – you hold yourself accountable for your thoughts, words and actions, especially when you’ve made a mistake 
• Respect – you are polite and respectful to work colleagues.

How professionalism feels 

• Professional identity – you know yourself, understand your motivations and can articulate your passions
• Emotional intelligence – you can regulate how you feel and act in a calm and professional way; you know how to respond not react 
• Objectivity – you can look at a situation objectively, recognise what’s happening and understand how it impacts everybody involved. You are aware that sometimes you need to be bigger than the situation 
• Dedication – you dedicate yourself and consider what you can do to contribute to your profession and workplace 
• Inspiration – you inspire others through your actions and words. 

How professionalism looks

• Passion – you are passionate and enthusiastic about your work and recognise that this approach can be contagious and create a positive professional culture in your service 
• Ethics – you obey the law including regulations that apply to your profession, and you do not cooperate with people who seek to act in an unethical or unlawful way 
• Behaviour – you maintain your poise when facing difficult situations, for example, if a co-worker acts in a challenging manner, you don’t resort to the same type of behaviour 
• Positive image – you project a positive image which starts with attire, but also includes body language such as eye contact and posture. A professional makes deliberate choices because they have made deliberate preparations. Supporting another’s success won’t ever dampen yours 

In essence, being a professional in early childhood education is about consistently showing up with intention, integrity, and care. It’s not just what you know, but how you use your knowledge, how you treat others, and how you contribute to a positive and ethical culture within your service.

By embracing mastery, embodying professionalism in your actions, and drawing on guiding frameworks, you not only strengthen your own practice but also uplift those around you and help shape the future of the profession.