Working at an ABC centre?

[Acria]

Sorry if this is in the wrong area ladies, but I feel I'm in dire need! I did post in the 'work' section of the general forums first, but my interview is tomorrow morning and I don't think many people visit that section just yet.

Tomorrow at 9:30am I have an interview with one of the local ABC centres for a fulltime position as an unqualified assistant. I have a Bachelor of Education (Primary), but not the early childhood part yet, which I am willing, and happy, to do in the future. It would be great if anyone who's worked in this industry before could give me any ideas about what qualities are important, what people are looking for, and any 'inside info' on the industry (doesn't feel right calling it an industry when it;s caring for children!), or the ABC centres.

Thanks so much

Lisa xx

[megs11]

Sorry cant give you any info but good luck, you have a Bach of Ed, that is more than some people in Childcare!! ABC are a big company arn't they? I think you will be GREAT!! So I will be cheering for you!! GOODLUCK!!!!!

[westy]

Goodluck for tomorrow Lisa.

My two boys go to ABC but up in QLD....They seemed to love it and everyone is so friendly too.

[Monchika]

Hi Lisa,

I am a director of an ABC Centre (currently on Mat Leave). Am happy to answer any questions that you have. Good Luck for the interview

[Monchika]

Hi Lisa,

How did your interview go?

[westy]

Lisa, how did the interview go?

[Acria]

I think it went pretty well. The Director gave me a sheet with some question to write answers to when I arrived, and said we'd discuss them when I was done. So I filled them in, let her know, and she came and sat down and read through them, after checking and photcopying my ID. She said 'This is great', and then told me a lot about the centre, etc. We chatted about educational theories and so on, and why we each love working with kids, and then it was over really.

I was a little surprised, and disappointed because I ran out of writing space, and ona couple of questions, wrote just a name or something, as the situation I was asked to describe would have taken pages to write, so I thought I'd just tell her about it. Hoping that doesn't reflect badly.

She seemed really friendly, we got along well and I was there for about an hour (including writing time), the lack of verbal questions had just surprised me. Though it was good, meant I got to really think about my answers. She said if I don't get the position I've applied for (which I have a feeling I won't - I think she thinks I'm overqualified), she's putting me on the casual list, as there's 8 centres in town and she says I'd get heaps of work.

That's really good of her, and it means I could keep up my casual work at a school I love as well..was just really hoping for something permanant. I want the continuity with the same group of kids, iykwim. Plus the benefits of being permanent are pretty good too Quite sick of bieng a casual worker.

Lisa xx

[meow]

TBH I wouldn't work at an ABC centre. That's because the style of company & education contradicts my personal philosophy of child care and not only would I not want to work there but I know it wouldn't look good on my resume for the other sort of places I want to work.

That said, they are a huge company and if it suits you, then go for it cause you would never need to look anywhere else again.

[Acria]

I really think it would only look 'bad' on my resume if the people reading it made generalisations and assumed that the centre must be bad because of the company it belongs to, rather than actually finding out about the centre individually.

Lisa xx

[westy]

Can i ask .......why would it look bad on your resume ??

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i think you are way too qualified for an assistant postion, which basically involves cleaning, and setting up stuff. but childcare centres are desperate for staff (due to crappy wages, conditions, sickness etc) so i would bet that you would get the job. i reckon you will find it unfulfilling, considering you are used to taking charge and running a classroom. you could even get a group leaders position if you really wanted to with that qualification, you would probably have to do some sort of study though.
it wont look bad on your resume, because you could outline in an interview things that you didnt like about an ABC centre (or other centre) and how you could turn that into a positive in the new centre... etc.