Career change to childcare (from HR). Opinion from those in childcare please!

[Panda74]

Good morning! I've been thinking about this for about a year.. I would really love to look after under 3s. I think it is such an important job. But I'm not sure I have what it takes.

I have two of my own under 3 so I have a good idea what is involved but I have to keep reminding myself that not all kids are like my kids. AND not everyone is suited to childcare no matter how much they love children. I think you need to have a LOT of energy. The best carers I have met are extroverts who are able to give and give and give. I don't know if that is me.

I am passionate about quality childcare (and I whinge about the lack of quality care here in Brisbane all the time) and I have so much fun with my kids so thought I would like to get in there and give it a go myself but.. the reaction I get when I tell people this (apart from my husband) is overwhelmingly negative. The main reason being because I have a degree (in Psychology) ..I guess people think I'll be bored? And the second being I am generally soft spoken and quite introverted and I guess people think the kids (and the parents too perhaps) will 'walk all over me'?!

So, what are peoples thoughts on the different types of personalities in child care? Do you need to be a bubbly extrovert to succeed or is there a place for more quiet, sensitive types?

[Tinks]

I think you just need to love kids.

[Kazzo]

I have just recently changed from been a vet nurse to working in childcare. I am extremely happy with my change so far although I hate the studying. One thing I realised quickly is that I have very well behaved polite girls I did find it hard at first when I was seeing behaviour or was been spoken to (by 3-5year olds) in a way that I would never allow my girls and having to let it go. I mean we do still pull them up but there is only so much you can do.

Can you find somewhere that will let you do a weeks work experience? You may need to source your own insurance though.

[fionas]

I don't work in childcare but I agree I think it takes a lot of energy and I know, personally, I would feel drained by the constant nappy changes, bottles, sleeps and trying to manage tanties.

I know you said you wanted to work with under-3s but have you thought about being a kindergarten teacher instead? I've been in sessions at my daughter's kinder and by that age, it's less about behaviour management and more about quality interaction with the children. Reading stories, doing craft etc. etc. - looks very rewarding particularly as you're the children's first teacher in effect and I think giving them a positive first experience with 'education' is absolutely priceless. I think with your Psychology background you may find that very rewarding too.

Don't get me wrong, I think childcare workers for the under-3s are vastly underpaid, vastly undervalued and they do an amazing job.

[Panda74]

I did find it hard at first when I was seeing behaviour or was been spoken to (by 3-5year olds) in a way that I would never allow my girls and having to let it go. I mean we do still pull them up but there is only so much you can do.

Can you find somewhere that will let you do a weeks work experience? You may need to source your own insurance though.

Yeah I think that will take a bit of getting used to for me too. I actually haven't had any experience with bad mannered children.. I mean sure I've been roared at like a dinosaur a lot and ignored a lot but nothing too challenging!

I had wanted to do some volunteer work but just read this morning that a Blue Card will take about a month to arrange so I'm a bit frustrated because I want to make a decision in the next 2 weeks.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

you dont have to be an extrovert or out there sort of person to work with children. sometimes those kinds of people are draining and overwhelming for fellow staff and children. i think a good balance between the two is great. you will gain more confidence the more you work with children and at first it will be about becomming familiar with routines, policies, procedures and paperwork. i dont think it is a disadvantage to have a psych degree first. you wont necessarily use any of the knowedge that you learnt doing that course (apart from possibly some child development theory) so you might feel that it is a total change to what you are familiar with.

there are some negatives... low pay, high expectations, often times you have to put your own money and free time into it, some times parents can be a bit of a challenge but i ams ure you have the personal/social skills to deal with that. it totally depends on the centre you end up in and the kinds of people that are already employed as to if you have a negative or positive experience.

i would suggest that you seek employment (you have a certain amount of time before you have to enroll in study and also you can be employed as an unqualified eduactor or lead educator whilst you are studying towards your certificate or diploma). i dont suggest that you go full swing into the teaching thing before you have experience in the field as going through uni getting a degree and then finding out you dont want to work with kids anyways will be a waste of time, effort and money.

hope that helps.

[Panda74]

it totally depends on the centre you end up in and the kinds of people that are already employed as to if you have a negative or positive experience.

Yes, I was thinking that. And yeah I was hoping that like any workplace there would need to be a mix of personalities.

Thanks everyone..

[Indadhanu]

I think you just need to love kids.

And being grossly underpaid and generally unappreciated, and enjoy being called a 'just a babysitter' while you cherish, nurture and educate children, unless you have a teaching degree, which apparently means you ACTUALLY teach instead of just 'being a childcare worker' which seems to mean sitting around playing with them and tending to their needs and providing care and compassion and patience, which apparently teaches children absolutely nothing at all...

(I worked in childcare and am now in Kindergarten. I find it the most draining and rewarding job I can think of. Although I must say, I find the children probably the easiest aspect of the job to deal with, and the parents are one of the most challenging parts of the job )

I definitely recommend work experience or volunteering, because there is a lot to the job that you need to experience to know if you want to do this as a career.

[Floweryfields]

I think you just need to love kids.

Uh, yeah, that's all you need - if someone fronts up to an interview and answers the question why do you want to work here with because I've always loved kids, that doesn't earn them alot of merit.
You need to be realistic, you deal with illness and snot and vomit and poo, alot. Parents can be extremely trying - some can be downright rude and sometimes, they make you cry. A group of us were talking about if/how many times, a parent has made us cry in our careers. One out of 8 of us had NOT been made to cry by a parent.
You need to be prepared for children with less than desirable behaviours and who have families with different standards and expectations.
YOu need to be prepared to be unappreciated, alot, and be treated like you are just a babysitter and you don't actually teach them anything.
And you need to be prepared to be paid less for your responsibility than alot of far less responsible jobs, including cleaners or those who look after animals.

That is the realistic view of it.......from the negative.

You need to be prepared to laugh more than ever before.
You need to be prepared to feel loved.
You will feel appreciated by some very special parents.
You will feel rewarded when you know something you've done has made a difference in the lives of others.
You will meet dedicated people who love what they do.

It's not an easy industry to be in to be totally honest. I would also recommend going and volunteering somewhere for a while to get a realistic idea before you make any big decisions.

[Panda74]

You need to be prepared for .. families with different standards and expectations.

Yes I think this is something that would be hard for me . I already worry that other peoples' kids are not being cuddled enough (I should just mind my own business!).

I know the pay is rubbish (don't get me started!) and I need to think about my own family. Everyone would be better off if I continued to work in my own job (HR admin for a debt collection company). But I am a "sensitive" person and sensitive people need "real" work to be happy.

And I already deal with mean people, have been made to cry at work and there are no laughs in my office!

But I will get into a centre and check out the vomit and poo before I make a decision.

Thankyou..