Any early childhood teachers out there?

[Emma09]

I'm thinking of studying a bachelor of education- early childhood.
I am curious about my career potential with this course.
What positions have you held since this qualification?
If i choose this course, I'm hoping to study online, part time- should be finished in about 8 years LOL...

[Emma09]

Bump....


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[My Three Sons]

I am probably not much help... but i did a bachelor of early childhood studies (10 years ago) which i believe is a similar degree.
I am not working in that anymore since having my kids, but before then i worked in a childcare centre. I was quickly promoted to 2IC which was great. Toddlers were always my fav, so i never did kindergarten.
After having my first son, i worked for our local Family Day Care service, running playgroups for all the carers and kids they cared for. It was a great job!
Then i had DS2 so i, worked as a family day carer myself from home, with my 2 boys.

Our initial course was supposed to qualify us to do early primary/kindergarten, but they left out a lot of the primary stuff, and i chose not to do the extra year of study (4 years was enough!) to get that qualification.

Now i have gone on to study midwifery... so a change of scene for me.

[Emma09]

Thanks for your help.
One of the issues I have, is if I do the course and end up working in a childcare centre- what my earning potential would be....


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[HotI]

You would be awesome at it! but i don't think the earning potential is very high in that area.

[MrsFabuloso]

I am. I have been an ECT in a LDC and Pre School, on the floor teaching the kids. I have been a director of a LDC and a multipurpose centre. I have also had the opportunity to be a FDC coordinator, as well as an OOSH coordinator (both while I've been a SAHM and haven't wanted work).
There are alot of positions you can get. They don't necessarily have to be as an on the floor teacher, though they can be a little difficult to get into sometimes.

[meow]

The salary is pretty poor but there are niggles to get ECTs paid the same as school teachers so surely in 8 years time...

Teaching you can pretty much work in a child care centre or kindergarten. If your degree covers 0-8 year olds you can also teach the first few years of primary school. Non-teaching there are jobs in early childhood management such as long day care directors or accreditation supervisors.

The industry is changing a lot with so many working families and sessional kindergartens may phase out in favour of long day care. Which I find utterly depressing but if you're happy to work in long day care then that's okay. Some teachers in long day (I've noticed in Melbourne) are able to negotiate the same work conditions as kindergarten teachers, so they have less contact teaching hours and school holidays off.

[Emma09]

Thanks so much ladies!
Through helpful google- I have found a bachelor of education (early childhood learning and primary school) - you can teach 0-12 years old. Perfect for me! But the link is broken

Thanks again!

[MrsFabuloso]

Teaching you can pretty much work in a child care centre or kindergarten. If your degree covers 0-8 year olds you can also teach the first few years of primary school. Non-teaching there are jobs in early childhood management such as long day care directors or accreditation supervisors.

That depends on the degree she is studying. My degree is only for teaching 0-5's.

You can also do an adult teaching course as extra and be a tafe/college teacher.

[Emma09]

:-( can't do the 0-12 years degree externally :-(
So disappointing!

I would LOVE to be a kindergarten teacher- but I fear there may not be many positions available for reasons some PP's have mentioned.
If that is the case, and I end up working in a childcare centre, not my first preference due to long hours and poor pay, then I may as well have just done a Diploma in children's services IYKWIM?

[Floweryfields]

Earning potential in childcare is (for first year out) around $22/hr. You also would only receive the 4 weeks annual leave per year and not those that teachers get. Also no paid maternity leave, etc. and conditions aren't as great as possibly in the school setting.

Each year you might go up a $ or so an hour but it ends up getting capped at probably close to the $30 mark - so definitely not the potential you have if you work in a school.

[Emma09]

Thanks ladies- you have certainly given me plenty to think about.
I have previously worked in a primary school as a teachers aide- so I guess I could really weigh up the pro's and con's using those experiences.
I have also thought of furthering those qualifications to kind of dip my toe in the water so to speak.

[Sunny Love]

I did the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Stdies at ECU Mt Lawley here in Pertn WA. I say do it. Getting a permanent position in a GOVT school over here is very hard, be it full time or part time, there's a lot of teachers compared to the amount of positions. Not sure about your state, but i'd say it would be a similar situation. However, I still say do it. There are lots of avenues, besides a CCC. There's independent schools, like Montessori, then theres private education, that focuses on religion. You could also open your own family daycare.

I'd also like to point out that CCC are evolving in my state. I hope so in yours. Do not count them out for employment. I did have (before DD) a full time position in a CCC as an Early Childhood Teacher. I earnt 52k per annum, same as a graduate teacher in a GOVT school, I held the same responsibility as a teacher would, BUT had more assistants able to input into the the curriculum and assist learning opportunities. CCC are no longer drop-off centres, they are becoming 'leearning environments' for 'very young people'. There is also a push for schooling and kindy to start younger, so you never know in that respect also, job opportunites could increase in the next 4 years.

I do relief work, and love it to bits. In the 3 years since i've graduated i've been offered one permanent position, and I was in labour with DD when it was offered to me over the phone (yes I still took calls! ) I declined. I enjoy relief because it comes with no 'afterhours' burden. I dont mark, asses or report, I just facilitate learning, and be with the kids. Its magical.

Do it, part time or full time. If you have the passion to learn more, then its your current calling.

[Emma09]

You would be awesome at it! but i don't think the earning potential is very high in that area.

Thanks :-)
I don't need to make millions- but I'm swaying between a few things.... And $$ could help me make my final choice.
Is there a website or something that can help me figure out salaries for these jobs?


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[zap]

What about a kinder assistant? From my understanding all you need for that is a cert III?? And the pay diff is not that bad. My SIL is a kinder ass and says there is a huge demand out there at the moment!

[zap]

Emma you have re ignited my passion to start mine!! I was about to before I fell pg with ds 4 but put it on hold. I think my one was through curtin also. I plain on doing my cert III in 2013 so I can at least get into the industry whilst studying. Thanks to every one else that has given advice!

[Emma09]

Awesome Zap!
If I end up doing online through Curtin- you can help me :-)