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Career in Childcare
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:53 pm
by dee.kaur
Hi,
I have few questions regarding the childcare course. I am 28 years old female living in Sydney. I did my Bachelor of commerce from overseas and worked in Administration profile in overseas only for more than 3 years. Now, I am thinking of getting into the childcare industry as I love being with children but don’t know from where to start.
I am wondering if I can still do traineeship program as this will give me hands on experience working with children. If not, should I go for Certificate III or can directly do diploma to start a career in the Childcare. Can you suggest from which institutes I can study which gives the best practical experience so that I should be having some when getting into the job market. Or how can I gain experience while studying?
Another concern, we are planning for baby in 6-7 months’ time from now and the course is starting later by next month July. In that case, I may not able to work immediately after finishing of childcare course so just worried due to that break time , is there any challenges to find the child care job.
One last thing, I am a permanent resident so I am not eligible for vet-fee help. Could you please advise what are the other best options to pay the course fees?
Thanks.
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 5:37 am
by Lorina
Welcome to Aussie Childcare Network! 
Starting off with a traineeship is a great way to gain experience and knowledge as well as get qualified at the same time. While completing a traineeship at a centre you need to work there for a minimum of a year or until you complete your qualification.
In regards whether you want to study the cert 3 or the Diploma the following article may help:
Cert 3 Being Phased Out
During your study, you would need to do practical work placement which means you would need to go to a centre and work there so you can complete some of your assignments and gain some experience. For cert 3 it's 120 hours and for diploma it's 240 hours. You will not be paid for this as you are a student. You would not be able to complete your course until work placement is complete. If you happen to fall pregnant then you may not be able to complete work placement. There is also a risk to you and the baby from contacting infectious diseases if you work in the first 3 months of your pregnancy (in childcare)... So, your option is eiher to finish your qualification (within 2 years) then have a baby OR have a baby then complete your qulaification aftr the baby is 6 months or so.
In regards to paying for the course you can probably work out a payment plan with the course provider. You can do monthly payments maybe or pay for every 3 months etc. It really depends...
Working in childcare is really demanding both physically and mentally. You have to do alot of manual work of moving furniture, picking up and holding children, bending down alot etc. IF you're planning to get pregnant it can really take it's toll on you. Of course, you will be restricted to do some tasks and activities but it's still demanding!
So, have a really good think and try and work out what you want to do...
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Hope this helps,
,
Lorina
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:25 pm
by dee.kaur
Thanks Lorina. Appreciate your detailed response.
Could you please let me know more about the traineeship program?
What is the eligibility criteria for it? What are the options through which I can commence my traineeship?What all documents are required to submit?
I am not sure if I am eligible as I have done my graduation from overseas.
Thanks.
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:59 am
by Lorina
IN regards to the traineeship program, you sign a contract with your centre where you will be at the centre until you complete your traineeship which is a minimum of a year. Your centre will typically pay for your fees although you may have to pay for the upfront cost (student cost). I'm not too sure and it varies from each centre. Then you basically work and study until you complete your qualification. Before you start, you will need to get a working with children's check/blue card done. It's compulsory for everyone working with children and it's a background check done on you to see if you have any convictions etc. It's no big deal. You just fill in a form and send it in... You can google "childcare traineejobs (area)" to get an idea of what centre are offering traineeships at the moment and maybe you can start applying if you're interested.
Hope this helps,
,
Lorina
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:39 pm
by dee.kaur
Hi Lorina,
Thanks again for the reply.
As far as traineeship program is concerned I have contacted couple of Childcare centers but they said like I am not eligible for it as I have done degree in commerce from overseas. Is that right? Please advise.
Thanks.
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 6:47 am
by Lorina
Is your overseas qualification recognised here in Australia? If yes, then you may not be able to complete a traineeship but if it isn't valid or can be used in Australia then I think you still should be able to...
,
Lorina
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 1:59 pm
by dee.kaur
How can I check my overseas qualification is recognized in Australia?
Thanks.
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 5:24 am
by Lorina
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 12:31 pm
by LeaCherry99
Hey Dee
I looked for a job during a few month in Childcare industry and couldn't find any. I therefore chose to enrol an online diploma of Early childhood education and care. I was looking for a job while studying, and finally found a job 8 weeks after completing my diploma! It really made a difference on my CV. If you are looking for an online diploma as well, here is the organisation I called: SNA.. When I put For you it could be easier to find a new job if you have the skills for this work. You want work in Childcare industry, I council you this course with SNA. I did it and I find a new job 2 weeks after I complete my course.
Lea
Re: Career in Childcare
Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:44 pm
by socialispiice
Hello,
As per my research, For Career in Childcare you need to do following things:
- Go for the right qualification
- Select the right placement organization
i am also going to take startups on childcare soon.