How much do you get paid in Childcare? Open Discussion on Childcare Wages....

[catchmeifucan]

Hi guys,

A very good topic!! its about time we discussed this issue!! I think sometimes understanding how the pay works is confusing...I always think, why are we paid so less??? Good to know that I am not the only one...

I finished my diploma about 4 years ago..I currently earn about $23.40. I have been following up with my director requesting for a pay rise because I did take over a lot of responsibilities for the centre. Not to mention the amount of paperwork I had to catch up on when the previous room leader left. Its now been about 6 months and after my recent request, I was offered a small pay rise. it isint much, but they made me an authorised supervisor and I get some allowances for this. I think its only like $10 - $15 bugs a week extra..I am not sure, I will check my next payslip..

I certainly think that childcare professionals are definetely underpaid!

"Over my time I’ve worked with great staff who have been working in childcare for a certain number of years but was never able to do a qualification…from what I see experience is invaluable, if you are under these circumstances how can you benefit? "

A very good point...I wonder the same!! What happens when someone has been working in childcare for like 20 years, do they still get underpaid if they dont have a recent cert 3 or diploma??

I wonder what others think?

[fchaudari76]

I heard that there was going to be a decent pay rise for childcare professionals ... I think we should at least get the same as school teachers ....saying that I do not know how much they make but I am sure its more than what we get! I mean our jobs are as important if not more so why do we get such shabby pay? I find it disgraceful, no wonder most people prefer to teach primary or secondary and not even consider early childhood because it just doesnt pay well

[Lorina]

Hey Everyone,

I just went through my pay slip and I just realized I only get paid $23 per hour. I initially thought I was getting paid around $23.50 for some reason (I don’t know why)… so I am actually getting less than suspected. I compared this to the new modern award and the minimum hourly wage with a diploma step 4 qualification is only $21.92. So basically if you are a qualified diploma childcare worker in this industry you aren’t worth as much…honestly I feel as if I wasted all these years of study and experience for nothing. Just not fair…

I also went through my old pay slips back in 2008 when I had the opportunity to work as a Director at my centre. I was getting paid over $26.75 per hour (which is a hell of alot more) for being a director and I was only a diploma step 2 at this time. A director gets paid for “higher duties” but what about all of us childcare professionals who also have other duties besides teaching children. Where are our “higher duties”? Don’t get me wrong I am not blaming Directors, I just believe that we as childcare professionals should get higher pay for all the extra paperwork and planning that we have to do to meet the new EYLF and National Quality Standards that are now required.

I’m not sure how much a director gets paid now with the modern award wage. It seems like if you have any chance of making a decent income in this industry you will need to become a director because it seems that being a childcare worker the pay isn’t enough. I am attaching a copy of my pay slip so you can see the difference in your wages if you are a director… (I have deleted all my personal information).

[attachment=0]PaySlip_LA.jpg[/attachment]
Anyways, just wanted to update you all on my latest findings... I was just digging through my pay slips to get a better understanding of how this pay system works...

Cheers ,
L.A

[fchaudari76]

Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will get paid this Friday so I can tell you exactly what I am getting then

[catchmeifucan]

Childcare workers are definitely underpaid! for sure! Just mentioning that L.A, you have a very valid point "It seems like if you have any chance of making a decent income in this industry you will need to become a director because it seems that being a childcare worker the pay isn’t enough". Agree with that 100%!

[fchaudari76]

I have been in teaching / education for over 10 years but none of that gets counted towards my pay which I find annoying as it is all experience why doesn't it get taken into account?
I came to Australia with a Montessori Diploma, was told after A LOT of flaffing about & sending docs off etc that it was not recognised and I needed to do a local qualification Montessori is recognised worldwide so that was a surprise.
When I began work I had to pretty much start at the bottom of the chain because obviously I did not have a "local" qualification and nothing from my 15 yrs previous experiences counted for anything its pathetic ... someone needs to make some changes to how early childhood carers/educators salaries are assessed for sure.

[fchaudari76]

well i finally got my contract & got paid (after 5 weeks!!!!)
my pay is $23.40 / hr ...seems to be the standard for a GL with a completed Diploma....experience counts for nothing! since your pay goes up annually as experience seems to be judged from the time u got your qualification rather than previous work experiences! weird

[darmodina]

Hi all,
i read all your views about the childcare wages, i just want to share mine, $24.87/hr permanent full time, diploma holder. I work in Montessori Preschool/Childcare school environment. This is a private school and when any increase of wages for teachers/non-teaching staff, i also get increased.
I am in this school for 5 1/2 years. My first 3 years i received an increase yearly. My classifiaction as permanent full time (76 hours/forthnight) in CCW level 4 is $49,155/pa. I am still negotiating my weekly allowance as a Coordinator of the LDC-Preschool. My assistant Cert 3, casual full time received $29.86/hr.
I really don't know what is the right award for Childcare Professionals. I heard different pay they received from other childcare professionals.
DA

[Amanda Close]

Hi...Family Day Carer here. My pay varies from day to day. I charge 5.10 per hour per child. My average day is 7hrs long and I average 3 kids a day, = 107.10. I work 4 days a week, = 428.40. Being in my early 50's this is quite enough for me. I do my own cleaning, paper work, programing, planning, documenting, finances...the list goes on! lol. I put in extra hours making games (yes, home made games) re-setting my space and mowing lawns etc. The only reason I continue in my current employment is that I simply believe in small groups of children, a community need for intimate groupings and, having worked in varying styles of centres, a dislike for large institutional settings (even tho I know this last remark may be contriversial - each to their own.) Oh, I have cert 3 in child care and 13 completed diploma thingies.

[LindyT]

I get $32.50 (gross) an hour if all places are full (5 chn til 2014).
BUT as I'm self employed Scheme takes 50c/child/hour, plus a carer levy, then tax, then super and annual leave and business expenses.
Doesn't leave much think I worked it out to be about $12-15 an hour max!!

I'm cert III qualified

[Bex40]

Hi everyone
Have you all heard about the Union for childcare workers? it is called United Voice (formally LMHU). the union is currently in the process to advocate for childcare educators to have a dramatic wage increase from what we currently earn at present. The union needs every childcare educators help the campaign is called Big Steps!!! If we want higher wages we must be present and accounted for for the Government to hear our voices that we are not being paid what we deserve. There is a website www.bigsteps.org.au or become a friend on facebook for the latest information - Big Steps in Queensland (Qld page) or Big Steps In Childcare (National Page)

[catchmeifucan]

Hi Bex,

I had look at the link and its good to know about the efforts taken for childcare educators to receive a dramatic wage increase. I think I recently heard something like this on the news as well. Its great to see this campaign and we all hope something is done to support childcare workers.

"If we want higher wages we must be present and accounted for for the Government to hear our voices that we are not being paid what we deserve. "

I am curious, what is your take on this? How much do you think childcare professionals deserve compared to what we currently earn? I am sure all childcare professionals hopes for the best from this campaign.

[fchaudari76]

I think we are entitled to at least the same salary as school teachers, I mean why not? We work as hard, our roles are as important (if not more)
I also think if we are paid more we would get more people interested in entering the industry

[shmollie_hollie]

Currently I get paid 12.40 an hour because im under 21 years old. I left a job that paid me $22 per hour on a weekday and more on saturdays and even more on sundays because I love what I do. Im just wondering how long I can survive on pure passion rather than a decent wage. I completed my cert III yesterday so apparantly my hourly wage will increase but i have no idea by how much. Childcare wages are so confusing, plus I dont see how at 18 years old I am considered an adult, can be prosecuted as an adult and am expected to act as an adult yet cant be paid as one. Just thought id share

[fchaudari76]

that does not sound right to me I had an 18 yr old with a cert III and she got about $19/hr

[shmollie_hollie]

no that is my wage currently before cert III as i only finnished it on friday but havent recieved my certificate yet.

[fchaudari76]

ok. even then it seems pretty low !

[shmollie_hollie]

Yeah its really hard to survive on that :/ its not right at all, should atleast get minimum wage, they get paid more at macdonalds haha! I hope your all members of big steps in childcare!

[Bex40]

I have always believed that the early child education industry has always been underpaid. I would like to see us being paid in line with other professions with similar qualifications (even male orientated industries) to anyone who has not taken a look at the website we are asking to come into line with other professionals with similiar qualifications (we are asking for up to $10 per hour on top of what we are currently recieving) if you would like to know more info contact United Voice office and they will be more than happy to speak with you. Let everyone you know who works within the industry that this is taking shape and if you would like to stay in a profession that you love doing (as we all know that is why we are here) get on board cause as I said earlier we need everyone to be counted so the government will hear what we are asking for and so the more voices speaking about this the louder our voices will be.

[Lorina]

Hi Bex,

It's great to see us all supporting and standing up for one another!

Thanks for providing the link and I will definitely check it out and get on board!

Cheers ,
L.A