According to the Children’s Services Award 2010, all employees fall under a classification structure, this determines their minimum wage. Each “level” gives a definition of what is expected of the employee, the qualifications required and the duties the employee should perform in order to be paid at that particular level. Below is the list of classifications for each level.
Level 1
This is an employee who has no formal qualifications but is able to perform work within the scope of this level. The employee will work under direct supervision in a team environment and will receive guidance and direction at all times. The employee will receive structured and regular on-the-job training to perform the duties expected at this level. Normally an employee at this level will not be left alone with a group of children.
Indicative duties:
- Learning and implementing the policies, procedures and routines of the service.
- Learning how to establish relationships and interact with children.
- Learning the basic skills required to work in this environment with children.
- Giving each child individual attention and comfort as required.
- Basic duties include food preparation, cleaning and gardening.
Level 2
This is an employee who has completed 12 months in Level 1, or a relevant AQF Certificate II, or in the opinion of the employer has sufficient knowledge and experience to perform the work within the scope of this level. An employee at this level has limited knowledge and experience in children's services and is expected to take limited responsibility for their own work.
Indicative duties:
- Assist in the implementation of the children's program under supervision.
- Assist in the implementation of daily care routines.
- Develop awareness of and assist in the maintenance of the health and safety of the children in care.
- Give each child individual attention and comfort as required.
- Understand and work according to the centre or service's policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of hygienic handling of food and equipment.
Level 3
Level 3A
Such an employee would be an ‘E' Worker as previously classified under the Child Care (Long Day Care) WA Award 2005 as CSE Level 2.
Level 3
This is an employee who has completed AQF Certificate III in Children's Services or an equivalent qualification or, alternatively, this employee will possess, in the opinion of the employer, sufficient knowledge or experience to perform the duties at this level. An employee appointed at this level will also undertake the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 2.
Indicative duties:
- Assist in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programs for individual children or groups.
- Record observations of individual children or groups for program planning purposes for qualified staff.
- Under direction, work with individual children with particular needs.
- Assist in the direction of untrained staff.
- Undertake and implement the requirements of quality assurance.
- Work in accordance with food safety regulations.
Level 4
Level 4A
This is an employee who has not obtained the qualifications required for a Level 4 employee who performs the same duties as a Level 4 employee.
Level 4
This is an employee who has completed a Diploma in Children's Services or equivalent (e.g. Certificate IV in Out of School Hours Care) as recognised by licensing authorities and is appointed as the person in charge of a group of children in the age range from birth to 12 years or an employee who is appointed as an Authorised Supervisor (as defined in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW)). An employee at this level will also take on the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 3.
Indicative duties:
- Responsible, in consultation with the Assistant Director/Director for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of a developmentally appropriate program for individual children or groups.
- Responsible to the Assistant Director/Director for the supervision of students on placement.
- Responsible for ensuring a safe environment is maintained for both staff and children.
- Responsible for ensuring that records are maintained accurately for each child in their care.
- Develop, implement and evaluate daily care routines.
- Ensure that the centre or service's policies and procedures are adhered to.
- Liaise with families.
Level 5
Level 5A
This is an employee who has not obtained the qualification required for a Level 5 employee who performs the same duties as a Level 5 employee.
Level 5
This is an employee who has completed an AQF Level V Diploma in Children's Services or equivalent and is appointed as:
- Assistant Director of a service
- A Children's Services coordinator
- A Family Day Care coordinator
- A Family Day Care Trainee Supervisor or
- School-Age Care coordinator
- An Assistant Director will also take on the same duties and perform the same tasks as a CSE Level 4.
Indicative duties:
- Coordinate and direct the activities of employees engaged in the implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programs.
- Contribute, through the Director, to the development of the centre or service's policies.
- The coordinate centre or service operations including Occupational Health and Safety, program planning, and staff training.
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of the centre or service in the temporary absence of the Director and for management and compliance with licensing and all statutory and quality assurance issues.
- Generally, supervise all employees within the service.
A Children's Service Co-coordinator undertakes additional responsibilities including:
- Coordinating the activities of more than one group;
- Supervising staff, trainees and students on placement; and
- Assisting in administrative functions.
Family Day Care Co-ordinator
A Family Day Care coordinator undertakes the following indicative duties:
- Arranges administers and monitors a number of Family Day Care placements;
- responsible for the direction, supervision and training of a number of family-based childcare workers;
- Implements licensing regulations and accreditation requirements for family daycare;
- Assists in recruiting and approving the registration of family-based childcare workers in accordance with the scheme's policies and licensing regulations;
- Documents interprets and uses information about children;
- Assists family-based childcare workers to develop care routines for children;
- Communicates effectively with family-based childcare workers, children, parents and families;
- Applies well-developed theoretical knowledge to the care situations with respect to cultural diversity, gender issues and scheme philosophy;
- Responsible for the quality of their own work and the work of others; and
- Ensures that records are maintained and up to date.
A Family Day Care Trainee Supervisor undertakes the following indicative duties:
- Provides support and guidance to family-based childcare workers undertaking the AQF Certificate III Traineeship;
- Undertakes supervision visits for the purpose of on-the-job workplace assessment;
- Organizes training assistance such as additional resources, in-service sessions and study groups as required; and
- Contributes to the development of the scheme's policies.
OOSH Co-ordinator
An unqualified coordinator who coordinates and manages a standalone out-of-school hours care and/or vacation care centre may undertake the following:
- Develop and/or oversee programs and ensure they offer a balance of flexibility, variety, safety and fun;
- Supervise the programs/activities and ensure each staff member is fulfilling their relevant duties and responsibilities;
- Carry out administrative tasks including fee collection and receipting, banking, staff pay, etc;
- Administer first aid when appropriate and ensure that injured children receive appropriate medical attention;
- Work positively with parents and/or committees; and
- Understand and work in accordance with the centre or service's policies.
Level 6
Level 6A
This is an employee who has not obtained the qualification required for a Level 6 employee who performs the same duties as a Level 6 employee.
Level 6 Director
A Director is an employee who holds a relevant Degree or a 3 or 4-year Early Childhood Education qualification, or an AQF Advanced Diploma, a Diploma in Children's Services, or a Diploma in Out-of-Hours Care; or is otherwise a person possessing such experience, or holding such qualifications deemed by the employer or the relevant legislation to be appropriate or required for the position, and who is appointed as the director of service.
Indicative duties:
- Responsible for the overall management and administration of the service.
- Supervise the implementation of developmentally appropriate programs for children.
- Recruit staff in accordance with relevant regulations.
- Maintain day-to-day accounts and handle all administrative matters.
- Ensure that the centre or service adheres to all relevant regulations and statutory requirements.
- Ensure that the centre or service meets or exceeds quality assurance requirements.
- Liaise with families and outside agencies.
- Formulate and evaluate annual budgets.
- Liaise with management committees as appropriate.
- Provide professional leadership and development to staff.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures for the centre or service.
Director Level 1
A Director Level 1 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for up to 39 children or a Family Day Care service of no more than 30 family-based childcare workers and is paid at the Level 6.1 to 6.3 salary range.
Director Level 2
A Director Level 2 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for between 40 and 59 children or a Family Day Care service with between 31 and 60 family-based childcare workers and is paid at the Level 6.4 to 6.6 salary range.
Director Level 3
A Director Level 3 is an employee appointed as the Director of a service licensed for 60 or more children or a Family Day Care service with more than 60 family-based childcare workers and is paid at the Level 6.7 to 6.9 salary range.
OOSH Qualified Coordinator
This is also the level for a qualified Co-coordinator who coordinates and manages a standalone out-of-school hours care and/or vacation care centre and has successfully completed a post-secondary course of at least two years in Early Childhood Studies or an equivalent qualification. A Coordinator appointed to coordinate the activities of a service licensed to accommodate up to 59 children will be paid at the salary range Level 6.1 to 6.3. A Co-coordinator appointed to coordinate the activities of a service licensed to accommodate 60 or more children will be paid at the salary range Level 6.4 to 6.6.
For ECTs working in early childhood services, they are on the Educational Services Teachers Award and there are 5 Classification Levels that determine their rate of pay.
You can read it here: Classification Levels For ECTs In Early Childhood Services
Childcare Pay Rate
For Educators, under the Children's Services Award 2010, once you have worked out your correct level you can check your correct pay rate:
Cert 3 Qualified Educator Wages In Early Childhood Services
Diploma Qualified Educator Wages In Early Childhood Services
Childcare Wages In Australia
Reference:
Children's Services Award 2010
As an Educator in Australia, your pay rate falls under the Children’s Services Award 2010. This award states the minimum amount that an employer can
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people cultures are valued and significant in Australia and it's essential for educators to help children understand the history, culture
When working as a Diploma Qualified Educator your pay rate is from the Children's Services Award 2010. This Award states your minimum rate of pay
As educators, we need to incorporate cultural celebrations within the setting in a sensitive and respectful manner by avoiding cultural tokenism - which is the act
Natural materials should be an integral element of children’s play. They are easily accessible and encourage children to learn about nature, foster creativity, imagination and
Progressive mealtimes are giving an opportunity for children to choose when they want to eat within a certain timeframe instead of eating at a set
Children love being barefoot! It's comfortable and it enables them to feel free. Feeling the freedom of their movements allows them to feel more liberated.
Parent / Educator meetings help build respectful and positive relationships and enable educators and parents to share information about the child. Meetings add to the casual,
Active Listening involves lending your undivided attention to someone who is speaking to you. As opposed to passive listening which is merely hearing the speaker
Walking Together, developed by the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association, is a free inclusion support and protocol resource for early childhood services.
