Pre‑Shift Pay Rules for Early Childhood Educators

Early childhood services often require staff to arrive before their rostered start time, to set up rooms, prepare learning materials, or ensure safety checks are complete. But when does this preparation count as paid work?

What Fair Work Australia Says

All time spent performing tasks for the employer’s benefit must be paid.
This includes:
- Room setup (arranging furniture, preparing activities)
- Safety checks (playground, equipment, first aid)
- Opening procedures (unlocking, welcoming families)
Simply arriving early to settle in (e.g., storing personal items, making coffee) is not considered paid work.

Examples in Early Childhood Settings

Scenario	Paid or Unpaid?	Reason
Arriving 10 minutes early to set up play stations	Paid	Employer benefit
Checking playground safety before children arrive	Paid	Employer benefit
Signing in and putting away personal items	Unpaid	Neutral benefit
Greeting families before rostered time	Paid	Employer benefit

Risks for Services

Underpayment = wage theft. Penalties can reach millions of dollars.
Record keeping: Services must accurately record hours worked and provide pay slips within one business day.
Compliance audits: Early childhood centres are regularly monitored for workplace law compliance.

Practical Guidance for Educators

If asked to arrive early and perform tasks, log your actual start time.
Raise concerns with your director or HR if unpaid pre‑shift work is expected.
Contact Fair Work Ombudsman at 13 13 94 for confidential advice.

Why This Matters in Early Childhood

Children’s safety and wellbeing depend on educators being prepared. But preparation is work, and Fair Work Australia makes it clear: if you’re working, you must be paid.

Early childhood education is built on care, preparation, and professionalism. Every minute spent setting up safe, engaging environments is part of the work that supports children’s learning and wellbeing. Fair Work Australia makes it clear: if you are working, you deserve to be paid.