Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi all,

I'm new here and really enjoying exploring the forum posts - there's a wealth of information out there!

I would appreciate some advice re retraining as an ECT. I'm in my 40s, have a non-teaching degree and am interested in working in prior-to-school rather than school environments. I am currently organising work experience with a local preschool.

It appears there are 2 pathways I could take. Firstly via a graduate-entry EC teaching degree (I'm looking at the Bachelor in Early Childhood Learning through Charles Darwin Uni) or secondly via a Dip. ECEC plus 1-year add-on B. Teaching (eg through CSU or UNE). Any comments or experiences would be helpful.

Could I also confirm that my entry-level wage would be around $16.75 per hour whilst retraining, and that this would increase once I'd completed 50% of my EC degree (ie as a 'Working Towards' teacher)? Apologies as I realise this has been discussed previously; I'm still a bit confused re pay rates and levels.

Thanks in advance for your assistance
Cheers, Polly.

Hi Lorina,

Thanks for your reply, the links were really useful. I realise that I have a lot to learn before becoming an ECT, so happy to remain an assistant until I'm qualified. My question was more about whether my rate of pay would increase as I worked towards completion of the degree; as people have already mentioned $16.75 per hour isn't a lot when you have a mortgage etc. I have spoken to a couple of ECTs since my original post; both have suggested studying via the cert 3 - diploma - degree pathway (rather than straight into the degree) as I would then be eligible for an increase in pay as each qualification is completed.

Thanks again for your help.