Wanting to start a childcare career...don't no where to start

[Jordan]

Hi
I'm just wondering if I could get some info... I'm thinking of getting into child care, I'm a 22 year old female I finished high school in yr 10 (so no vce) and have been working as a receptionist for the last 4 years. I'm wondering if I should and if I'm able to get a traineeship and do cert 3 in 12 months (I don't no if anyone will take me on because I'm 22) or if I should just do the cert 3 in 6months and after that try and find a job in child care while studying for the diploma. Also what is the pay rates in victoria if you don't mind me asking

Thanks

[Lorina]

Hi Jordan,

It doesn't matter how old you are, you are still able to get a traineeship if that's what you want. The good thing about getting a traineeship is the hands on experience that you will gain through it. You will learn on the job and you get a good understanding of what it is like working in this industry. The only thing is, like you mentioned the traineeship is for 12 months. However, even after your traineeship you will still most likely be employed at the centre where you can continue on to do your diploma without having to look for a job.

When doing the certificate 3 course in a short amount of time, the disadvantage is that you wont have much experience when you go and look for a job. Of course you have to start somewhere but this could be considered as a downfall.

When finding a job, when you have completed your cert 3 you will have to look for a childcare assistant position but if you were to do a traineeship while studying your diploma you could probably get a diploma position because you have the experience. In my opinion, I say go for a traineeship first. Even if it takes an extra 6 months!

Regards to pay... it's not much, even diploma's don't get much. Your pay rate as a receptionist is probably more but don't get discouraged, the rewards of working with children make it all worthwhile! Ok, another thing with the wages is that the award only gives you a minimum amount. This means your employer should at least be paying you this rate as the minimum, if you happen to get more than this, then it's great. You also need to consider that wage also depends on the locality and the centre itself.

So, according to the modern award rate your minimum weekly rate as a trainee may be around $602.80/- and your minimum hourly rate would be around $15.86. After a year, once you have gained your qualification then it increases.

I hope this helps,

Good Luck,

,
L.A

[Jordan]

Hey L.A, thank you so much for your help! Yeah I thought a traineeship would be best I just didn't know if I was to old (like they where looking for younger trainee's). So that wage is for trainee's? That's fine with me I mean at least I'm getting heaps of experience thanks heaps again! Do you have any tips as to what's the best way or time of year to get a traineeship? Also is there anywhere in melbourne that would be an awesome child care centre to work at or to steer clear from (I've heard of some bad ones out there )
Really appreciate the feedback thanks again

I'm really keen to get started ASAP

[Lorina]

Hey Again,

If you are eager to begin your traineeship then you should get started straight away. Before you leave your current job, you should make sure you secure a traineeship first, just in case it takes longer than necessary to find. All you would need to do is find a centre that offers a traineeship. I think typically at the beginning of the year there would probably be more offers however there should be traineeships available throughout the year, so if your interested you can get looking straight away.

The best way to start is to get your resume ready, go online to a job site and start looking. You may find that when you are searching for a traineeship through a job site you may be redirected through to a childcare agency such as Expect A Star, Randstad etc. This basically means that the centre has hired the childcare agency to select candidates for them. When going through a childcare agency, first they will interview you, then they will send you to prospective centres to be interviewed. If you don't get the job then the childcare agency will help find something you are looking for. They do help you a lot and once they know what you are looking they try and find something for you.

In regards to centres, you could either work at a chain centre such as Good Start or a private centre. It's hard to determine which are better because they both have pros and cons. sorry, I'm from Sydney so I can't exactly give you a heads up. I've worked at both chain and private centres and I've had good and bad experiences, so it really depends. If you have heard of some centres which aren't too good then best stay away from them.

I'm also recommending some articles available on this site under Resources, Childcare Professionals on traineeships and working in childcare.

Starting A Traineeship
Preparing For An Interview
Childcare Worker Duties

These may be able to provide you with more information...

Hope this helps,

,
L.A

[Jordan]

Thank you so much! Very helpful! I've looked online and there doesn't seem to be much. Do you think I should pop into some centre's with my resume?
Thank you for all your help i'm very keen to start a new career

[Jordan]

So I called up expect a star and i have an interview next week im so excited!!! Has any one worked with them before? I'm doing a traineeship with them where i'll go to diffrent centres and work till my traineeship is over but i dont no what happens after that, will I get a job out of it?
Also I have to get the first aid and anaphylaxis coures's but there is so many diffrent types of them does anyone know which one I need? first aid 1,2 or 3 and is it anaphylaxis and asthma?
thanks again

[Lorina]

Congratulations!

Gosh you got the ball rolling fast didn't you! LOL...

That's great you are doing your traineeship with Expect a Star. Did you have to pay for the course yourself? How much? At least you won't be stuck at just one centre, you get to go and experience other centres that are around. You will be able to observe a vast difference between each of them. It's actually an advantage as you can gather lots of ideas and meet others from lots of centres!

I have only worked casually with Expect A Star. They are very professional and provide a lot of support and guidance. On completion of your traineeship I'm sure they will assist you in finding a job since they are a childcare agency.

Regarding your First Aid you can go to St Johns and you need to do the beginner course for Apply First Aid. There are also refresher courses which you will do once again after your certificate expires. They are really good and reliable. They also do training for asthma and anaphylaxis. Here is a link for more info: https://ssl.stjohnvic.com.au/training/

Hope your interview goes really well,

,
L.A

[fchaudari76]

Once you have your Cert III provided they do not want you to give them X amount of work you should easily be able to find work as an assistant. I am a Director and when I look through resumes that come my way I prefer persons who have completed their qualifications and have experience. At the end of 12 months you will have both so I cannot imagine why you will have any difficulty finding work.
Good luck with it all

[Jordan]

L.A- Yeh i'm super excited no waiting around lol soon as I got off the phone to expect a star I went down to the post office and sent off my working with children check and did my first aid course the next day They said that the course fee's will come out of my pay which is cool with me
fefe76- Thanks for the assurance i'm really excited to start my new career

Another quick question I did my first aid course and I know that I need to do the anaphylaxis course but the teacher at the first aid course told me that I must to the asthma course aswell is this correct? I could have sworn that the lady at expect a star told me I only had to do the anaphylaxis and first aid....
I should probably do it anyway but if I don't have to do before I start working that would be a bonus
Thanks again for everyones answers

[fchaudari76]

You will need 1st aid, CPR, anaphylaxis & asthma training

[Jordan]

Ok great thank you
I'll let you's know how I go

[NorthLight36]

Asthma and anaphylaxis can be done in a day via St John. Although they are separate classes, they are each half day classes and in Melbourne at least one is taught in the morning and the other in the afternoon, after a break for lunch.

Also, after your training is done, if you don't get work through Expect a Star, try seeing what your local council has on offer. Of the the centres I've worked at, I greatly prefer my current job with the council in terms of both wages and work enviroment.

[Jordan]

Thanks northlight yeah I'll look into that! Do you know if the council does traineeships at all?

[NorthLight36]

Not knowing your council, I can't say. My local council doesn't do Cert III traineeships, but will pay for Cert IIIs to move up to diploma trained. You should be able to call your council offices and talk to someone about your options.

Just a warning though, in my experience council centres have a very low turnover rate, so you'll likely need to work your way in as casual staff.

[fchaudari76]

I would just go to centers and ask them if they will take you on as a trainee. CPR anaphylaxis & asthma training can be done in a day through various providers.
Other option is just enroll in Cert III & find work as unqualified assistant.

[Lorina]

Hey Jordan,

Just wanted to catch up... How's it all going?

Have you started working with Expect A Star? Have you started your traineeship yet?

,
L.A

[Jordan]

Hi ladies, So I went to the interview I answered all there questions although it didn't really feel like an interview they where mostly telling us about what we would be doing etc anyway I thought it went great, they where happy friendly an there where only 3 other ladies in the group. Anyway they said that I didn't have enOugh experience even thou it's a traineeship it put me on a massive downer the lady on the phone said that I pretty much got the job because they need people asap and i spoke pefectly and answered all her quires right. I presented my self well I wore slacks a nice top and a blazer but I honestly think I didn't get it because of my past job I worked as a receptionist/manager for a tattoo studio/art gallery and I think that maybe that has scared them away. Anyway I'm still going to look around For a traineeship I'm not giving up because this is the career I want! Thank you all so much for your help!!

[fchaudari76]

Personally I feel that is a bit rude if they have told you they only gave you a job because they need people and you do not have enough experience for a traineeship. That is the whole point of a traineeship!!! you don't have experience and gain it while working!!!
I would go around to childcare centres and speak to them personally and see if anyone will take you on. I am not a fan of "agencies" and sometimes the quality of their staff is debatable. I have had casual staff from the company you interviewed with and they have been shocking to the point I have had to call up complain and ask their names be put on my file and not to send them to my centre again

[Jordan]

Thank you!! I was thinking the same thing!! Of course I don't have experience that's why i'm looking for a traineeship!!!!
Wow!! The way they were talking they only hire the best and blah blah blah, yeah I won't be applying through an agency again!

[fchaudari76]

Print out a resume and cover letter highlighting why you want to work in the industry and any experience with children even if its looking after family members children etc and why you want a traineeship. Go to centres personally and ask to speak to the Director and go from there