Aussie Childcare Network Forum

I haven't stuck my head in here for a long time. Sorry to have missed you guys, but it's been an... interesting month.

Long backstory short, the area I live in is practically next door to a coal mine and entirely heated by wood fires. As you can imagine, that sort of pollution doesn't play nicely with chronic asthma and I found myself hospitalised for almost a week, then bed-ridden for another two weeks recovering from asthma and a serious chest infection. During my recovery time, my doctor made it very clear to me that my life is at risk if I stay here and that the increasing levels of medication I'm taking are nearing a point where side effects such as heart damage and eyesight damage are a possiblity.

At the moment, my ability to work isn't effected and won't be, provided I move to a better, less polluted area. So, I've been quietly looking to move down to the coast where I've holidayed since I was a child and where experience shows I need nearly no medication and nothing as powerful as I'm taking now. This morning, one of the jobs I've applied for called me back to arrange a telephone interview next week and I was hoping to ask you all for some advice, and perhaps a little reassurance.

I have been working casually at a collection of ELC and preschools in my area (15 different ones) and haven't wanted, yet, to let on that I'm looking elsewhere for work as a couple of my fellow casuals have warned that work dries up fast if HQ hears that. So, no reference. Plus, as I'm rarely at the same centre twice in a week, it's hard to find anyone who'd be willing to give a reference. I do have references from families I baby-sit for, which seems to have been enough to get me an interview, but I'm not sure how to answer if I'm asked why I don't have a reference from the group that currently employs me. Any advice?

Secondly, while I'm delighted to be facing the possibility of almost full-time work (four days a week) at a single centre, there's a part of me that will be painfully sorry to leave the ELCs and Pre-schools where I've been working, as I love the centres and the kids. I know I need the change in environment, and frankly I need the more reliable work hours and consistent routine, but I get very down when I think of the friends I've made in places where I work and the kids there. Anyone else get the moving blues and have advice for dealing with them?

Finally, anyone willing to keep their fingers crossed? Regrets and worries aside, I really do want this job.

Hi

Sorry to hear about your health problems but it sounds like a change for you will be great. The coast would be a great area to live in such a great lifestyle there!
Yes, it is hard moving to a new area and having to make new friends and starting a new job. When I was a child, we moved around a lot due to dad's work and I ended up going to about 8 different primary schools! So I know moving is hard but you will be so much healthier for it. There is an adjustment period, but when you get past that and settle into your new job you'll be glad you made the move.
As for references, it's hard to get references from just doing casual work. I would just explain in your interview if they ask that you were doing casual work at different centres and that they won't give out references to casual staff. They should be fine with that. I know asking for a reference can be a bit if a tricky situation but if they're keen then they won't care so much, as long as you do have other references to give like you said from your babysitting jobs.

Good luck with the interview and the move I hope you get the job! Let us know how you get on with everything

Thanks Law92.

I figured it was pretty normal to have difficulty getting references from casual work, but it's good to have someone else confirm that.

I'll let you know how things go.

Thanks for the welcome back, LA.

And thanks for the information about employment certificates. I hadn't heard of those before so it's good to know!

Yeah, moving on is tough. It was hard enough moving on from the centre where I did my three months of placement while I did my Cert III (though I got a really good laugh (in private) when a handful of the children asked some of the regular staff to go to my new job so I could stay there instead. Thankfully so did the staff members in question!), and I was really hoping to stay where I am. But even if I could ignore the health issues, I can't survive on casual hours. Too unpredictable, particularly with better weather coming.

Well, good news. I made the shortlist for the job, so I'll be going to the centre in person on Tuesday for a face to face interview.

I know my telephone interview went well, since, well, I'm on the shortlist. Now I just have to hope the in person interview goes well and keep my fingers crossed. It's a great area and I've got my eye on a nice house to rent that's only two blocks from the centre and is pet friendly (hard to find somewhere nice AND pet friendly, but I can't leave my little feline monster behind).

Keep your fingers crossed for me, everyone.