Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi all!

I'm looking for some advice in regards to my payrate and whether I should negotiate a higher payrate or not.

I currently work at an OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) service and I am 2 university topics off being considered a qualified staff member on a 4.1 level- I am currently considered unqualified. I have been working here for over 2 years now and I am studying a Bachelor of Primary Education/Bachelor of Arts where the topics I am missing are for my major. My OSHC Director has had discussions to try and get me considered qualified so I can become the Assistant Director, however she had been unsuccessful. Currently, I am assisting my director with some responsibilities of an Assistant Director as we currently do not have one and are struggling to bring one in. I have been doing this for 3 months now and we currently still do not have someone lined up to step in as Assistant Director, as our current Assistant Director is out on maternity leave until October.

The roles I am currently doing include:

• Reciepting and chasing up account finances (debt collection)

• Creating and directing the implementation of a weekly program for staff with the previous reflection, educator goals, and the MTOP connections these programs meet. I also complete weekly reflections on the implementation of these programs to improve future programs and to provide appropriate feedback to staff when necessary.

• General management of staff on shift, particularly when the Director is not in service and I am in. Making sure staff are fulfilling duties

• Training new qualified and unqualified staff

• Reflecting on and evaluating staff-child Seesaw + program reflections and providing feedback to staff members

• Managing parent communications via in-person, phone, and email inquiries + assisting them with the majority of their inquiries (Staff typically direct parents to me or my Director for things beyond bookings)

• Working in accordance with the service policies and ensuring service policies are upheld

• Providing guidance and advice for staff members when requested (E.g. Providing guidance on how educational practice could be improved if a staff member asks for feedback)

In short, I complete the majority of the responsibilities of the qualified staff when I am on shift with some admin thrown in. I am currently being paid $28.86 on a 3.1 level, however I feel I may be deserving of more pay for the responsibilities I juggle, especially as the majority of the service regards me as the next step down from our Director (including Qualified staff). One of the qualified staff members at my service feels I should be on a 5A.1, but I'm truly unsure where I would fall and what pay I should have with the responsibilities I have. Some general insight would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone!