Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hello Educators

This is my first post. I am looking for some advice and to hear other’s experiences, please.

I am currently studying a Diploma of Early Education and care, via distance education. I am at the stage of looking towards work placement and thereafter, a paid position. My biggest concern at the moment, is the hours and rosters in LDC, are not easy to work around, having school aged children of my own. My youngest child, is in kindy next year, 2 full days and 1 half day a week. My husband can start work earlier in the morning, to pick the children up in the afternoon, but it has to be consistent. I don’t have family to help out, so I will have to rely on before and after hours care. My concern is, not so much before hours care, or starting early (myself), but I want to be there for my children after school. I proffer if my children were not in after hours care all afternoon, every day and the fact I will miss out on being there for them. So maybe being able to finished before 4.30pm.

I love working with children and families and have a lot of skills from pervious roles (community services, family support and youth work-working with young parents and their children) I could use in LDC. But I am feeling very discouraged right now.

I have had a look through the child care award and on fair work for information. On the fair work site it says, Employees may be able to put in writing a request for flexible hours with reasonable grounds, after 1 year of employment. But what about being up front about your family, when you are first employed? I would proffer to be upfront from the start, because I want to be as reliable as I can be for my employer and I value accountability. Personally, I have found it to be best practise in most cases, but I don’t know the Early Years Industry that well.

I would love to hear from any Educators that are in a similar situation and how you work it. I know there are a lot of very passionate and experienced Educators out there in a similar situation. Unfortunately not that I know personally. There are probably 100 ideas, I have not even thought of.

Please, any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thank you Lorina, very much for your advice.

I think during job interviews, I definitely will ask questions like "What does a typical day in this role look like?" And "How does the roster system and shifts work at this centre?" To get an idea.

When would be the best time to approach, the issue I talked about my question? Is it more appropriate to be upfront in job interview or during the orientation process?

Once again, thank you very much

Angel

Thank you so much Lorina