Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi there,

I have been working as a childcare educator in Goodstart from past 7 months i,e since May 2018, and ive been working 4 days a week continously since i started my childcare job. Last week i came to know that i am 1 month pregnent. when i was pregnent wiht my first child i never had any health issues, infact i wasnt working in the childcare then.
I have been hearing a lots of stories regrading pregnency issues while working in a childcacre, which concerns me alot. Most of the time ive been working in the babies and toddlers. But now i think i will not be able to continue in babies or toddlers because it invloves a lot of physical work, lifting the babies and nappy changing. I really need someone to explain the precautionary measures that i need to follow during my pregnency period.
Also since i found out my pregnency last week i havent spoken to my employer yet on that.

I'm also concerned about the maternity pay when i plan to stop my work after my 8th month, i knom i'm thinking too ahead. I have heared people say casual educators will not be eligible to get a maternity pay. Is that true? Does goodstart give maternity pay? or the centrelink? If yes, what would be the pay? when would i be eligible for the benifit?
I really need a clear picture on this as i am really worried and confused.

Firstly congratulations!
The following sites have a lot of helpful information and answer most of your questions:

https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/mater ... ntal-leave - have a look at the bottom of the page for more info
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/indivi ... -leave-pay
https://raisingchildren.net.au/pregnanc ... ork-rights
https://www.goodstart.org.au/about-us/c ... g/benefits
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at ... c13cb50400

You have time to tell your employer, so do some research, there is no need to stress
Working in a baby/toddler room is physically and emotionally hard and as you mentioned you have to lift the kids and do nappy changes etc, maybe your allowed to swap to a room with older children or only do light duties later on etc
Have a read through the information in the links because it tells you about your rights and entitlements which are very important!

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Hello,

Congratulations!

For the first trimester, the following should be avoided though each would-be mother is different and has different physical issues.
Any activity that has a lot of jerky, bouncing movements that may cause you to fall, like horseback riding, downhill skiing, off-road cycling, gymnastics or skating.
Any sport in which you may be hit in the belly, such as ice hockey, boxing, soccer, or basketball.

For more rules and precautions in pregnancy, please visit the site
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics ... /pregnancy
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/pub ... -pregnancy

For Goodstart maternity benefit, please visit the below link

https://www.goodstart.org.au/about-us/c ... g/benefits
https://www.glassdoor.com/Benefits/Good ... 4_IN16.htm

Thank you

Nandita