How does your centre allocate rooms for next year?

[Barbie]

I'm very disappointed in my centres handling of allocation of new rooms for next year.
I started here mid year and they already tried to jib me in the interview (job ad said toddlers and they tried to offload me into babies room) So now after a very hard working year in the hardest room in the centre after i fought for toddlers they tell me they are putting me in babies next year.
I would have thought after my performance review where i advised i enjoy the educational side of childcare most, got our children really into books and was the chief arty farty person of the room this year that they would have taken this into consideration when allocating rooms but it seems to me they've done it out of spite. Our director is really nasty and picks on people right down to things like 'who made the toast this morning its too crumby' (right i know)
They have also put another poor lady who was in the kinder room this year (around 60yrs old with grown up children clearly over the baby stage) in this room and she was very very upset as working with 5-6 yr olds is her forte.

So i am wondering how your centre works out its new rooms and if you get a say in it at all or if in fact you do even change rooms? They've certainly uprooted probably 23 out of the 25 staff there into new rooms next year which i find odd.

[Lorina]

Hi Barbie,

It is disappointing when you have to work in the baby’s room again, especially if you had your heart set on working in the toddlers. You probably did such fantastic job this year that’s why your director doesn’t want you to change… Also, your director probably can’t find anyone else willing to work with babies so that’s why you’re stuck there. Try not to let it bother you too much! You already spent a year in the room so you know what to expect… Make the most of it!

In my experience, I was always in the same room, year in, year out… So, when children move into the rooms at the beginning of the year they have a new teacher, new room etc. However, there was one centre I worked at where we changed rooms at the beginning of the year so everyone gets a turn in each room… I didn’t mind so much but it didn’t go down so well with others… I guess it just depends on the director and what they decide. They always get the last say in the end.

I understand you like the educational side of teaching children… Perhaps you can incorporate something like this into the baby’s room? Such as different games/activities you could try which incorporate learning…

I’m sure it will be alright…

,
L.A

[Barbie]

Sorry I must have confused you I was in toddlers and they are making me go to babies

[moosemash]

You might be dissapointed but I'm sure that your Director has his/her reasons for doing what they did.

I think it would be a great new experience for you - you never know, you might end up enjoying it.

[Lorina]

Sorry I must have confused you I was in toddlers and they are making me go to babies

Ooops...my mistake! Same advice just swap it around...

[nattieP82]

Hi,

At my centre, staff are asked to nominate where they would like to work and why, but at the end of the day, the director decides with input from the 2IC. Generally though, one staff from each room will remain there for a second year, while someone else moves up with the group of children to the next room. So once you've been in a room for 2 years, you know you're moving, basically. Once you've been with the preschoolers for 2 years, you start back at the babies and the cycle repeats.

In my humble opinion, everyone should rotate- it keeps you up to date with practices in each age category, you feel like you can involve yourself with children of all ages and it's far better for your professional development to work with a range of ages. I understand you're upset, but just think for a moment- if everyone chooses the preschool room- where does that leave the babies? Don't the babies deserve good staff as much as the preschoolers? If you really enjoy the educational side, perhaps working for B&A or a preschool would be better suited to you. When you're employed as a staff member, you can't expect to only work with one age group- primary teachers have to teach from K to year 6. Why would you think that LDC is any different?

I don't mean to sound harsh, and I'm sorry your boss is nasty, but I've come across a lot of staff over the years who want one particular room and really let everyone know they're not happy if they don't get what they want. My advice is to roll with the punches- be as professional as you can, embrace the room/s you're put in and learn as much as possible. You may very well love the babies if you approach it with an open mind..

Good luck.

[kidz1]

nice and very informative thread great to have here.