A 2 year traineeship instead of a 12 month traineeship

[Danielle]

I had my first interview for a traineeship in childcare and
succeeded which makes me happy though it's not over yet.
She told me this would be a 2 year traineeship since they are a private
child care center. The sallary is 12.85 (I'm not sure if this is good, my previous job was
19 something. I understand child care is different though)
and I will also be 22 years old in April.

I was asked if I wanted to volunteer tomorrow from 8:30 to 3:30, I take it
this will be to see if I get the position and I accepted, atleast I will get experience.
I don't mind the wages but my main concern is it being for 2 years when I have heard that the traineeship can be for 12 months.

I have called some other centers to see if they offer a 12 month traineeship, out of the ones
I called one didn't provide me with an answer but asked me to email my resume.
The others were already training people.

If I do find a center that can do it for 12 months so I can obtain my certificate sooner
will it be more worth it/logical to do so?

And also would it be okay to after volunteering at the child care center that I
tell them it isn't for me but politely? How can I do so?

[Lorina]

Hey Danielle, 

Great to hear that all went well for your job interview. Awesome! 

In regards to the 2 year traineeship I have never heard of that before.. I also started my traineeship at a privately owned Childcare centre and I completed my cert in 12 months although that was a long time ago! Honestly speaking I think 2 years to complete a traineeship is far too long... This is just for the certificate 3 right.. If they said 2 years for both cert 3 and diploma it's fine but personally 2 years is a long time for a course that usually only takes 12 months to complete... 

Also, when signing up for a cert 3 traineeship you sign a contract which conveys that for your duration of your traineeship you will complete it at the centre and if they want you to sign it to guarantee that you will work with them for 2 years I think it's a bit much.. I mean in Childcare your most likely stay at a centre for a year or so before moving on to another one. 

Volunteer days are fairly common for you to decide whether or not the centre is right for you... After tomorrow, if you decide that you no longer wish to continue there, just let them know. You could say something like "I really enjoyed the time I spent at your centre, the children and staff are lovely and it's given me a great insight to see how it's all done around here. For the moment I have decided to see what other opportunities are available and therefore I will have to decline this job opportunity for me. I really appreciate you given me the time to come in and see your centre. Thank you... "Something along the lines of that... Lol... 

Just see how you go tomorrow and you could always let them know that you have seen what they offered and you will think about it and let them know in a couple of days and then you could ring them and decline this position if you don't want to go ahead.. 

It's a tough choice to make but just follow your instincts, 

Cheers ,
L.A

[Danielle]

Well I learned child care wasn't for me unfortunately.
I was offered to go again tomorrow for volunteering again since the owner
wasn't quiet sure with me, she wanted to give me a try with the toddlers instead
of the babies. I didn't hate it, it was just reasons relating to myself that
I couldn't see myself doing it for 2 years. I thought I would go again tomorrow
but had to change my mind, would only be lying to myself and to them if
I went through with it.

Thank you all for your advice though I know a little more about children now
than I did before and that's helped me a great deal.

[Lorina]

Hi Danielle,

Sometimes when you are thrown into a situation which you weren't quite expecting, it can be a little overwhelming! So it sounds like they put you in the babies room for your trial run. Well I have to say that babies are one of the hardest groups to work with and if you have never worked with children before than you are pretty much stuck... Don't give up on it.... Maybe you should try and find a centre which offers the traineeship in an older age group such as toddlers or preschoolers but you're right 2 years is far too long...

Hope everything works out for you,

Cheers ,
L.A

[fchaudari76]

I agree the babies room is the hardest, I too personally would not want to take a job on if on day 1 they put me in there!
Try with the toddlers and if you feel that is not for you either perhaps you are better suited to a pre-kindy type age group. Not everyone can work with every age group, even us experienced ones!

As for 2 year traineeship, that is far too long and I have never heard of it! Unless its 1 year study and you have to give them 1 year of service after??

As LA said if you decide not to take their offer just simply say " I enjoyed my time at the centre, however I feel that a 2 year traineeship is too long so I will have to decline your offer"
You never know if you say it they may come back with a better offer for you!

Good Luck

[Danielle]

Yeah I decided it wasn't for me.
When I asked about it being two year traineeship she said it was because
they were privately owned and they don't do it through the government but maybe
it is exactly as you have said.
It was photo day that day also. The owner said she wouldn't have started me in there
so maybe I would have been better with the toddlers. One little girl wanted me to
put her hoody in her barbie bag, I didn't know what to do since I couldn't go away so
I just looked after it for her.
Maybe what I did was best but I'm not so sure.
I'm considering giving it another go but elsewhere and since I know what I'm in for
I may be more prepared this time than the last. I just didn't want to attempt
staying there when knowing I wasn't capable and maybe leaving sometime during the traineeship because then that would have been a waste.

[fchaudari76]

It does sound like this place is not right for you.
I am sure you will find somewhere better soon.

[Danielle]

I have.
I was invited for a trial tomorrow and it's also very close by
then not long after I got another call from another child care center
asking if I could come for an interview but I had to let them know
that I wouldn't be available. If I don't do well at the trial (which
I hope doesn't happen) then at least I'll have a backup but I have a good feeling
with this place.

[fchaudari76]

Good Luck
Let us know how it goes

[Danielle]

Thankyou FeFe
it was awesome, I loved every moment of being there.
I guess it really depends on what centre your working for and what impression it has on you.
The kids are wonderful and the staff are very welcoming and polite.
They said they'll send my resume through to their director and I'll
be let know around the end of this week if I get it. My only worry is that my resume
is not good enough
but I'm praying that I'll still get it.

[fchaudari76]

Glad to hear you had a positive experience. I am sure it will go well.... if its meant to be it will be ...Im a firm believer in that.
Keep us updated