Primary teacher in chilcare?

Hi Deanne,

I think what you were told sounds about right...generally primary school teachers can work in childcare settings but you might need to do some sort of a short bridging course to be considered as a qualified teacher for early childhood as well. But you don't need to do that in QLD if you already have Bachelor of Education (Primary) with specialisation in Early Childhood Education. I believe the Australian Catholic University offers this course.

I know it sounds like more study just to work with children a few years younger! But did you try contacting the ACU and find out if there is a short course you can do to get the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)?

I know it may seem only a few years but the difference between a school and an early childhood setting is huge. So it's kinda understandable that you have to complete another year of uni to cover the aspects in dealing with children a few years younger.

The reason for this, in a preschool you are preparing the children for school in regards to child development, however in a school you have a curriculum to follow and is more structured. That's probably why you may need to cover those particular units in relation to early childhood.

,
L.A

Thats correct, you do need to do a bridging course.

I know it seem strange but there is a big difference between SCHOOL and CHILDCARE.

I have worked with so many teachers that have never taught in childcare and they don't realise how different it is until they start working.

If you have have a Early education degree you are fine, you don't have to do any further study.

I suppose if you look at it in the other way, someone who has worked in childcare and looked after/taught Pre Prep children and hold a Diploma can't go and work in a school and teach Prep.

Hi Deanne,

I just want to follow up on your question... I did find out some information that may be able to help you. I got the following info from Griffith University -

"As you are already a registered teacher, you may be interested in the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, which is a one semester full-time/two semesters part-time course for those with an Education degree.

You will need to enquire with the Queensland College of Teachers, or the relevant governing body, to find out if this will meet the qualifications needed for the positions within the education department that you would like to go into, or whether you can take up positions in the Early Childhood sector with your qualifications".

Here are some contact details if your interested: Student Centre on 1800 154 055 or 07 5552 8811 (Gold Coast campus) or 07 3735 7700 (Brisbane campuses) for assistance.

This hopefully will give you an idea on how to do the early childhood bit in a quicker time frame...

Let me know,

Cheers
-L.A

Just commenting on Teachers in Child Care. Just remember groups often combine in child care, you should be asking yourself is a babies room just as important as a Kindy room. One day you might be asked to work in a younger room and you should be informed about childcare and the programs in the younger rooms. Children learn through play under 5's and learning starts from babies not just learning preparation for school. Learn as much as possible for Teaching under 5's believe me when you enter the childcare sector you will need it!!!!

Ta J

HI Deanne,

The first thing I wanted say was that moving to Childcare WILL NOT decrease your workload. You will be surprised by the amount of aper work that must be done every day and once a week. And as an example we do portfolios and learning stories for our kids and as there are 40 children who move through our room over the course of a week that equates to 480 learning stories a year and 40 portfolios.

You won't be able to get out of the TAFE course either because it is a condition of your employment and for the Centre getting the funding for a government approved kindergarten program.

Hi Deanne,

I too am looking at converting from Primary teaching to ECT and have been blown away at how hard it seems to be to find the appropriate bridging course!

Be grateful you are in QLD and not NSW... from my research so far at least there are bridging courses offered in QLD for that express purpose...

I know how infuriating the thought of more study seems (I too am balking at it... especially when you put it into the context of more study for less pay and worse hours!) but the TAFE bridging course in QLD at least seems that you are able to work in a centre whilst you are studying... (Light at the end of the tunnel!?)

Thus far, I have been advised in NSW that I should go back to uni and do a full time 2 year Masters degree... Which I can't work in a centre till I complete, will earn me a hefty HECS debt (or whatever they call the debt these days) and will qualify me to manage and direct a centre, not necessarily actually teach in one!!! LUDICROUS!

Considering to convert a psych degree to a teaching degree was easy enough in the first place, I can't believe to work in ECT for less pay and worse hours I now have to go do a 2 years full time masters!

Keep us posted how you get on and how the life/work/study balance goes!

Best of luck