Sasjowatson Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hi guys, advice, help and comments would be appreciated. i achieved a 1st class BA (Hons) degree in childhood studies in 2011. Since then I fell pregnant and have had two children. I am wanting to become an early years teacher in Australia and wondered whether my degree would allow me to do this. The degree was 3 years full time and since the degree I have been childminding in order to stay home with my children. What do you think the possibilities of me doing early years and even if I can't become an early years teacher is it still worth getting my qualification assessed so that when I'm over there getting a job (even at lower level) will be easier?? (Hoping to get visa with husband as main applicant so not dependant on this but would like to know best way for when I'm there) thank you in advance xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) You won't be able to teach here as you need four years of university education to be able to teach anywhere in Australia. You could work in a day care centre, but not as a teacher. Does your degree actually qualify you as a teacher where you live? Did it include 45 days of supervised teaching in a school? If you do not have an initial teaching qualification, then you will need to do one. If you want to teach here then you would need to do a one or two year post graduate course. Your best bet is to contact the teaching registration board of the state in which you wish to teach. They will then advise on an appropriate qualification to undertake and assess which units you may still need to do. Edited October 8, 2013 by Sammy1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasjowatson Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thank you for that. In your opinion would I be better doing my extra year before I come out or while I'm in Oz. also is it worth me getting the qualification assessed, would that need doing before I could get a job at any level or would the employer make a decision on the qualification?x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) Thank you for that. In your opinion would I be better doing my extra year before I come out or while I'm in Oz. also is it worth me getting the qualification assessed, would that need doing before I could get a job at any level or would the employer make a decision on the qualification?x If your degree does not include a teaching qualification, then it may be well worth doing the year here so that you gain local knowledge and an understanding of the Australian National Standards. It would be very expensive though, and unless you were a permanent resident , then you would pay international fees rather than domestic. However, if your degree already includes a teaching qualification, then it may be cheaper for you to do the one year of post grad study in special needs or some other related area, at home. However, it is really important though to contact the TRB (in your preferred state) first to find out which units you may or may not need to do. A school will not consider you for employment unless you are already registered with the TRB or are able to do so. Edited October 8, 2013 by Sammy1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasjowatson Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 Thanks, prob best if I stick wait until I'm over there as a permenant n then take it from there x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffod1lly Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Hi .. Just thought I'd pop by and add my experience as you are in a very similar situation to me. I also qualified with a First class BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. As Sammy1 said, you won't be eligible here as you need the extra year - to make up to the 4 yr full time duration expected to enable you to teach here. The one thing I will say though, after applying to three different Uni's, I found I was not eligible to complete a post-grad. After each Uni explained why, I still couldn't make head nor tail of their explanations. Roughly speaking though, it was something to do with the set up of our degree and the components of the study programme. Each Uni however, would accept me onto their undergraduate programme .... Though this wasn't straightforward either. Two of the Uni's would only give me 2 years worth of credit ... Leaving me with two more years to complete. In the end I signed with USQ as an online student as they were happy to credit me with my 3 years of study..... Leaving me with only the 4th year of study to complete. I have to say they have been great - supportive and very well-run for online students. I definitely agree with Sammy1 on her point about doing your study here - this will really benefit you in enabling you to familiarise yourself with the different early years curriculums and will be a positive aid to helping you when you seek your first teaching position here. I was originally tempted to do the Graduate Teacher Programme in the UK before I moved - what a waste that would've been, as its not recognised here at all ! One last thing, please bear in mind I'm in QLD and so can only advise on what happens in this state .... This may well not be the case elsewhere in Australia. Good Luck :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasjowatson Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thank you for that it is helpful and it is QLD we are looking at moving to. Do they recognise the pgce teaching qualification?? It's a difficult one cos with the student loans n bursary if get here to do the pgce would really help n not sure I'd get that in oz. what jobs could I get (if u don't mind me asking) and what kind of pay xx thank you so much for your replies x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasjowatson Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 With the degree I already have x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thank you for that it is helpful and it is QLD we are looking at moving to. Do they recognise the pgce teaching qualification?? It's a difficult one cos with the student loans n bursary if get here to do the pgce would really help n not sure I'd get that in oz. what jobs could I get (if u don't mind me asking) and what kind of pay xx thank you so much for your replies x The PGCE (university based) is recognised. Just please keep in mind that Queensland will also look at the units you have completed in your initial degree. If they decide it does not fulfill requirements (even though you have a PGCE), they will refuse you registration. That's why it is really important to contact the TRB, or at least a university, to determine if your degree will be accepted/contains the required units of study. I would hate for you to be rejected after doing a PGCE because of that. The research that you are do now will really benefit you for the future. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasjowatson Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks again!!! I will do that, I'm not overly bothered about a well paid job etc esp for the first few years as I have 3 kids (one 7weeks old and one 18months) so I'd be looking after them really to start with. Do u have children? What is it like finding childcare? Think I'd just like a part time job, responsibility free to start with so maybe nursery work etc. do u think I would get a job doing something like that?x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Thanks again!!! I will do that, I'm not overly bothered about a well paid job etc esp for the first few years as I have 3 kids (one 7weeks old and one 18months) so I'd be looking after them really to start with. Do u have children? What is it like finding childcare? Think I'd just like a part time job, responsibility free to start with so maybe nursery work etc. do u think I would get a job doing something like that?x Yes you would, with the degree that you have got it would be no problem, there is always a demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffod1lly Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Thanks again!!! I will do that, I'm not overly bothered about a well paid job etc esp for the first few years as I have 3 kids (one 7weeks old and one 18months) so I'd be looking after them really to start with. Do u have children? What is it like finding childcare? Think I'd just like a part time job, responsibility free to start with so maybe nursery work etc. do u think I would get a job doing something like that?x I had my degree assessed in QLD and was assessed as being eligible for employment up to and including the position of director/co-ordinator of a childcare centre. If you want to be primarily 'responsibility-free' to start with, you may want to consider a position as a Childcare assistant or Kindergarten assistant - a role which you would be easily able to do. However, these are pretty badly paid. Though you may be okay with this, if you just want to find your feet and get yourself known initially. A Group Leader can earn anything upwards of $40 000 a year and they really do vary from centre to centre - be aware that some are quite strict about wanting people with current and relevant curriculum experience. Another option at first, may be to consider relief work with C & K kindergartens - they pay 'roughly' $22 an hour for a kindy assistant, $24 for a childcare centre assistant and around $28 an hour for a Group Leader within their C & K centres. Also, try having a look on Seek.com.au - put Education & Training and Brisbane into the search bars and you'll be able to get a view of the roles and wages on offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda21 Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi, not sure where you live, but I did the same degree as you, then I did the PGCE flexi programme at Northumbria Uni to get my teacher qualification. You can do this over 1 or 2 years and points inbetween. It's mostly done online or on placement. You do 90 days min in school and can work at your own pace around family commitments. Might be worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda21 Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi, not sure where you live, but I did the same degree as you. I then did the PGCE flexi programme at Northumbria Uni to get my teacher qualification. You can do this over 1 or 2 years and points inbetween. It's mostly done online or on placement. You do 90 days min in school and can work at your own pace around family commitments. Might be worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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