This time I was sent to the babies room. It wasnt the hardest of routines, but you basically fed the babies, made sure the older toddlers sat up and ate their lunches, wiped off their hands and shirts, and played with them. It reminded me a lot of Baby Hannah, who is my friend's nine month old baby who l live with
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Assignment in Brookvale again.
Today I went to do a four hour shift at this centre in Brookvale. It was the same one I visited about two weeks back.
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Two ECT job interviews today
Montessori Preschool 1:
So I just finished an interview at a privately owned Montessori preschool on the Newcastle line.
I dont think the boss is willing to pay much coz he flinched when I told him of my previous pay rate. He also insists on not bringing in agency staff.
I was surprised to find out that I was to be interviewed by the Director's husband. He said that if I wanted to find out if I were going to be a fit for the school, I should come in for a voluntary basis (meaning unpaid) for about a week at the school to observe
the school.
Ok, you know what, I am not too keen to do that. You can reserve that position for someone else.
2) Montessori Care Centre in CBD-
This centre is located right in the middle of the CBD.
This is a very interesting interview with two different ladies, one being the owner, and another the supervisor.
I was interviewed more on the Montessori ideologies, and differences between play based curriculum and Montessori.
This centre opens from 7 am to 7 pm. Very long hours indeed, but I do believe they do not have that much cleaning work or outdoor play set up.
What I like about this centre is the employers are willing to sponsor foreign qualified staff, which speaks volume on what they are willing to keep good staff.
Stay tuned.
So I just finished an interview at a privately owned Montessori preschool on the Newcastle line.
I dont think the boss is willing to pay much coz he flinched when I told him of my previous pay rate. He also insists on not bringing in agency staff.
I was surprised to find out that I was to be interviewed by the Director's husband. He said that if I wanted to find out if I were going to be a fit for the school, I should come in for a voluntary basis (meaning unpaid) for about a week at the school to observe
the school.
Ok, you know what, I am not too keen to do that. You can reserve that position for someone else.
2) Montessori Care Centre in CBD-
This centre is located right in the middle of the CBD.
This is a very interesting interview with two different ladies, one being the owner, and another the supervisor.
I was interviewed more on the Montessori ideologies, and differences between play based curriculum and Montessori.
This centre opens from 7 am to 7 pm. Very long hours indeed, but I do believe they do not have that much cleaning work or outdoor play set up.
What I like about this centre is the employers are willing to sponsor foreign qualified staff, which speaks volume on what they are willing to keep good staff.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Preschool shift at Mosman
Today I went for a 8- 3.30pm shift at this preschool in Mosman. The preschool was managed by a non for profit association.
It was a most interesting shift as the experience was the most different from the last two centres I went to, and very different from the centre where I last held a permanent position near Beverly
Hills.
The Cert3 Assistant, and who is now doing her 2nd year of a BED (Primary School) part time, was very well informed and a very capable teacher.
She was able to answer the questions I asked her, and had a very open mind in managing and disciplining children.
The experience today basically proved that no matter what sentiments my ex boss had about children having a run outdoors was, it was not going to hurt if they had a fall as that was how they learnt.
I also observed that the children also helped to pack away indoors with the teachers just assisting. Group times was good too as the children enjoyed waiting patiently and quietly and it was pleasant reading a book to them.
Last but no least, there was not much administrative or cleaning duties. This basically took up the bulk of my work previously. Perhaps the only work was the curriculum planning, the prparation
for the art activities, and some general cleaning.
I also liked the fact that the centre was willing to bring in casual staff from the agency for RDOs or sickies, as it really gives the staff the rest they need as when they need to, instead of overworking staff on a weekly
basis.
As much as I love the Montessori philosophy, I believe there must be a balance of reality, practicality, and imagination to make work bearable, enjoyable and most importantly pleasant to wake up to everyday.
It was a most interesting shift as the experience was the most different from the last two centres I went to, and very different from the centre where I last held a permanent position near Beverly
Hills.
The Cert3 Assistant, and who is now doing her 2nd year of a BED (Primary School) part time, was very well informed and a very capable teacher.
She was able to answer the questions I asked her, and had a very open mind in managing and disciplining children.
The experience today basically proved that no matter what sentiments my ex boss had about children having a run outdoors was, it was not going to hurt if they had a fall as that was how they learnt.
I also observed that the children also helped to pack away indoors with the teachers just assisting. Group times was good too as the children enjoyed waiting patiently and quietly and it was pleasant reading a book to them.
Last but no least, there was not much administrative or cleaning duties. This basically took up the bulk of my work previously. Perhaps the only work was the curriculum planning, the prparation
for the art activities, and some general cleaning.
I also liked the fact that the centre was willing to bring in casual staff from the agency for RDOs or sickies, as it really gives the staff the rest they need as when they need to, instead of overworking staff on a weekly
basis.
As much as I love the Montessori philosophy, I believe there must be a balance of reality, practicality, and imagination to make work bearable, enjoyable and most importantly pleasant to wake up to everyday.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Shift at a Brookvale centre.
Today I went in for a 9-5pm shift at Brookvale with Agent E. The centre was easy to find.
For this shift, I had to leave Rhodes by 7am. I took the bus to Brookvale from Carrington st Stand C, and arrived at the centre about 7.45am.
The day started out easy, with the 3-4 year olds. There were 16 in attendance today. Lunch was at 12.05 - 12.45 with ten mins paid.
As the children went out to play, I realised that the play of the children, especially with the boys seemed to get rowdier. Quite a number of the children (boys and girls) even showed some attitude when spoken to.
My perception of the staff at the centre is that they all seemed really busy and did not seem to catch on the verbal or non verbal cues that I had given. It was very different compared to the first centre in Penrith that I had been sent to.
I did not like that the staff in the preschool room had allowed the children to run, and as a result, some of the children knocked into each other. I didnt think they had very good ground rules for outdoor play.
I am not sure how trained the staff were, but I could see some OHS concerns. I dont agree in allowing children to wear Japanese slippers regardless of the seasons. Strapped
or velcro-strapped sandals are still acceptable though.
Some of the play equipment was placed too near the fencing, which is also a OHS concern as well.
When the permanent ECT from the preschool room came in, I mentioned this to her, but she did not seem to see this as a OHS hazard. I am quite particular in regards to OHS as this was the kind of environment I was exposed to in my previous work place.
Anyways, she (the ECT) asked me a few questions about my training and I mentioned about my Montessori
training. She was somewhat interested in it, and seemed to take a liking to me regardless of how 'dead' or 'self absorbed' the other staff seemed to be.
To end, her encouraging words were, 'You survived. Thats all that matters'.
For this shift, I had to leave Rhodes by 7am. I took the bus to Brookvale from Carrington st Stand C, and arrived at the centre about 7.45am.
The day started out easy, with the 3-4 year olds. There were 16 in attendance today. Lunch was at 12.05 - 12.45 with ten mins paid.
As the children went out to play, I realised that the play of the children, especially with the boys seemed to get rowdier. Quite a number of the children (boys and girls) even showed some attitude when spoken to.
My perception of the staff at the centre is that they all seemed really busy and did not seem to catch on the verbal or non verbal cues that I had given. It was very different compared to the first centre in Penrith that I had been sent to.
I did not like that the staff in the preschool room had allowed the children to run, and as a result, some of the children knocked into each other. I didnt think they had very good ground rules for outdoor play.
I am not sure how trained the staff were, but I could see some OHS concerns. I dont agree in allowing children to wear Japanese slippers regardless of the seasons. Strapped
or velcro-strapped sandals are still acceptable though.
Some of the play equipment was placed too near the fencing, which is also a OHS concern as well.
When the permanent ECT from the preschool room came in, I mentioned this to her, but she did not seem to see this as a OHS hazard. I am quite particular in regards to OHS as this was the kind of environment I was exposed to in my previous work place.
Anyways, she (the ECT) asked me a few questions about my training and I mentioned about my Montessori
training. She was somewhat interested in it, and seemed to take a liking to me regardless of how 'dead' or 'self absorbed' the other staff seemed to be.
To end, her encouraging words were, 'You survived. Thats all that matters'.
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