Would you recommend creche work/ childcare as a career?

Hello 1

Ok, so I had been working in a crèche for the past two years or so. I loved the job, and interacting with the children, but felt that I just did n't 'fit in' with the team I worked with.

I'm not put completely off the idea of applying for other crèche based jobs, but my family are again s't me applying for another job in child care, because I had such a bad experience in my last job, (bullying, scapegoating, etc, etc.)
To re iterate above, I loved the job and working with the children, but my family go on and on about changing my area of work entirely, and do something else, but I really am not keen on doing so. The pay might not have been great, but it did n't matter to me - I was n't in the job for the money solely. I left on good terms with the management upon leaving.

No matter what I do, they keep telling me to apply for all these jobs that have nothing to do with my qualification ( honours degree in childcare), but in all honesty I don't want any other kind of job.

Any advice? Are they right in saying it's a dead - end job with no prospects, poorly paid, that childcare degrees are worthless, and that all employers want is someone with a Level 5 who can actually do the job, has experience, who will settle for minimum wage, are just another bit of cheap labour from the back of a dole queue, and will choose them every time over someone with a good qualification with experience?

Thanks for reading.

pwurple

Any job is what you make of it.

A tesco shop floor shelve stacker on minimum wage can progress up the chain to regional manager or beyond.

A childcare worker can become manager, own their own Creche or chain of Creche’s. Write a book, consult on setups etc.

There is a path if you want it to be there and have the inclination. Or, if you are happy staying put, that’s fine too.

endacl

My tuppence worth, for what it’s worth.....

Supply and demand. I teach in an institution that offers plc courses. One of these courses is the QQI Level 5 in Childhood Care and Education. There are bajillions (possible exaggeration) of like institutions offering this course. Why? Because it fills each year, and because it ‘feeds into industry’. Each year we churn out a class of (by and large) young women, delighted to be recruited by any one of the plethora of crèches that sprang up since the government offered each child in Ireland a free year of pre-school education. There are enough qualified young people released into the jobs market every year to populate this industry several times over. Due to the government subsidy, there is a population of parents happy and financially able to populate the industry with toddlers.

So. There is an industry that can charge a premium, with a yearly renewing customer base, and a surplus of people to do the actual work. If you stay in childcare, you’ll always be on the minimum possible, in terms of pay and conditions, and there will always be somebody (who doesn’t need your degree) ready and naively willing to take your job if you leave it.

Tl;dr. A great business to be in, if you own the business. A crap industry to work in though. Sad to say, your family are right.

Hello 1

endacl wrote: »

My tuppence worth, for what it’s worth.....

Supply and demand. I teach in an institution that offers plc courses. One of these courses is the QQI Level 5 in Childhood Care and Education. There are bajillions (possible exaggeration) of like institutions offering this course. Why? Because it fills each year, and because it ‘feeds into industry’. Each year we churn out a class of (by and large) young women, delighted to be recruited by any one of the plethora of crèches that sprang up since the government offered each child in Ireland a free year of pre-school education. There are enough qualified young people released into the jobs market every year to populate this industry several times over. Due to the government subsidy, there is a population of parents happy and financially able to populate the industry with toddlers.

So. There is an industry that can charge a premium, with a yearly renewing customer base, and a surplus of people to do the actual work. If you stay in childcare, you’ll always be on the minimum possible, in terms of pay and conditions, and there will always be somebody (who doesn’t need your degree) ready and naively willing to take your job if you leave it.

Tl;dr. A great business to be in, if you own the business. A crap industry to work in though. Sad to say, your family are right.

So, it would make you wonder why there are such childcare degree courses, if all employers want is the equivalent of a Leaving cert for a crèche job.
IMO, if that is the case, there should n't be the option of doing a degree in the area, if all you serve to do is waste time and money on a qualification that employers don't want.

endacl

Hello 1 wrote: »

So, it would make you wonder why there are such childcare degree courses, if all employers want is the equivalent of a Leaving cert for a crèche job.
IMO, if that is the case, there should n't be the option of doing a degree in the area, if all you serve to do is waste time and money on a qualification that employers don't want.

It would indeed. Out of interest, did you do your degree in an IT?

Hello 1

endacl wrote: »

It would indeed. Out of interest, did you do your degree in an IT?

Yes, it was. Totally regret wasting years of my life on such a worthless qualification.

A2LUE42

Having seen how the brilliant girls in the crèche were discarded and replaced after years of service, I'd be very cautious about recommending it as a career choice for anyone. Also poor pay and few benefits seem to be the norm, with little chance of improvement.

endacl

Hello 1 wrote: »

Yes, it was. Totally regret wasting years of my life on such a worthless qualification.

I had a feeling. ITs are in the business of filling places and selling courses these days.

You didn’t waste years of your life. You qualified to degree level in a field you are interested in. If you want to compare ‘worthless’ qualifications, my degree is in music! If you are passionate about your field, consider pathways that don’t leave you in the trenches. There are many. If you don’t want to continue in the industry, because, let’s face it, that’s what it is, there are lots of retraining options available to you.

Gavin "shels"

A2LUE42 wrote: »

Also poor pay and few benefits seem to be the norm, with little chance of improvement.

This ^

My OH works as a childcare worker and has 7+ years experience (including a few years in some of the big named creches in Ireland) plus a Level 6 Qualification in Childcare. €11 per hour seems near enough the general top end of the scale of pay with no benefits (not even sick pay). Not to mention the shift work, most places seem to have rotation shifts which can start from 7 and end up until 6.30/7pm.

She loves working with kids mind you and don't think she'd change career at the drop of a hat but financially it's not great and as I've mentioned the shifts will potentially become difficult if you have kids, other commitments, etc...

Turn over of staff in the industry seems mental too.

OMM 0000

Is it possible to do a teaching diploma?

You could try to become a teacher, e.g. an English teacher in Asia. You can make decent money.

Wanderer78

Poor pay and conditions, is generally what I hear so....

GaGa21

Would you think about working as a Nanny? I did a course in childcare and creche work but did not enjoy my creche work experience either. I registered with a Nanny agency and have had a career as a Nanny for 20 years now.
I have travelled to America and Australia and other countries with families I've worked for and have such close bonds with the children as it's one on one compared to a creche. Money can be better too once you have experience especially if you work in high profile positions.
So I would recommend childcare as a career, it is very rewarding. But just choose the right path. With your education, you can get great jobs privately.

I would suggest a few things if you love children, become a nanny my niece is paid more than the first year of a primary school teacher for being a nanny to 2 children.

Redo your Irish and become a primary school teacher.

If you are happy to go to the UK do a pediatric nursing post grand some of the courses are only two years.

https://www.southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/postgraduate/taught_courses/pgdip_child_nursing.page.

You could do this in two years if you have a 2.2 in your degree.

TallGlass

Hello 1 wrote: »

Yes, it was. Totally regret wasting years of my life on such a worthless qualification.

The career is a bit of an awful area to work in from what I hear, I must know of about 4/5 people who are now in different industries.

I would however disagree with you when you say the above. You've a degree, doesn't matter what in, it proves your capable completing one.

Spring Board offer conversion courses so that you can get another degree in another area, I am not sure if the term is 4 years as it may be something smaller.

The only option you have to be honest, is either go it alone and start up your own business or change industry, I wouldn't stay in that industry, there is no respect for staff, everyone is on edge, management are shocking in majority of places, not good for your health.

OMM 0000

TallGlass wrote: »

You've a degree, doesn't matter what in, it proves your capable completing one.

Yes, and it's quite easy to use the degree to get a different qualification, e.g. a masters in X, a postgrad diploma in Y, etc.

For example, I know loads of people who did an arts degree and then a postgrad in IT. They now work as programmers, product managers, etc.

Hello 1

Thanks for the replies everybody.

So, do you think I should stay in the 'childcare field' as it were?

As I say, I love the job and interacting with the children, so do you think love of the job is the measure of what I should do next?

salmocab

Hello 1 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everybody.

So, do you think I should stay in the 'childcare field' as it were?

As I say, I love the job and interacting with the children, so do you think love of the job is the measure of what I should do next?

Just stumbled on this, my wife is a crèche manager and actually finds it difficult to get staff, most of her staff are there quite a few years and there seems to be a good vibe around when I’m in, it’s not a well paid job as you know but if you love the work maybe finding the right crèche for you might change things.

OMM 0000

Hello 1 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everybody.

So, do you think I should stay in the 'childcare field' as it were?

As I say, I love the job and interacting with the children, so do you think love of the job is the measure of what I should do next?

Personally, I would "upgrade" to teacher.

If you're into travel, you can make big money working at an international school.

Sleeper12

My daughter is a child care worker in the creche. She loves it. Loves the kids. At night & on her day off she's planning stuff & making things to put on the walls in her room in the creche.

Problem is she gets little more than minimum wage despite her qualifications and certificates. I don't see much chance of wages going higher in the industry as parents and government wants to reduce the cost of childcare.

My daughter is 26 next birthday and I don't see her ever owning her own home unless she meets someone that earns a hell of a lot more than she does. She still lives at home and I don't think she could even afford to rent somewhere let alone buy

Hello 1

Anyone else notice that childcare staff earn as much weekly wage, as the equivalent of JobSeekers Allowance?

Also anyone else notice that most childcare workers are recruited from those on Social Welfare payments?

Just an observation.

salmocab

Hello 1 wrote: »

Anyone else notice that childcare staff earn as much weekly wage, as the equivalent of JobSeekers Allowance?

Also anyone else notice that most childcare workers are recruited from those on Social Welfare payments?

Just an observation.

JSA is less than 200 euro your surely not earning that for 40 hours

Hello 1

salmocab wrote: »

JSA is less than 200 euro your surely not earning that for 40 hours

Well around the mark of 200 - 300 Euro a week doing 30-39 hours. Still not a lot of take home pay.

Hello 1

Hello 1 wrote: »

Well around the mark of 200 - 300 Euro a week doing 30-39 hours. Still not a lot of take-home pay.

But it is not the same a JSA, a 39 hour week on min wages is 360.75 not a lot of money but you would not be paying much tax.

Giving out about childcare degrees and conditions of employment in childcare won't change things.

There is a lot of other child care related jobs where you could make more money and you are in the fortunate position of having a degree.

€334.00 is the weekly take-home pay for 39 hours a week on minimum wage

http://services.deloitte.ie/tc/

GalwayGrrrrrl

If you really love working with children look into masters degrees or other courses that would enable you to work with children in a different role. Off the top of my head - social care worker, children’s nurse, child psychologist, sports leaders etc I’ve even heard of health promotion masters graduates working in schools doing health research. I know when you are young it’s great to say “I love the job, not worried about salary” but when you are older and living on the breadline with your own children money becomes more important!

nala2012

I also have a degree in early education and am currently working in a community creche. I'm on a good wage but I did lots of other courses including linc. I'm a supervisor and room leader in preschool. Stay with it if you enjoy it. Creches receive higher capitation in ecce rooms with your degree so aim to work in a preschool.

Stheno

Hello 1 wrote: »

Anyone else notice that childcare staff earn as much weekly wage, as the equivalent of JobSeekers Allowance?

Also anyone else notice that most childcare workers are recruited from those on Social Welfare payments?
.

were you taken on as your employer got a payment to do so?

Hello 1

nala2012 wrote: »

I also have a degree in early education and am currently working in a community creche. I'm on a good wage but I did lots of other courses including linc. I'm a supervisor and room leader in preschool. Stay with it if you enjoy it. Creches receive higher capitation in ecce rooms with your degree so aim to work in a preschool.

Thanks so much for the reply. The service provider in the crèche I worked in was also receiving higher capitation, as I worked in the ECCE room. However, I only ever got the minimum wage despite the service's financial gain by employing me with my level of education. I don't know if this is just the way it is with all services receiving the capitation, just my experience of it.

Hello 1

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

If you really love working with children look into masters degrees or other courses that would enable you to work with children in a different role. Off the top of my head - social care worker, children’s nurse, child psychologist, sports leaders etc I’ve even heard of health promotion masters graduates working in schools doing health research. I know when you are young it’s great to say “I love the job, not worried about salary” but when you are older and living on the breadline with your own children money becomes more important!

Thanks for the reply.

I take on board your viewpoint. However, I doubt that anybody who is truly serious and passionate about working in the early years sector, is just there to earn a living, and that all it is at the end of the day is 'just a job' It is certainly one of those professions that is highly responsible, and nobody truly serious about their job is in it for the money. In that case, if money is all that someone is looking for, when they are 'on the breadline with their own children' there is a myriad of plenty of other lines of work that are much better paid than child care work. I firmly believe childcare is a vocation, and certainly not the right job for everyone.

I also think that (I am open to correction on this) that surely most people who apply for crèche jobs would have to have been entering into that type of work with their eyes wide open when applying.
By this, I mean, surely they must have known all too well that the job is (in most cases) poorly paid, and the work is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, and that it is known to be one of society's most 'looked down on professions' there is, ( in comparison to, for example, a primary school teacher).

GalwayGrrrrrl

Well you asked for advice and we’ve given it. If you chose to ignore it that’s your prerogative. I wish you good luck with your career.

TallGlass

I don't think childcare is a vocation to be honest, been a priest is a vocation, you dedicate your life to it. Been a parent is a vocation. Not trying to be little you.

You've a degree and your getting minimum wage after years off effort.

It's time to move on either to something that appreciates your degree or onto another industry, that would be similar in dedication needed like childcare but more rewarding. Nursing, Vet, Doctor even.

Hello 1

Thank you for the reply.

Postgrad10

Keep an eye on active link for jobs working with the county childcare committees , TUSLA, research type jobs, youth work , Bernardo's. It would be a great experience for you to see the other side of working with children and then you'll really know if it's the career for you. Also you could possibly register as a further education teacher with the teaching council and getting teaching or tutoring on the level 5/6 courses.

Hello 1

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

If you really love working with children look into masters degrees or other courses that would enable you to work with children in a different role. Off the top of my head - social care worker, children’s nurse, child psychologist, sports leaders etc I’ve even heard of health promotion masters graduates working in schools doing health research. I know when you are young it’s great to say “I love the job, not worried about salary” but when you are older and living on the breadline with your own children money becomes more important!

Thanks for the reply, xfactorfan23, getting back to your point above about how when someone is young it's great to say "I love the job but not worried about salary"....

It is widely known that crèche work is very badly paid. Yet there are obviously still people employed in the sector as crèche workers (or else all crèches countrywide would be closing down) It seems be the norm nowadays that crèche workers complain constantly about the poor payscale, but my question is this....
"Who forces anyone to take up work in a crèche?" If all people are going to do when in the job is moan and complain that there is no money in it for workers, the answer is very simple....
Find a better paid job - if this means changing sector altogether to earn better money and standard of living then so be it. I mean, surely those who seek work in childcare must have done their homework on the payscale BEFORE they looked for a career in childcare work? If they felt the pay was not sustainable for a decent standard of living, then they really should n't be working in the sector at all, find a better paid job that still involves working with children, for example, a primary school teacher, it would mean they still get to work with children, but will be paid much much more than a crèche worker.

GalwayGrrrrrl

The majority of Crèche workers are young women still living at home or with friends like a student. You rarely see independent women in their 30s working in crèches. They either move to do childminding in their own homes or stay at home with their own children, or move to a better paid career. I’m my opinion a lot of crèche workers are naive young women who like working with children but haven’t thought through the long term practicalities of renting or buying a house and being able to live independently. Don’t be that person!

Hello 1

nala2012 wrote: »

I also have a degree in early education and am currently working in a community creche. I'm on a good wage but I did lots of other courses including linc. I'm a supervisor and room leader in preschool. Stay with it if you enjoy it. Creches receive higher capitation in ecce rooms with your degree so aim to work in a preschool.

Thanks for the reply. Out of interest do you earn the minimum wage or above it with the higher capitation?

Hello 1

Hello 1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, xfactorfan23, getting back to your point above about how when someone is young it's great to say "I love the job but not worried about salary"....

It is widely known that crèche work is very badly paid. Yet there are obviously still people employed in the sector as crèche workers (or else all crèches countrywide would be closing down) It seems be the norm nowadays that crèche workers complain constantly about the poor payscale, but my question is this....
"Who forces anyone to take up work in a crèche?" If all people are going to do when in the job is moan and complain that there is no money in it for workers, the answer is very simple....
Find a better paid job - if this means changing sector altogether to earn better money and standard of living then so be it. I mean, surely those who seek work in childcare must have done their homework on the payscale BEFORE they looked for a career in childcare work? If they felt the pay was not sustainable for a decent standard of living, then they really should n't be working in the sector at all, find a better paid job that still involves working with children, for example, a primary school teacher, it would mean they still get to work with children, but will be paid much much more than a crèche worker.

That a bit all over the place, the reason they do it is that they like children, they are usually young and the pay does not become an issue until they are older. A big factor is .. hair or care are the two areas those with weaker academic ability go into ask any career guidance teacher.

That does not mean they won't go on to do a degree in child care and then do something else.

nala2012

xfactorfan23 wrote: »

The majority of Crèche workers are young women still living at home or with friends like a student. You rarely see independent women in their 30s working in crèches. They either move to do childminding in their own homes or stay at home with their own children, or move to a better paid career. I’m my opinion a lot of crèche workers are naive young women who like working with children but haven’t thought through the long term practicalities of renting or buying a house and being able to live independently. Don’t be that person!

Where did you do your research? There are 20 staff in creche I work in more than half are over 30 and living independently... Problem is a lot of people seem to have zero respect for work we do.

nala2012

Hello 1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Out of interest do you earn the minimum wage or above it with the higher capitation?

I have a degree and experience, I don't care what career you're talking about you should be on well above minimum wage. If a creche doesn't respect your qualifications apply to a different one!

GalwayGrrrrrl

I’ve 12 years with my children in various creches in West of Ireland. Not official research, but my personal observation.

Hello 1

nala2012 wrote: »

I have a degree and experience, I don't care what career you're talking about you should be on well above minimum wage. If a creche doesn't respect your qualifications apply to a different one!

Thank you, I totally agree, it's totally unfair of the crèche management to claim higher capitation on the basis on the staff's member's Early Years degree, yet still pay that staff member the minimum wage, i.e. the same wage as a basic Level 5 or 6 Childcare staff. Very ungrateful of them too. The management would not see a penny of that capitation only for the degree holding staff member in the first place.

I would imagine there is a difference between the pay in large urban areas where the supply of staff is tighter versus rural areas where choices of employment are less. That is just a fact of life.

Care work of all sorts is not valued by society its not possible to make or force society to respect something.

applejunkie

I wouldn't recommend it at all tbh. I worked in childcare for 9 years and in the same place for 7 of those. I did my Level 5 and 6 in childcare(which I had to pay for myself) and was still lucky to clear 370 after tax a week. I loved my job but it wasn't paying enough for the amount of work I had to do (I was a room leader) and for the hours spent outside work planning the curriculum and weekly activities and after hours meetings and mandatory Saturday courses I had to attend so I made the decision to find a new career.
I have completely changed careers and I am on a much higher wage now and with less working hours and no work to bring home I find I am much happier too.
Obviously the decision is yours to make but I wouldn't go back to childcare now at all.

GaGa21

applejunkie wrote:

I have completely changed careers and I am on a much higher wage now and with less working hours and no work to bring home I find I am much happier too.

Can I ask what career you changed to? I am looking at changing from childcare but am at a loss as to what. I would rather not have to go back to study again to retrain but having a mortgage to pay, I don't want to earn minimum wage either. Any ideas welcome!

applejunkie

GaGa21 wrote: »

Can I ask what career you changed to? I am looking at changing from childcare but am at a loss as to what. I would rather not have to go back to study again to retrain but having a mortgage to pay, I don't want to earn minimum wage either. Any ideas welcome!

Hi.
I actually joined the civil service and have got
a promotion since I joined 2 years ago . I am now on about 8000 euro a year more than when I was in childcare and the hours are great

GaGa21

applejunkie wrote:

Hi. I actually joined the civil service and have got a promotion since I joined 2 years ago . I am now on about 8000 euro a year more than when I was in childcare and the hours are great

Did you do anything to retrain or just apply for the job?

august12

GaGa21 wrote:

Did you do anything to retrain or just apply for the job?

Log on to publicjobs.ie, I think the application is open for clerical officer in civil service, starting pay is low but there are promotion opportunities, apply anyway, nothing to lose

applejunkie

GaGa21 wrote: »

Did you do anything to retrain or just apply for the job?

No I just applied through Public Jobs . There's a Clerical Officer (entry grade) competition on at the moment so you should apply . You get all training on the job and if you want to do a degree/masters there is a refund of fees scheme in the civil service too.