Job promotion

[Brooksy]

Hi all,

Just need some advice, today i had a phone call from the person second in charge at my work ( who is a friend of mine), asking me if i wanted to be put in a higher position when i come back to work. I work at a child care centre and i was an assistant when i left and now they asked me if i want to be a group leader.

I just don't know what do, i was going back to work in a months time not because i wanted to but because financially i have to for our family. My little girl will be 10 weeks when i go back to work. Three days she will be looked after by her grandparents and two days she will be coming to work with me.

I just don't know how i will cope in this position with a newborn. My dh wants me to take it , but he said its up to me.


thanks for listening

brooksy


Brooksy 30
Dh 37
Rhiannon born 26th Dec 05

[Lilac]

I say DO it.
Reach for the stars,
Lx

[bingo]

I guess that all depends upon what extra responsibilities the new role would take on and how much overtime and extra committment that would require and if you are willing to do it. It's great news that they have offered you the role considering you are on maternity leave. What a great place to work at. You could always give it a try and if you find you can't cope with the extra workload perhaps you can go back to your original position? Or maybe ask if you can give it a trial period for a few months to see if you like it?
Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll do a great job whichever way you choose to go.

[Me]

Brooksy,
If you do take on the position then you find it is too much for you atm I'm sure your employer will understand if you say you'd like to step back from that position.
In the end though you just have to do what you feel is right for you - you have to be happy to have a happy bub!
Good luck,
Jess

[brooke]

if it was me and I was going back to work anyway I would do it... what a fantastic chance!
And how great that your little one can come to work with you!

[Brooksy]

Thanks for your thoughts and ecoragement, I have decided that i won't take on the extra responsibilities right now we have a busy 6mth ahead and i don't want to put stress on dh and bub. To be a group leader there is a lot more work involved and loads of paper work. Lots of people don't realise there is more to child care than playing with the kids, theres organising the program which you have to do from observations from each child every week. I don't want to be taking work home with me like some of the other girls do as i want home time to be with bub and dh.

Plus my mum has a type of lukeimia and has been told she has to have iv chemo once a month for 6mths, plus mum and dad are moving to their new house by the end of march and my sister is having her 2nd baby in july.

Im going down to work today to see how everyone is and touch base with the boss and tell her that i'll be coming back to work on the 6th March.



Brooksy

[brooke]

sorry to hear you didnt take the promotion!

I hope that everything works out for your mum.. sorry to hear she is sick!

[bingo]

Hi Brooksy,
After visiting a few child care centres I can appreciate how much work goes into them behind the scenes. There are so many kids running around, each with a different set of special needs and loving parents who just want their kids to be happy. Actually you might be a great person to chat to to get some advice when looking at child care centres and what happens in them? Would you mind helping me out and answering a few questions I've got seeing as you've got the experience of working in one and being a parent? I'm in the process of finding one for my child and I am so confused.
I'm really sad to hear that your Mum isn't well. It definitely sounds like you will be a very busy family with all the moving/babies and treatment that will be occurring in the next few months. It's great that you've decided to focus on your family. I'm sure that in time another opportunity will arise for you to step up in your career at a time that is more covenient to you and your family.

[Manxie]

Hi Brooksy

For what is worth I think you've made the right decision:D you will have the opportunity again when your life is a little less hectic I'm sure:D

I just wanted to say all the best for your mums chemo. A relative of mine has just had one lot of chemo thensurgery last week and is due for another bout of chemo and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Sending healing vibes your mums way:D

Good luck:D

[Brooksy]

Thanks everyone for you advice, i went down to work today telling them when i will be coming back to work, they are looking forward to having me back so that makes me feel good. Also i met the teacher that will be looking after my daughter as she is new and i hadn't met her before and she is lovely.

Bingo i will answer any questions you have about child care centres just ask away, i've been working in centre based child care for the past 5 years and before that i was a nanny oveseas and here in brisbane for 6 years.

[bingo]

Hi Brooksy,
OK I'm going to pick your brain for some advice here. I've been looking at childcare for Maddi as I'm due to go back to work in August, so she will be 10 months old then. I've looked at a council run facility and a private one (ABC centre). What is the difference between the two? A few friends have put in their opinion that I should avoid the ABC centres but haven't given me an explanation why.
When people say their centre has a program what does that mean?
Is there anything else I should look out for?
What is the normal process of leaving kids in childcare? I can't imagine just dropping Maddi off for the first time ever and just leaving her there to cry. Do parents usually go through a intro stage/process?
As you can see I've got a tonne of questions but I want to feel comfortable with my decision and talking to another Mum who has the experience is great and comforting.
Thanks!

[Brooksy]

Hi Bingo,

The difference between Abc and the council run one is that Abc makes a profit.
Which like many child care centres that are privately owned do. Abc happens to be the biggest chain in Australia and they have recently bought 450 centre in America. Personally there is nothing wrong with abc centres, not all abc centres are the same and what makes a centre good no matter which one it is is the staff who are running it and looking after the children. I've heard good and bad things about abc and a friend of mine has her children at abc and they have been really happy with the centre.

I know at my centre that i work at each room has a program suited for that age group which is done by the group leader by observations she takes on each child weekly to see how each child is developing in all areas. The program has to be up on the wall everyday so the parents can see what activities the children are doing daily. Also there is a "What we did today book" so parents can see what activities the children did, if they went outside, what songs they sang etc....


Things to look out for:

Is the centre clean
Do you and your child get greeted by the staff
Do the children look happy playing in the centre.
What food do you have to bring or do they provide food?
Are the staff supervising/ interacting the children properly.
Is there a parent communication book?
What is the signing in/out procedure?


Bingo what i would suggest before you go back to work is what ever centre you put Maddi in see if you can spend a couple of hours with her at the centre or let her start with half a day, then it won't seem so much all at once. This is what I suggest to lots of parents especially in the nursery and toddler rooms, and this is one way you get to know the people looking after Maddi.

Also go on your instinct bingo if you don't feel right about the centre go to another one that you feel good about. Also one thing to remember most kids cry on their first day of child care which makes mum feel really bad leaving them, after after 5/10 mins most children settle down and have a great day, it takes most children a couple of weeks to settle into a new place.





I hope this has helped you bingo if you have any more questions just ask
also abc has their own website www.childcare.com.au (just saw an add on tv for abc.)


brooksy

[bingo]

thanks so much for answering my questions and so quickly. I think I might continue to have a look around and take on board your suggestions for what to look out for and what to ask. It's pretty overwhelming the first time you go in there to check out the places. It really has been great to chat to you about it. If I think of any more questions I'll definitely be giving you a PM.
Thanks Brooksy!:D