Hiring for centres or even looking for a new role can be a really challenging task.
That’s why we reached out to Gina Rosenberg who, along with her husband Sam has owned and operated childcare centres for over 20 years. Check out the tips below.
First a little background:
Working with children has been a lifelong passion for Gina.
She believes the key is to really “see“ the child and what it is that the child needs to learn, grow and feel good about themselves.
“We want them to become incredible contributors to themselves, their family, their community and the wider world, and It’s the people that surround them that guide their future”
The Resume
It’s your very first introduction so be sure to provide a great resume. Include details on the following specific topics to really help supercharge that first impression.
Qualifications
Work experience
Extra curricular / hobbies
Career Goals.
Learning philosophies
References
Pre Interview
Brush up on your theories of child pedagogy, the EYLF, outcomes for children, belonging, becoming and being, as well as the regulations.
Do research on the centre, learn what’s important to them. It’s very important to show the interviewer that you share the same visions and goals.
At the Interview
Ensure you are a little early so you’re ready to go at your appointed time.
Key areas of interest:
A great attitude to teamwork
A sense of happiness
A willingness to work hard
A drive to continue to learn
Bring with you :
Certificates for any courses completed
Police check
First aid certificates
Examples of planning or documentation if you have these
The key areas that are always touched on:
Early Childhood Knowledge
Working as a team
Organisational and interpersonal skills
Experience
Flexibility and creativity
Examples of questions that might be asked:
How would you set up a room?
How would you supervise a room?
When running group time what do you like to do?
How do you approach indoor /outdoor play?
How do you deal with a challenging child?
Tell me about relationships with families and what you see as important?
What are your philosophies about children and how they learn?
One moment that has truly stuck with Gina:
“When we opened our first Early Learning Centre in 1996 on our final inspection by the health department, the Inspectors final words to me were,
“Remember your service is only going to be as good as your staff members’”
