E A RLY CH I LDHOO D
SARAH GOODE Lucindale Area School JOURNAL: When did you graduate? SARAH: I graduated in 2014 and started my first position in the second part of that year. I teach Year 5 students. JOURNAL: What are you looking forward to at the conference? SARAH: I went to the conference last year and loved it! I learnt so much. It was great networking with people from all over SA and to be with like-minded people who are all in the same boat. It is very well organised. JOURNAL: Why did you join the AEU? Why is union membership important? SARAH: It is important to know that there is support. I can always call on the people at the AEU. It also offers a lot of courses that are actually linked to what we need to know and don’t necessarily learn at university.
MADDIE HUNTER Memorial Oval Primary School Whyalla Playford JOURNAL: When did you graduate? MADDIE: I graduated at the end of 2015 and was lucky enough to get a job here after my last placement in my degree and moved to Whyalla from Adelaide in 2016. I’m teaching a Year 4/5 class this year. JOURNAL: What are you looking forward to at the conference? MADDIE: Other teachers have told me how amazing the conference is. I missed out on going last year so got my application in early this time. I’m looking forward to learning more about behaviour management strategies. JOURNAL: Why did you join the AEU? Why is union membership important? MADDIE: After learning about the history of union work in a recent PD in the Pub, I want to support the union who supports us. I come from a family of teachers who all encourage me to participate. It also offers so many good professional development programs. n
Permanency in preschools? You bet! AEU Early Childhood Organiser Emma Lowe outlines how permanency can be a reality for preschool staff.
S
ecure employment matters. It matters for the preschool trying to plan for lasting improvement and growth. It matters for the children we teach that deserve consistency and the opportunity to build genuine relationships with their educators. It matters for the individual trying to plan a life and build a career. As a teacher in a preschool, you have access to permanency. In 2014, the AEU successfully negotiated a new policy for the Recruitment and Selection of Teaching Staff in Preschools. This policy allows preschools to declare and advertise permanent vacancies. It was a significant change from the previous longstanding closed policy in which almost all vacancies were only accessible to existing permanent teachers. The new policy was an AEU win for employable teachers working in the early childhood sector.
So, how does it work? 1. Site (preschool workgroup) identifies and describes an ongoing vacancy. • Centrally managed appointments occur • Eligible country preschools convert eligible teachers to permanent.
Stay informed • Attend an upcoming DECD Recruitment and Selection Information Session • Check DECD Jobs in Term 3 for the advertised vacancies and apply for jobs • If you’re on contract, why is it the case? Could the position be made permanent? Ask the question • Is your teaching position fully or partially funded via Universal Access? This is tricky as this funding source is due to expire at the end of 2017. But do not give up! Permanency is a possibility for teachers working in preschools, but it does not happen automatically. Members need to understand the staffing processes. Be an active participant in declaring and applying for vacancies. And continue to campaign for secure n funding for preschools.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES 15 HOURS OF PRESCHOOL
2. Vacancy is advertised on DECD Jobs. 3. A panel is formed and makes recommendations. 4. Successful applicant is appointed. This is a general summary of the process. Members are encouraged to access the full policy and procedure documents from the DECD website or contact the AEU Information Unit Weekdays, 10:30am – 5:00pm on:
8272 1399
Participate in the AEU campaign to ensure Universal Access funding becomes permanent. This will help create many permanent jobs across the sector. Go to our campaign page (link below 5)
AEU078 ProtectPreschool Postcard 100x140 v3.indd 1
13/01/2017 9:46 PM
Sign our petition to stop funding cuts:
8: www.protectourpreschools.com.au 11