Hi! Good to see you hv the interest. I started when i was 19 in a language school then tried kindy and childcare. So i must say must hv the passion to be with children AND parents
Kindergarten
pros are:
1) shorter working hrs and mostly no work on sats. But usually 2 classes(some schs hv a back to back session meaning no break but eat with chn during their snack time) as in first session say 8.15am-11.15am, then a quick lunch/break followed by pm session say ard 11:45am-2.45pm. By the time the last child goes home sometimes drag to say 3pm+..if the parent is late in fetching.
2) No need supervise for showering as no showering for kindergarten children.
3) Following moe sch holidays as in march 1 week, june, sept/oct, dec-mostly paid hoildays but we have to allocate say some weeks for plannings in sch, meetings, washing of toys and disinfecting etc.
4) Meals mostly provided..but depending on the centre/sch, one might hv to byo or pay a fee.
Cons
1) Very rushing..as in u dont really hv individual time for each child much. Cos minus off the snack time/assembly time etc..u dun hv much time left to assess the child much-you will need this individual assessment for portfolios during pt #2...
2) Parent teachers meetings/conference mostly 2 times a year..one mid year one end year..(PTM/C) are always mindblowing..cos although allocate say 10-15 minutes per child some parents exceed the time (cos no choice i understand as only can talk into detail this time)
3) portfolio case file for each child- hv to do up a detailed report for each child, so if say you hv 15 children for am session class and 15 for pm session, you will hv to do 30 portfolios each ranging at least a few pages! So mostly our holidays are burned to do at these at home.
4) Year end concerts!! Hv to chorograph dance steps/ co ordinate songs/get costumes etc. Teach chn the steps etc..(same in cc)
5) Have to answer to parents and supervisors on safety/classroom issues like chn biting each other aggression etc well this happens everywhere both in cc and kindy.
6) Cover for colleagues who mc etc on top of your own class..as such mostly days are full..not much time for breaks...even toilet breaks difficult..(same in cc)
7) Pay low..we normally hv to hv another 2nd job elsewhere as a top up..most go enrichment ctrs etc
8) Outings are hectic! Cos whole school out and u hv to watch over each of the chn..usually the whole sch day both am and om sessions combined..so say meet 8.15, go off 8.30 then finish and back at 2-3 pm...tired! (same as cc but in cc they come back still need to supervise shower/lunch/nap) cos chn goes home later when parents fetch ard starting 5 onwards
9) Plan and submit lessonplans to supervisor--depending on ur sup, it might range from a comprehensive one detailing on many aspects or just a simple lesson plan)--applies to both cc and kindy
Childcare
Mostly open 7/7.30am-7pm or some 7.30pm, but yup u r right. We work in shift. Say Some days we rotate 7am-3pm, 10-7pm, oh and think one mid shift ard 8.30-5.30, which includes an hour lunchbreak usually. But mostly we stay in the centre doing our markings, prep work for materials, meetings etc. Then some staffs are perm half day morning,
Pros
1) Much time with children and bond with them..as they are mostly full day there, some come as early as 6.45am!! And the last to leave late at 7.15/7.30pm! You get free hugs and love
2) U will be able to concentrate on each child more, as in today target this area of development, the other day another part. Thus more tailored individual lesson plans and portfolios
3) Longer lunchbreaks as the time is flexi..up to u, u plan urself. But subject to your supervisor approval lah..
4) Pay better (with quali + experiences)
5) Some annual leaves, so u can opt to hv your holidays during the off peak period of time.
Cons
1) Year end concerts!!! See above points same as kindy
2) PTC/M - see above same as kindy
3) Alternate saturday work 7-1/2pm/2.30 mostly
4) Must supervise during showering--thus getting yourself wet
All in all, these are just some of the points i can think of now. i must say i personally prefer childcare though working hours longer and alternate sat but i bond with the children more and see them develop over thru the years. I also get to try a wider range of teaching methods and activities in the longe sch hours there. But this is a case of individual perference..you might want to try part time first and see..cos telling u verbally does not equal to the actual classroom experience..which is really a joy
the first kindergarten children i taught are now in jc! And they are still in touch lol..pre school education field is actually one of the most fullfilling and rewarding jobs in my opinion
