u/Ok-Employee7500

Hi everyone,

I’m currently an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) with a Graduate Diploma and about 5 years experience. I'm looking to upskill and enroll in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) soon through the Free TAFE initiative here in Victoria.

My long-term goal is to pivot out of long day care and move into vocational teaching (training future educators at TAFE/RTOs), higher ed casual marking, or delivering PD.

Because I’m juggling working, a toddler, and general life chaos, my absolute priority is finding a provider that is genuinely supportive, organised, and doesn't just ghost you.

A few questions for any teachers who have done the TAE40122 recently in Vic:

• Which TAFE or dual-sector uni did you use, and would you actually recommend them?
• Did you do online/face-to-face/ blended course?
• If you did it fully online (e.g., Kangan, Chisholm, Box Hill), how did they handle the practical teaching components? Was the simulated virtual environment well-organised?
• Did you manage to get any RPL for your teaching qualifications/ECT experience, or is it easier to just bite the bullet and complete the whole course?

Would love to hear your recommendations (and who I should actively avoid!).

Thanks in advance!

I’m looking to enroll in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) soon under the Free TAFE initiative here in Victoria.

I’m currently an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) with a Graduate Diploma and about 5 years of experience. My long-term plan is to move into vocational teaching (training future educators) or higher ed casual marking/PD delivery.
Because I’m balancing a toddler, working, and general life commitments, my absolute highest priority is finding a provider that is genuinely supportive and organised. I’ve read some absolute horror stories online about students being completely ghosted by trainers or left to drown in the massive compliance/assessment workload with zero guidance.

A few questions for anyone who has done the TAE40122 recently in Victoria:

• Which TAFE or dual-sector uni did you use, and would you actually recommend them?
• Did you do online course/ face-to-face course/ blended course?
• How responsive were the trainers when you hit a wall with the compliance units?
• If you did it fully online (e.g., Kangan, Chisholm, Box Hill, etc.), how did they handle the practical teaching components? Was the simulated environment straightforward?

Would love to hear the good, the bad, and who I should actively avoid.

Thanks in advance!

I’m an early childhood teacher in Australia with 5 years of experience. I’ve always loved working with children, but since having my baby, I’ve been finding it really hard to balance work and family life.

Working in early childhood education is very rewarding but also quite emotionally and physically demanding. By the time I get home, I feel completely drained, and I struggle to have energy left for my own child and myself. It’s starting to feel overwhelming and I’m not sure how other mums in similar roles manage it.

I’m wondering if anyone here has been through something similar—working in childcare or a similar demanding job while raising young children.

Did you find ways to make it more sustainable, or did you end up changing careers? If you switched, what did you move into and how did you start? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or advice.

I’m an early childhood teacher with 5 years of experience, and I used to genuinely love what I do. But since having kids, I’ve been feeling increasingly overwhelmed trying to balance work, family, and personal life.

As you probably know, ECE is emotionally and physically demanding. I give so much of my energy to the children during the day, and by the time I get home, I feel completely drained. I don’t feel like I’m showing up as the parent or partner I want to be, and it’s starting to take a toll on me.

I’ve been thinking about a possible career switch, but I feel unsure about where to go from here.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you find ways to make it more sustainable, or did you transition into a different career? If you switched, what did you move into and how did you start?

I’d really appreciate any advice or shared experiences. Thank you 🙏

I’m an early childhood teacher with about 5 years of experience, and I used to genuinely love what I do. But since having kids, I’ve been feeling increasingly overwhelmed trying to balance work, family, and personal life.

As you probably know, ECE is emotionally and physically demanding. I give so much of my energy to the children during the day, and by the time I get home, I feel completely drained. I don’t feel like I’m showing up as the parent or partner I want to be, and it’s starting to take a toll on me.

I’ve been thinking about a possible career switch, but I feel unsure about where to go from here.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you find ways to make it more sustainable, or did you transition into a different career? If you switched, what did you move into and how did you start?

I’d really appreciate any advice or shared experiences. Thank you 🙏

I’m an early childhood teacher with about 5 years of experience, and I used to genuinely love what I do. But since having kids, I’ve been feeling increasingly overwhelmed trying to balance work, family, and personal life.

As you probably know, ECE is emotionally and physically demanding. I give so much of my energy to the children during the day, and by the time I get home, I feel completely drained. I don’t feel like I’m showing up as the parent or partner I want to be, and it’s starting to take a toll on me.

I’ve been thinking about a possible career switch, but I feel unsure about where to go from here.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you find ways to make it more sustainable, or did you transition into a different career? If you switched, what did you move into and how did you start?

I’d really appreciate any advice or shared experiences. Thank you 🙏

Hi everyone,

I’m flying international with Jetstar soon from Melbourne (to Vietnam) with my baby and I’m trying to figure out the best move for our stroller. It’s a foldable model (56cm x 23cm x 36cm), which I know technically fits the cabin dimensions.

However, I’d prefer to gate-check it so I don't have to worry about the 7kg carry-on weight limit or taking up locker space.

A few questions for those who have flown Jetstar recently:

• Gate Check: Have you had any issues gate-checking a stroller of this size for free (not counting as baggage)? Did they insist it be in a bag even for the cargo hold?
• International Arrivals: In your experience, do you get the stroller back at the gate when you land, or do you have to wait until the oversized baggage carousel? (Worried about navigating immigration line without it!)
• Staff Strictness: Are they usually pretty relaxed about 'infant items' at the gate, or should I be prepared for them to weigh it?

Would love to hear any 'lessons learned' from parents who have done this route recently. Thanks