All about Casual Relief Early Childhood Teaching

Casual Relief Teaching (CRT) also known as emergency or relief teaching is when a Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) or educator is engaged by kindergarten/long day care services to:

• replace an ECT or an educator on sick or annual leave
• replace an ECT or an educator on professional development training
• provide additional support to the service

Casual relief staff play an essential role in maintaining the care and education of children.

As a casual relief teaching staff, you will likely be contacted in the morning before the day begins, alternatively some services will seek a relief for a fixed (short) term. For example, someone taking extended leave, maternity leave, bereavement leave or in some cases while a service is recruiting. 

Working as a casual relief educator (both for Teachers and Educators) allows you to test the water before potentially applying for a permanent position. Casual relief teaching is also an excellent way of returning to the workforce after a career break, or if you are studying, the flexible nature of relief teaching is also useful.

Benefits of Casual Relief Teaching

Casual and temporary employment in early childhood education provides valuable experience for educators/teachers just starting out as graduates as well as for those seeking variety and new experiences in their career. It may be a preferred option for those who are wanting flexibility in order to balance work and family responsibilities.

Casual relief teaching can also provide pathways to permanent vacancies and give you opportunities to gain further skills and a chance to develop professional networks.

As a casual relief teacher you may receive a higher salary than permanent staff, as this includes a loading for sick and holiday pay.

What to Expect as a Relief Teacher Educator

There is no typical day, which is what makes it exciting. The days can be hectic and busy but also lots of fun.

Generally, you will be called the day before or early on the morning of the shift. These calls can catch you off guard, and the last thing you want to be doing is running around trying to get organised! It is a great idea to have everything ready to go so when that call comes in you just need to get dressed and go.

Once you commit to relief teaching it is important that on the days you are available, you have your phone fully charged and ready to answer any text/call.

Have your clothes and resources ready. This will assist you to be able to leave quickly and get to the service on time.

Effective relief staff are highly organised, punctual, and reliable. They exhibit flexibility and cope well when working in unfamiliar environments.

A new face turning up to an unfamiliar group of little faces can present its own challenges. Children may feel unsettled, and their behaviour may reflect this. Having a toolkit of behaviour managements strategies will be of great benefit. Often presenting confidence and being clear in your expectations will set the mood for the day.

Tips for a Successful Casual Relief Shift

When you arrive at your service it is important that you introduce yourself to the team members. Most services will have a Reliever's Folder available for relief staff, which we suggest you obtain and make yourself familiar with this document. You should also make yourself familiar with the day, know the timetable and what is planned. Find out if any children are on medication, have allergies or additional needs, and show a willingness to do what is needed. This will help you to receive a positive review and assist in obtaining further work.

• Come prepared – there are always times in the day when you may need to fill short gaps, it is worth having a few entertaining ideas to keep the children focused and engaged.
• Arrive early if time permits to familiarise yourself with the service and their daily routine.
• Bring relevant documents - ensure you have copies of Victorian Institute of Teaching registration (for ECT’s), educator qualifications, Working with Children Check (as applicable) and relevant first aid certificates.
• Dress appropriately and always bring your lunch and snacks as you may be required to eat with the children. You cannot be guaranteed a shop is close by. Make sure you take a wide brim hat in summer months.
• Be positive and build rapport with fellow staff.
• Ask questions – don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure.
• Clean up – be sure to leave the room clean and tidy.
• Leave feedback – it is very helpful if you can leave a note for the permanent staff letting them know how the day went and if there is anything you feel they should know or be aware of from the day.

Take your own bag of resources. Whilst the majority of services will have a program plan for the day, sometimes things don’t go as expected – having your own toolkit of resources to fall back on can be of tremendous assistance. It might be a favourite book to read, an instrument that you can play and sing along with or another type of resource your familiar with.

How McArthur Can Help

If you are looking for jobs in early childhood education, childcare recruitment agencies offers an ideal platform to connect talented job seekers with prospective employers. At McArthur, our experienced consultants with extensive industry knowledge are dedicated to simplifying the job search experience by providing tailored listings that meet your specific needs.

For more information, speak with our friendly team today.