MTaylor

Hi, I am a primary school teacher with 22 years experience of working in Early Years and KS1 as well as experience throughout KS2. My main expertise is in Early Years and when I qualified many moons ago the age range I qualified to teach was from 4-11, however I have also taught in Nursery age 3-4. I've noticed that there is a demand for Early Years specialists and not so much for Primary School age ranges. I was just wondering if there wa anyone over there who could help guide me in the best direction to either go for Early Years without the professional early years qualification that came out after I qualified but with plenty of expertise and now running an EYFS setting, or to go ahead with the primary age phase???? Also my Husband runs his own window fitting company here in UK but not sure which category he would fit into? Would it be joiner/glazier as he does both?? He is a qualified Engineer(Turning/Milling in Steel Fabrication) but has been in window trade for 16 years now and doing ok. We have three children age: 17,14 and 8 and all keen to go to NZ . Would you definitely recommend??? Sorry its so long this thread but just about to put in an expression of interest and our family in Orewa(Auckland) and Hoon Hay (Christchurch) are so keen for us to make the move. Just so daunting!! Thanks everyone for your help and any advice you can give.

Bo-Jangles

Have you run your details through the points indicator?

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/pointsindicator/

Not sure how up to speed you are with regards the teaching job situation as lately there has been a lot in the media to suggest that teachers are no longer in short supply. Most teaching jobs were downgraded / removed from the skills shortage lists, where previously being a teacher would have almost guaranteed that you would secure a visa.

Window fixing will also be a whole different ballgame to what your OH is used to, they call them joiners here. Suggest perhaps some research required in what the standard window and double glazing arrangements are here (mostly aluminium); your OH might be well placed for a business opportunity.

MTaylor

Thanks for that! We were considering setting up a business as an option for my Husband and maybe myself too!! We sent our relatives a market research questionnaire to give to their friends and colleagues etc to find out more about the window fitting trade in their areas so just waiting to hear back from them at the moment. Our relatives in Christchurch had told us about the schools in their area making cuts and some schools even amalgamating!! We have three children who are keen to go but as you know yourself you have to do lots of research first! We are just fed up of the rat race here and although we know we will still be working in NZ just want to get off the conveyor belt and spend better quality time with our children out of work hours, something we struggle with here. I'm sure you've heard it all before and we really do appreciate all you help and advice.

MTaylor

Oh I forgot to say that I have run my info through the points indicator and we had more points than required so we qualify to put in an EOI. So that's our next step to see how we get on.

luvwelly

I would suggest you compare teaching salaries...likely to be much lower than you are used to.
I personally think moving a family with late age teens is pretty risky but if you have family in NZ that may make it less so.
NZ is just as much of a rat race in fact in many ways it is worse as it is so isolated(limited employment market). Try less heavily populated areas of the UK to get that 'less rat racey' feeling first.

Have you visited NZ before?

Spacecake799

I was going to ask the exact same thing. What family do you have there and have you been before?
What do your teenagers like to do? What is your 17 yr old doing at the moment?
Schooling is very different in NZ being a teacher are you happy with how things are taught there will you be able to fill in any gaps that may arise.
Also as many people will tell you people still do exactly the same in NZ as they do in England. Work, shop, cleaning etc only difference is the scenery is amazing there. Not enough if you are struggling though.
Remember if your older child decides its not for them and they are going to return. You all return or they go alone.

Good Luck

AndyEvs

Hi there,

my wife is a primary trained teacher (trained for the same range as you). Getting a teaching job here is much harder than it was when we first arrived. In New Plymouth, where we are, it is quite a closed shop and the people who grew up here seem to pick up the primary jobs, most of the primary school teachers went to school together, trained at teacher's college together and are married to the relatives of the rest of the staff.
It would probably be a lot easier in the bigger cities and the tougher schools.
Now for the bad news......
Despite an honours degree, 10 years teaching in the UK and a couple more in the Middle East (teaching early years), her teaching qualification and experience does not mean she can work as an early years teacher!
She is currently a couple of months into her Early Years Diploma (through Massey). As a resident she qualifies for a slightly reduced charge but it is still expensive.
She also works part-time in a childcare centre and juggling that with online study is very tough. She has endless essays to write and 4 teaching practices to complete.
At the end of this she will be qualified to work in kindergarten/early years etc which brings the benefits of increased pay and longer holidays. However the holiday situation is changing. Childcare centres (which are in competition with kindys) are open almost all year long and for longer hours. Kindergartens are under pressure to match this which will eventually have to happen.
Feel free to pm us and ask any specific questions about the course, teaching in NZ etc.

Snap Shot

That about sums it up really. Good luck, however.

Fishy

I would endorse exactly what has already been said. Teaching is a closed shop, have experience of being the 50th applicant for a temporary maternity primary position. Relief teaching has dried up as so much competition. Teaching graduates at Victoria were told last year only 20% of them would get a job and advised to move abroad!
Yes, you do need specific ECE qualification to work in ECE centres here, even as uk qualified whch is gaulling.Its a very specific NZ centred curriculum and quite different from the UK. (I am qualified 3-13 yrs with experience of being Nursery school Deputy and 24 yrs teaching experience in Uk.)
Cost of living is high and worse off than in Uk (Even though we are mortgage free here we need 2 salaries) but worth it as we enjoy the natural beauty of NZ, but if you don't like that sort of thing then it's not for you.
Glass fitting in CHCH could be good as there is a huge rebuild just starting. 17 a difficult age. My eldest was 14 when we came and looking back he has found it more difficult than younger to find his way and I think its because he lost his sense of place. Drugs seem really prevalent here. Uni here seems much harder than UK and school much easier, so kids aren't prepared for uni. Sorry to sound negative, but that's my view after 7 years.

M_and_M

Hi there. Follow my blog (see below) and contact me if you need to. I am a special needs teacher, moved here about 3 weeks ago (OH still in UK finishing up the house sale) and I have been seconded to work as an outreach teacher in a local primary school.

feel free to ask me any questions you need to! (but, for another 2 weeks my internet is sketchy till I move into my new house!)

MTaylor

Thanks so much everybody!! Lots of great advice from people who have made the move and have experienced the job market!! I have my cousin who moved to Orewa, Auckland and he has 4 children and my OH has and uncle and aunt as well as cousins in Hoon Hay Christchurch. We are veering towards Christchurch over Auckland just purely for the fact of the re-build and my OH having more of a chance to get into the window business rather than relying on me and the state of the teaching profession and vacancies over there. Lots to think about and weigh up and trying to not look at things through rose coloured glasses too!! Weve never been to NZ but relying alot on what family have said and googling lots too but couldnt make the move anyway without going first!! We really do appreciate all your advice this is such a great tool to use for all those unanswered questions! Cheers !!