Job Discussion Forums

Etheorial · Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 6 Location: New York, NY

I am applying to several chain schools in Taiwan, Jump Start/Head Start among them. However, they indicate in their requirements that they prefer people with a degree in "Early childhood education" I have a BA in history. Is that going to affect my chances of getting a job with them?

Also, how do they compare to Hess in terms of salary, training, treatment of employees?

Any information would be much appreciated.

brian · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 299

Aren't Jumpstart and Headstart based around a kindergarten immersion program? If so you may want to avoid them until the situation regarding these schools becomes clearer. You might be better off going for a chain that can place you with older kids to ensure that you are legal.

You will most likely not find much variation in the pay rates of the various chain schools. You might be best to concentrate on the terms and conditions that such schools offer. Personally, I think that they are all pretty much of a muchance, and I am sure that any of them would be okay provided that you are willing to just do your job.

One word of advice might be to try and get work in branch (company) owned schools rather than private franchises.

Okami · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Posts: 121 Location: Sunny Sanxia

Jumpstart is the kindergarten immersion program
Headstart is the after school english program

There pay is ok, make sure to get at least 55k/month. They do everything by the book and are a reasonably decent outfit to work for if your school manager isn't a psycho. They will have a lot of unpaid meetings and school activities, especially during your lunch hour, but they usually feed you during your lunch hour. Getting along with your co-teacher is crucial for your success.

Brian:
They are pretty well connected. I think that they will be able to weather the current storm as a lot of rich parents appreciate a progem like this.

CYA
Okami

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

I have three reports on the Head Start/Jump Start school, all private. They are all pretty bland in comparison to the usual complaints about schools on Taiwan.
The down side is that they are a chain school which means the pay is low and the work requirements will be very high.
A 6.5 out of 10 rating using an ascending scale.
Please read this,

http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.