'references will be taken up before interview'

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Can they do this? Or can I ask that they don't contact my current employer yet?

It's for a teaching assistant job, which is a complete career change for me. I don't think I've got a massive chance of getting it, as the only experience I have is volunteering at DD's preschool, but I am really keen to work with kids so I thought I'd give it a try.

However I can just imagine my boss's face, and then if I don't get the job they'll know I'm trying to leave...

Yes in a school setting they can take up references before interview due to safeguarding.

You need to talk to your boss as it'll be worse if they ask for references and you haven't explained. Just explain it like you have on here. You'd love to work with children but on this occasion you don't think you'll get the job but you'd like to at least give it a good shot.

Good luck.

Could you put down the preschool manager as a referee with the proviso that they can contact your boss if you get the job?

Seems unfair - most employers are pretty understanding about the reference situation.

I once put please don't contact employer until you offer me a provision job offer as "in this current economic climate I do not want to place my current position at unnecessary risk"

Standard in schools.

Thanks- I am going to put the preschool manager as a reference, but you need two. Maybe I'll put something in my covering letter about letting me know before contacting current employer. Or could I get away with putting my last employer, not the most recent one, I wonder?

Thanks- I am going to put the preschool manager as a reference, but you need two. Maybe I'll put something in my covering letter about letting me know before contacting current employer. Or could I get away with putting my last employer, not the most recent one, I wonder?