jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree?

jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree?

by: nat1958 - 04-04-08 00:48

hi im currently near the end of my first yr of my BA early childhood studies degree and i wondered if anyone had done this degree and what jobs they went into? i qualified as an NVQ 3 nursery nurse with 3 1/2 yrs experience of working in a nursery before my course and dont want to be stuck in an office, i still want a job that has contact with children once i graduate. can anyone help me? or know where i could look for jobs/ideas!!! thanks!

by: CH

Hi, I've just done a foundation degree and I am now at uni doing my final year of a BA Honours in early childhood studies. When I finish I want to work in a school as support staff or something and as i'll have the BA hons you can go into teaching through a PGCE in the future if you wish too, which I might look into. By 2010 the government are bringing in a thing so that there has to be a graduate in every setting, and in 2015 there has to be staff with the early years professional status. I may also do the EYPS as with the honours degree you can do it in 3 months which is great. Have you had any more ideas about what you'd like to do? You'll def be able to get a job with children with your degree, so I wouldn't worry about being stuck in a office :)

by: grumpymum

I have someone working for me with the BA in Early Childhood studies.  She is doing a lot of work on bedding in EYFS for us and heading up the pre-school room. She will be doing her EYPS (fast track) in January.

by: rochelle

I graduated from this degree with a 2:1 (just missed a first :@). I am really struggling to find related work as Im finding everything is really poorly paid. Im working in an office at the moment and really hate it so I understand your worries!!

TBH I am starting to regret doing this degree as Im finding it difficult to use. If you can do the EYPS then go for it as it will be essential as mentioned by 'CH'. Unfortunately i cannot do the EYPS in 3 months as i dont have enough experience of working within an early years setting :(

 Hope everything works out for you though!!

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 22-08-09 13:46

by: Angel

Hi i guess everyone is struggling with this degree. I qualified two years ago and applied to 3 jobs and once to the GTP and was not successful. Although i have a degree in Early Years and have over 8 years experience as a nursery nurse my experience nor degree is of value or substance. I'm still working as a nursery nurse and on a very low wage.

This year if luck is on my side I might apply to complete my degree into social work or may give teaching another go.

I would advise anybody thinking of doing this degree 'DON'T DO IT'. It's a waste of time and energy.

 

by: Karine

Hi

I am doing the BA Hons in Childhood studies too.  We have heard so many negative sides, some have already dropped out.  The negatives are that schools will not recognise the BA in Childhood studies as they already have teachers who are obviously graduates - but we argue teaching staff do not have the basics of child development and struggle with the EYFS in relation to providing PLAY for learning as opposed to Education through and through.

The other aspect with the BA is that there are far and few jobs that will pay for this qualification.  The same applies to the EYPS - a setting will usually only require one person - that will often be the Manager as they will receive the enhanced salary and not the other staff!! - All of us are wondering where this is going on a personal level.

On a positive note - its fantastic for the children that we care for because they have a good skilled workforce looking after their needs.

I can only say I am doing it for my own persononal and professional development as well.  I am using my Foundation Degree, NVQ A1, V1 awards to teach in local FE colleges, assess and verify at the same time.  Having to compensate nursery wages with these other jobs.  Its exhausting.

But..... and heres the but - essentially I feel a better practitioner all round, understanding government initiatives, and drivers, which in the end benefits the settings I work for.  One day I hope to find that dream job that will encompass all my training over the last 10 years.  Do it for yourself.

Good luck

by: timmylums

I too have a degree in advanced study of early years and education (BAed Hons). I find that there is not much call for the qualification as nobody in childcare can afford to pay for it. it is welcomed but people only want to pay for a level 3 so you may provide extra knowledge and qualification as a free bonus to your employer. I have completed my EYPs and am awaiting the outcome, I don't even think that this will change the market for job prospects but only time will tell. On a positive note though I can honestly say that I was new to childcare before my degree as I was mainly focusing on education but amongst other staff I feel that I am appreciated, I am always called on to support others with planning for the EYFs etc. Completing my degree has also given me the confidence to know that i may not be getting paid as a highly qualified professional but I am providing the children in my care with a high level of quality provision, my ability and knowledge has been gained throughout my time at uni and I feel that even if I am not reaping the rewards financially the children, parents and other staff are gaining from the quality provision and support that I feel I am able to promote.  Keep up your goal as things can only get better if more people use their drive and determination to better themselves and gain high level qualifications.          

by: nat1958

thanks to all your responses it was interesting to hear all the different views! im poss considering a career in primary teaching (infants) and i will be spending time in a school from jan 2 see if this is an area i am interested in.

thanks for all your help

Nat xxx

by: chloe_xx

Hi, I'm in my final year of college and have also applied to study Childhood Studies, I was wondering if I should change my course to Educational Studies as I am wanting to be a primary school teacher and am now worried that I will not be able to do that if I study this course?

Thanks

by: timmylums

Hi Chloe depending on the content of the education studies pathway you could still be better to do childhood studies as education studies can be a vast area and may look at adult education whereas childhood studies can be more centred around development, behaviour, health, emotions etc things that will support your pgce  in primary teaching. if possible you may be better to try to opt for a combined degree of both disciplines. Hope that this helps.   

by: Mandy

Hi

I am on my final year of a combined degree in advanced study of early years and special needs. I originally didnot want to be a teacher but after a long time of looking at jobs that i may want to go into. i have now decided to apply for a PGCE in early years, although i am still not a 100% sure i want to be a teacher but a friend of mine gained a PCGE and she is now a manager of a childrens centre and her job sounds really good and she still has contact time with the children.

For Chloe if you decide to do a combined degree you will then have to apply for a PGCE this will take you 4 years in total full time but as you seem sure that you want to be a teacher why dont you look at doing QTS for example you could do childhood studies with QTS (Qualified teacher status)

Good Luck to both of you.

by: Nut

I Completed my degree in 2007  and i have my BTEC in child care and worked for 7 years in childcare.  Im currently working as cnn for the nhs and I love it....I still get the interaction with children but on a different level to Nursery work.....I would highly recomend the job to any one and the money isn't bad too!!

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 10-04-09 22:47

by: Sam

Hi. Your job sounds realy interseting! How did you get into that job and where did you see it advertised?! Sam.

by: caz

I have completed a Foundation Degree in Early Years and have topped it up with a BA in Education Studies and am now teaching on early years courses in FE. There is plenty of scope with the Childhood Studies degree, just need to think outside the box. Can always to a PGCE or GTP in primary which will give you QTS and the teachers salary. Its true that the salaries do not currently match the new professional levels of qualifications, but if all degree level qualified staff move to other areas, and do not stay in early years settings, something will eventually have to change. Or you could move to New Zealand they are desperate for Early Years Teachers.. They also need to be qualified to a degree and above. Good luck

by: kirsty_footy

Hiya,

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this subject, it's good to hear your views as I'm in the same dilema! I'm currently in my second year of BA Early Childhood studies and previously obtained the BTEC National Diploma in Early Years.

I've worked with children for about 5 years and after 2 1/2 years at a Montessori setting I thought I would try my skills in a different Environment. I can honestly say that my job search was not hard at all, with offers of jobs coming minutes after emailing settings. Some even offered me the job without a proper interview! But what I did find is that all of them see highly qualified practitioners as a freebie bonus. I applied around May time, the lead up to the implmentation of the EYFS- so most settings were just keen for me to go in and 'fix it for them'.

After lots of offers I had to settle for a relatively small salary. This is fine with me, I can honestly say I'm in this profession for the children, but it's just so sad the divide between teachers and Early years professionals. At the setting I'm currently in they have a QTS in preschool who was sitting down with the children for hours doing maths and literacy, but now through my help has now understood the importance of play and less teacher led activities. This example just goes to show how wrong some settings have it. I feel the LA's havn't educated settings into the importance of having highly qualified staff , either that or their just holding out until they have to have them.

One other question, do you know if you have to have English, maths and science GCSE at grade C to be eligible for EYPS, and also what colleges/universities offer it on a fastrack basis? Thanks

by: nic

I am in my second year of this degree and have just received a £5,000 top up of my wages from the GLF. This is available until April and can be accessed by employers to pay well qualified staff a decent wage. Information can be obtained from IWDT.

Yes, you do need grade C GCSE in maths and English but not sure about science. Some colleges will let you sit an equivilency exam though.

by: Sam

Hi! I have found everyones views and experiences really intereseting! I completed my foundation degree in early childhod studies in 2007. I applied for my 3rd year to top but have deferred it twice. I now can not defer agiain, so its now or never. I am worried that I may not be able to find a job afterwards or enough work to support my self working part-time during the course. I do not know excactly what I want do if I do get a degree in early childhood studies. I am interested in play therapy, support work, adult teaching. I am concidering doing it through open university as I will not get into the smae amount of debt but would worry about getting enough support and it would take a lot longer to do!

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 26-08-09 00:02

by: busybee

Hi o u allow you to take 2  courses a year so that speeds it up. Suopport is led by you by contacting other learners on line, calling tutor and attending tutorials.  To teach adults you will still ned to gain a teaching qualification, either qts or qtls.

by: Sam

Hi! I have found everyones views and experiences really intereseting! I completed my foundation degree in early childhod studies in 2007. I applied for my 3rd year to top but have deferred it twice. I now can not defer agiain, so its now or never. I am worried that I may not be able to find a job afterwards or enough work to support my self working part-time during the course. I do not know excactly what I want do if I do get a degree in early childhood studies. I am interested in play therapy, support work, adult teaching. I am concidering doing it through open university as I will not get into the smae amount of debt but would worry about getting enough support and it would take a lot longer to do!

by: Jayne Browse

Hi!  I have read all of the above comments which I have found really interesting I too have just finished my BA Hons in Early Childhood Education and have considered doing the EYPS pathway.  You have to have your degree and GCSE in English and Maths but not in Science.  You only need your GCSE in Science if you undertake teaching in the Primary school sector.  All of the GCSE's need to be 'C' or above in order to do a GTP, SCITT or PGCE.

Regards Jayne.

by: kellieamy

OH NO!!! I HAVE ALSO COMPLETED MY BA THIS YEAR AND HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO MY CAREER OPTIONS. I WAS INTERESTED IN HOSPITAL PLAY SPECIALISM BUT AM NOW OVER QUALIFIED FOR THIS POST SO WILL HAVE WASTED THREE YEARS FOR NOTHING!! WHERE ARE ALL THE CAREER PROSPECTS WE WERE PROMISED WHEN WE BEGAN THE COURSE??? TEACHING OR NOTHING AS FAR AS I CAN TELL! HAVING TWO CHILDREN MEANS FURTHER STUDY IS LIMITED TO THE WEST MIDLANDS AREA. ANY IDEAS ANYONE???? I REFUSE TO SETTLE FOR A LOW PAID CAREER AFTER I HAVE WORKED SO SO VERY HARD TO GET THIS DEGREE, IM SURE YOU'RE ALL FEELING THE SAME TOO.!!

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 26-08-09 00:06

by: busybee

I teach in f.e at 30 pound an hour.  I did have to do a 2 year teaching diploma though but as it was on Thursday evenings, I worked as a lecturer at same time. Many colleges will take on graduates who will train as they work. The Dttls adult ed course is fully funded by your local authority. You must have a teaching post though before you can be accepted on the course

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 03-06-10 13:17

by: Nicky

yes feel the same, very frustrated, have worked my butt off in the last 3 years and through some very traumatic family circumstances in my final year and still managed to do well and hope my classification in July will reflect this!! think I will be getting a job and then doing NVQ3 whilst working.

by: keller

Hi everyone, really interesting to hear all the views and experiences as i too am in a similar situation!

I had a HND in childhood studies and have just finished my top-up to get a BA (hons) in childhood studies. I have also found that while its great that so many of us now have a degree, its actually not worth much within the early years sector...or at least money wise, its not!

Im currently a manager of a school nursery and while they have been very supportive of my studying and allowed me to have time off to go to college, now that i have the degree i havent got a pay rise and have been told that i wont in the near future either!

Its very off-putting when you put in so much effort and come out with a 2:1 degreeand find that you were just the same salary wise as with a level 4?! Im now applying for a GTP through the school im at and and hoping to start in september. I have to admit though, i will not be chosing early years as my specialised area, i am now looking at KS1 or KS2. I have become very disillusioned with the way we are expected to work in early years, without the pay and sometimes, lets face it, without the respect that a teacher with QTS would get.

kellieamy i completely agree, you just cant stay in early years if you want the money that we should have as graduates! Ive worked very hard for 5 years to get this degree, having 2 children along the way, and in order to get the pay i think i deserve, teching does seem to be the only option

by: Chey

 Dear all,

very sad to hear your comments, I too am in this position and after much soul searching after working in Early Years since 1984, I have come to the conclusion that gaining my PGCE and QTS is the only option open so that I can remain independent and support myself properly. But thinking positively if we as graduates with a sound child development knowledge base, experience ++ think how we could all turn school life around for those children who are attending school, remember as well that the government keeps bringing compulsory school age to a younger and younger age, with our voices out there promoting the child, the whole child, and nothing but the child, we could do a great deal of very positive work and bring about amazing changes. Teachers do have unions to help and protect them and people do listen to teachers views, it may take a wee while but this positivity could filter backwards into Early Years settings as well.

So I am going all the way now that I am investing considerable sums of money and energy, excitement and enthusiasm into this personal project.

Keep your chins up all of you out there on this BA route I think it will be worth it for many, many reasons.

kindest regards Cheyenne

by: Louise

As a QT and an EYP I would recommend doing the PGCE if you can possibly manage the time/money.  There is nothing to stop you doing the EYP as well either during or after.  If you have your relevant degree and some good solid experience in early years you can go down the Validation route which is approx 4 months.

This gives you more career options and, I believe, could help to raise the profile and benefits to the children of EYP from within the early years teaching profession.

 In short, do both if you can.

by: caz87

hi everybody, your comments have been very interesting to read.

In september 09 i started the BA Hons early childhood studies degree full time. When I first started this course I wanted to be a manager but after working in a creche part time and working in my nursery placement where i have previously worked, i have decided i dont want to be a manager. I want to spend my time with the children observing them and planning activities and dealing with parents. I do not want to be a manager anymore because of the stress, long hours and the fact it takes you away from the children. I hope to be an nursery nurse (sorry EYP) and after a while to become a team leader of a baby room. Am i am now wondering will i get paid anymore then somebody else who has an NVQ Level 3? What is the point is working really hard on these assignments and not to mention getting in all this debt as i am paying all my fees, to be paid the same as somebody else who has a level 3? From reading your comments, the settings, are welcoming EYP's to have degrees, but will not, or cannot pay for them. As with the EYPS, it is as i understand equivilent to teacher status, but again we won't get paid any more for having it? I'm all up for settings to recieve quality provison for the children from people who have degrees, but thats not going to help with my morgage and paying bills. So do I work somewhere full time and do my NVQ Level 3? or do i continue with my degree? Will everything change if the goverment party changes? Thankyou for any suggestions you may have :)

by: allie

I can understand your comments written above. But childcare and early years education has always been a low salary.It is not a job that you take for the money but as a vocation.

i work for the LEA in a Reception class and have a huge responsibilty as a Key Person - more so than others in my LEA!

I have completed the Foundation Degree and am in the final year of a BA (Hons). Of course, i have not got a pay rise for my new qualification nor will i get one when i gain my degree. However, a degree opens the door of opportunity and if anything my FD and the start of the BA (Hons) has enhanced my practice greatly!!

by: c

Caz - Contuine with the degree, things might change when you have finished. i am still going to do my 3rd year; if I get into it

RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 05-03-10 09:01

by: Dee6

I am about to start a BA in Early Childhood in the hope to study for a PCGE or GTP . I think this is a fantastic degree choice as it opens up alot of career choices. It is possible to work in Nursery settings,FE teaching, Hospitals, Social Services,Museums and a path to teaching. 

If you love working with children a pay cut is almost worth it, not to hate your job and be stuck in an office.The children are reaping the rewards and we are doing a fantastic job. Lots of job satisfaction.

Also once you have gained a degree there are more career choices available with postgrad training EG Social Work, Occupational Therapy,Counselling etc.

I hope everyone keeps studying for their degrees if we give up and only study to a level 3 what does that say about our profession and ethos as early years professionals.

Hopefully overtime we will be payed what we are worth in  the respect of expertise.

Though I am aware that I am at the beginning of my journey in early years and may not have this Rose tinted view of it in a year or so !!! 

I hope I have made the right career choice as it is the only one I feel totally motivated and excited to do. 

 

RE: RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 08-03-10 13:49

by: calypso

i have just completed the degree and loved it! I have been a level 3 practitioner for twenty years and to be a level 6 is fab! I am an early years lecturer and start my masters in Oct. On completion I hope to be employed by the university where I studied.

If success post degree is not coming your way it's not always the degree's fault!!

RE: RE: RE: RE: jobs available after a BA early childhood studies degree? - 03-06-10 13:14

by: Nicky

No I agree its not always the degree's fault, but as the BA Early Childhood studies has no formal practice assesment according to the CWDC qualifications page, we may be level 6 but not qualified to deliver the EYFS and therefore have to take further training such as the EYPS...this is all very frustrating for me as I dont have the GCSE in Maths and English to get on the EYPS and no experience either...so I am in a no win situation...I am very frustrated that I have spent 3 years doing this degree and it seems I am not even qualified to work in a day nursery and bottom of the ladder.

by: Mel

Hi, its really interesting to hear what everyone is saying on here i qualified with my BA hons 6 years ago and my EYPS 2 years ago i now have nearly 10 years experience. I now work as deputy manager in a private day nursery. 

I think our roles are going to be very different soon as childcare is changing on a monthly basis. so it will be a wait and see thing but i dont think it will ever be as well paid as some jobs but to be honest it is not the field of work i would go into if you want to earn a lot of money.

however i do have a warning as deputy i come into contact with alot of managers and owners and alot of them have been telling me that people are walking out of uni and demanding things and thinking that they know everything and not willing to listen to experienced members of staff. This unfortunately is giving all graduates and EYPS a bad name even with a degree it is important to remember that even with degrees you still have to work your way up you may get up a bit quicker as i have but i have still worked my socks of with everyone else in our profession.

by: Annie

Hi everyone, I'm delighted to have come across such as interesting forum. May I ask a few questions? I'm not from the UK but I am doing research in early years studies. Firstly, CH above mentioned that by 2010 the government was bringing in an initiative where there had to be graduate in every childcare setting. Did this ever come in to action? And if so was the requirement a BA in Early years/Early Childhood studies? Secondly, how does EYPS work? What does the abbreviation LA stand for as mentioned by Kirsty? Moreover, as a graduate of a BA Early years, how much would you expect to earn starting out in a nursery? Would be the same as a nursery nurse? Also, Nic above mentioned that she got £5000 from the GLF, IWDT. What is this? Finally, is there a government scheme in the UK where preschool children can access free preschool care prior to starting primary education? Any advice that you could give on any of the above would be very much apprectiated. Thank you

by: mj

It has been interesting to read all of your comments I am in the final year of BA HONS in Early Childhood and Family Studies and also doing to the EYPS alongside this I will be due to finish the EYPS in dec this year to those of you that had studied in the same way what is the current job market like?