Advice on becoming a Nursery Nurse

Advice on becoming a Nursery Nurse

by: Lisa Morris - 04-10-12 23:58

Hi,

I've just recently started a new career path in Nursery Nursing I was previously doing Admin.

I love working with children and have started volunteering in an Infant school early years setting with 3 year olds where I am doing 2 afternoons a week and 1 day a week college.

However, The other day I had an experience where I was told by the class teacher to take control of a group of 9 kids whilst the nursery nurse in charge was sent on her tea break and I found it stressful because the children did not respond to my instruction to gather them in a circle let alone sing a song. I felt even though it was my second day at this nursery class and I don't know any of their names my confidence was shaken and I felt incompetant. What is your experience when you started? How did you overcome issues with getting children to follow instruction?

Thanks

by: me

go to college. learn what makes children tick and how not to issue instructions to 3 yr olds! do a level 2 course then a 3 then you will be on the path to a good solid career. 

by: Sunshine

I think it will come with confidence! Once children see you are confident and in control they will listen to you and respect you more. I wouldn't worry yourself about it, it was only your second day in the class!

by: Jam

To be honest you shouldn't have been left to do that in the first place. It was only your second day. The children wouldn't know you, let alone trust you. You need time to get to know the children. Working with children is not an easy job, but with time and confidence it gets easier. Good Luck

by: Lisa Morris

Thanks everyone I think it is just early days and this time next year I should be loving it.

by: Smallfry

It is a low status and low paid career move, you have to work with females only and work for free - take work home with you or even come into work unpaid. 

by: purepurple

wow, smallfry, what big generalisations you have!

That might be true for your setting (in which case, maybe you need to find a better one) but it's cetainly not true of all settings o reven most settings.

I have worked in 4 private day nurseries over the last decade and have never had to come into work unpaid or worked for free or had to take work home with me. In fact most settings do not allow work to be taken home because of confidentiality.

I have also worked with several men.