Secondary teacher to early years

Secondary teacher to early years

by: Macj - 03-03-13 23:25

Hi everyone! I have been working as a secondary teacher for ten years and would really like to work in early years instead (been considering this since my first daughter was born 5 years ago!). I have a Degree in Mathematics with Education and PGDE. I would like to know firstly am I qualified for any roles in a Nursery, and secondly would a Nursery consider employing someone from a Secondary School background? Thanks for reading and for any advice you can give!

by: me

yes BUT i would want you to show that you have done some very recent training in early years teaching training in itself does not cover this age group and it is vital. also if i had a choice between someone with experience and a level 3 and you i would take the level 3 every time as it is specific training. its a bit like saying you can by a patisserie expert when you have only ever done staright cheffing. its a specialism 

by: jacks

Have you considered a nanny - governess role ? your teaching qualification and wealth of experience will be very attractive to families and private home care salaries are far more attractive. There is a great 1 day prof, nanny training which will help you.

by: purepurple

You would be classed as an unqualified nursery worker and could possibly get a job as an assistant but you would be up against people with qualifications and experience.

With a degree you could become an EYP- Early Years Professional, soon to be rebranded early Years Teacher. You would have to do the long pathway and gain experience with babies and young people so would have to do placements.

by: Macj

Thank you for the replies. I agree that employers should take experience over a degree, I just wasn't sure whether my degree would be worth anything at all or if I'd need to go back to square one to retrain. Obviously some of the skills are transferrable such as planning/prep/curriculum/observatins/parents involvement etc but i am missing the 'childcare' qualifications. I have helped out in a local playgroup on a parents rota but that is my main experience (other than being a mum of two!). The job i was looking at was Early Years Officer/practitioner to gain experience in a Nursey setting but it sounds like I'd be unlikely to get this then if it is mainly based on experience. Thanks for the Nanny idea, I will look into it but my gut feeling is that it's not really for me.

by: sparkles24

It might not be financially viable for you, but a main way that people who want to work in early years seem to gain experience as well as getting a relevant qualification is by doing an apprenticeship.  There seems to be quite a lot of nursery apprenticeships being advertised by the Jobcentre (go to http://www.gov.uk  and click on the relevant link).

by: bagpuss

To check how relevant your qualification is go on the government website qualification checker for early years. I think you are a QTS so that is all my local government body ask for they dont make it specific for early years. Just EYP or QTS for extra funding

by: zar

have you done ur early years fountdation dgree 

by: Macj

Hi Zar. No i haven't done any early years training at all yet, just trying to look into what I would need to do to convert to Early years. May need to start from scratch i think.