by: pixi - 15-06-12 10:32
I've been thinking about studying to become a nursery nurse, but i have concerns, i not sure how physically demanding this job would be. I have a knee disability which affects both knees and i can not kneel, run, jump or sit on the floor and a problem with distance, is this a job i should even consider? I don't know anyone who works in this area and would really like some real honest feedback! thanks
by: Eejay
If it's something you really want to do, then I'm sure there are ways of achieving it.
It probably wouldn't be ideal to work in a baby room, as a lot of time will be spent on the floor with them at their height. Even in a toddler room you might encounter the same problem. However, in a pre-school room, most of the children will spend their time at tables doing activities, or stood up playing in the role play area - so this could be ideal.
You don't need to run and jump with the children - if you were to start working in a nursery, you could explain to the children why you can't always join in and maybe ask certain children to demonstrate physical activities on your behalf if necessary. Of course there will likely be other practitioners around who can help out too, but it may help develop the children's confidence if they feel that they are valued enough to help out - so it could actually be a good thing!
Good luck if you decide to go for it :)
by: Lizthewizuk
I have been working with children for 30years and I find it a very physically demanding job. You do have to be able to get down to their level and play on the floor.For the safety and welfare of the children you need to ableto break into a run at the drop of a hat when out and about at the park or on an outing if a child decides to make a break for it! As a manager of a pre school I would be very worried if I felt my staff were not able to keep up with the children physically. There are days when you are physically exhausted by the end as you have been on your feet running bending kneeling etc etc. sorry to put it so strongly but I really feel you need to really look at your physical abilities before you embark on this career.
by: Eejay
Whilst what you say is true, surely it's wrong to discriminate? Equality, diversity and inclusion are important. I'm sure things could be modified slightly at a setting to allow for a practitioner, with a physical impairment such as this, to work. Obviously it's not a career to choose as an "easy option" because it certainly won't be, but to say it's pretty much impossible is a bit unreasonable.
by: Rooney Zeus
Working as a nurse will be physically demanding, you must know that but if this is the only thing that you want to do and make a career in then maybe you can do something else other than being a nurse at a nursery. You could may be go for an administrative work instead.
by: purepurple
I am a nursery nurse working with toddlers and my job involves lots of sitting on the floor, kneeling down to play and discipline children.
i also have to tidy up and pick things up off the floor constantly or they become a tripping hazard.
i also have to climb ladders to put up displays and have to run acoss the room if a child is about to bite or hurt another child.
At the moment I am toilet training many of my toddlers and this involves many trips to the bathroom where I end up kneling down to help with pull-ups. shoes, wet clothes etc.
While you may not need to do all of those things, they are fairly common activities that somebody will have to do.
A nursery environment is sch that everyone is expected to muck in and go above and beyond their job description. I would love to be able to say that you would be welcome in many settings, but I know from experience that sometimes staff become resentful if they feel there are doing more than their share and that someone is doing less.
So in theory, yes you should be able to work in a nursery with a disability such as yours, but in practice, you will find it very difficult.
by: c
I agree with the above, I have a disability and I have managed to work my way up to the top ( I am deaf). As long as you show that you are committed, decidiated, enjoy working with children then that's all that matters, and you are willing to learn. You enjoy working as a team etc. Employers have a duty to your well being and they must make sure that they have helped you make reasonable adjustsments, while you are employed in their care.
So you could work in the pre-school department of an nursery, your disabilitiy can be overcome. Good luck with the job hunting and interview.
by: Jam
I am a Nursery Nurse and have worked with children, mainly under 3's for over 35yrs. After breaking my ankle twice (at work) i am less able than i once was, but it doesn't stop me from doing the job i love.It is a very physical job but, there are ways around things and with the support of a good team you will succeed if you are determined enough. Good Luck.
by: joshuajones
when I did my training well over 35 years ago now, there was a young girl who had a prosthetic leg, and trust me 35 years ago they were VERY rudimentary limbs. They certainly didn't bend or move the way they do now, she managed to complete her training and go on to be a first class Nursery Nurse.
Despite all the above comments, (apart from one or two ) I thought we had moved on in terms of discrimination, but sadly it would appear not !
If this is something that you really want to do, you will find ways round the difficulties, just as the girl that trained with me did. And now of course, the law says allowances, and non discriminatory work places are a must now, they weren't then !!
Go for it !
by: joshuajones
when I did my training well over 35 years ago now, there was a young girl who had a prosthetic leg, and trust me 35 years ago they were VERY rudimentary limbs. They certainly didn't bend or move the way they do now, she managed to complete her training and go on to be a first class Nursery Nurse.
Despite all the above comments, (apart from one or two ) I thought we had moved on in terms of discrimination, but sadly it would appear not !
If this is something that you really want to do, you will find ways round the difficulties, just as the girl that trained with me did. And now of course, the law says allowances, and non discriminatory work places are a must now, they weren't then !!
Go for it !
by: x-mardimoo-x
Rooney a Nursery Nurse and Administrative Assistant couldn't be any further away from the same job even if they are in the same building lol
Emily do you work in pre school?? Pre school children do not spend all day sat at tables or stood in the role play tut tut.....do you have the EYFS??
Pixi only your determination can help you succeed in a very very physically demanding job anyone who says its not physically demanding is superhuman...it gets even the fittest of us exhausted some days and some days definitely more than others.
If you have the skills and attributes that allow you to be an outstanding educator for our children then go for it....staff should support you and you will find the children can be a massive support for you too! I would say aim to be in preschool though as they ar emore independent and can help you out too with picking things up, etc. they'll surprise you...........i think you just need to find the right setting. Good Luck and keep us posted :)
by: Eejay
x-mardimoo-x, thanks for the snide comment. Of course I follow the EYFS, and of course the children don't spend all their time at tables or stood up - but they usually spend a lot more of their time doing things like this than a younger child would. I was trying to be positive and encouraging, unlike half of the other people who contributed to this thread, so I'm not sure why you felt the need to belittle me.
by: x-mardimoo-x
Sorry Emily.....but you've got to admit it was an extremely old fashioned view to air....alot of pre school settings only have a table or two since the emphasis on continuous provision was introduce many moons ago! Actually i agreed with the point you were making(just not the context you implied) and your right the small minded people who commented negatively towards someone just asking for advice #shameonyouyouknowwhoyouare need to take a leap into the 21st Century!!!
by: Eejay
Well I'm currently doing my Level 3 - I'm due to finish in a few weeks time with one observation/professional discussion still to do. A lot of the modules were on communication and inclusion/diversity/equality and similar sort of themes, and there didn't seem to be very much on promoting development, setting out a room, etc. I can therefore only go off what I've been told by my the people above me at work (it's a small setting so only five members of staff including me) which is to have a table for technology, mark-making, creative, maths and malleable. Sand and water are in trays that are about 2' high, role play is a kitchen with chairs and so the only areas for really sitting on the floor are small world/construction and the reading/music corner. I will be reading more into the EYFS over summer once my course is finished so hopefully I'll learn more.
by: x-mardimoo-x
Hey well done you on almost finishing your NVQ :) If you want any ideas everyone has millions on here....they New EYFS will be really helpful for ideas too they have examples of good practice.
In my over 2's we only have one big table where they can do playdough, gloop, etc. with the freedom to get rid if we want to do big floor activities. We do have a little table too more like a coffee table (markmaking in this room is in write to go boxes that they transfer to wherever they want it) thats sometimes in the heursitic, sometimes in roleplay....wherever its needed really! In preschool we do have a designated mark making area with a table and a similar set up as the over 2's for gloop etc. sometimes a table's necessary sometimes we ditch it but we always like the children to feel free to spread out which is why table's aren't always ideal for somethings (I also limit chairs....to stop staff sitting at tables when children aren't there) also PSRN is in all areas so no designated area and we have maths to go boxes for roaming. Let us know how you get on with your course. What age group do you work with?? Hope you forgive me for the comment ;)