Career Chnage Ideas - Help TA or Nursery Assistant to QTS

Career Chnage Ideas - Help TA or Nursery Assistant to QTS

by: Dee6 - 20-02-10 09:05

I am studying for an NVQ 2  Teaching assistant  that finishes in May. I am trying to plan my career change around being a parent . We are planning a baby next year or two and I would like to have my career set up to work around being a busy Mum. 

 In the ideal world I would work in Nursery that I could take my baby with me (Hopefully for discount ??) then when he/she goes to School I could work as a TA or perhaps even a teacher.

I don't have A-levels and have always been a PA up to now. I am totally baffeled as to how I can work and be a Mum . Childcare costs are so expensive !!! So I thought that this sounded like a good solution. I love working a volunteer TA which is what I am doing now .

What courses should I do ?? I would like to have the ability and freedom to work in the nursery Setting and School setting. Not one or the other. I am not sure which course to do next - An Fda in Early years ? Or a NVQ 3 . Ideally I would have a degree to fall back on to become a Teacher later down the line. 

I hope someone can give me a few pointers as I am 37 yrs and can't afford to make another career mistake !!!

Big thanks. 

by: lauren86

Hi Deborah, I did the Fda Degree in Early Childhood Studies and the BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies. I have worked in many nurseries, and none of them offer discount to staff unfortunately. If you a level 3 course in early childhood such as an NVQ level 3 this is usually the minimum you would need to work in a school and nursery. Obviously you can work as a TA with level 2 as your doing this, however I would suggest doing the level 3 if you want to have the option of schools and nurseries, this will benefit you and help you gain employment as well. Also, if you get your level 3 this is the same level as A levels meaning you would be able to start a Fda Degree (you need A levels or same level to do a Fda, I dont think level 2 is high enough- i may be wrong but I think you need level 3). The degree is worth it, however you have to be very very sure this is what you want to do as it is alot of training- level 3 (after level 2)- prob one year, Fda (level 4&5) 2 years, BA Hons (level 6) 1 year top up- this is 4 years of studying, you can do this as a full time student however you can do it while you work in an early years setting, however working full time, doing a qualification and having a family would be hard work, do-able though. Plus the teaching qualifications if you decide to do this- PGCE very competitive to get onto, 1 year, or Graduate teacher program, again very competitive 1 year- you are employed as an unqualified teacher for  a year and train while you work- ive heard very hard work, and then again very competitive to get into primary teaching once your an NQT. Or after degree you could do EYP, so you could be highest level early years practitioner possible, however this is more for children's centres, nurseries etc rather than the school route. I would maybe suggest getting your NVQ Level 3 and gaining employment in a nursery, where your child could go, then while your working you can then decide if you want to train more, and then when  children go to school you can work in the nursery still, however hours that suit you, I know many nursery nurses who work 8-2pm (30 hours a week) due to children in school. Hope this helps, good luck.

by: lauren86

Hi Deborah, I did the Fda Degree in Early Childhood Studies and the BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies. I have worked in many nurseries, and none of them offer discount to staff unfortunately. If you a level 3 course in early childhood such as an NVQ level 3 this is usually the minimum you would need to work in a school and nursery. Obviously you can work as a TA with level 2 as your doing this, however I would suggest doing the level 3 if you want to have the option of schools and nurseries, this will benefit you and help you gain employment as well. Also, if you get your level 3 this is the same level as A levels meaning you would be able to start a Fda Degree (you need A levels or same level to do a Fda, I dont think level 2 is high enough- i may be wrong but I think you need level 3). The degree is worth it, however you have to be very very sure this is what you want to do as it is alot of training- level 3 (after level 2)- prob one year, Fda (level 4&5) 2 years, BA Hons (level 6) 1 year top up- this is 4 years of studying, you can do this as a full time student however you can do it while you work in an early years setting, however working full time, doing a qualification and having a family would be hard work, do-able though. Plus the teaching qualifications if you decide to do this- PGCE very competitive to get onto, 1 year, or Graduate teacher program, again very competitive 1 year- you are employed as an unqualified teacher for  a year and train while you work- ive heard very hard work, and then again very competitive to get into primary teaching once your an NQT. Or after degree you could do EYP, so you could be highest level early years practitioner possible, however this is more for children's centres, nurseries etc rather than the school route. I would maybe suggest getting your NVQ Level 3 and gaining employment in a nursery, where your child could go, then while your working you can then decide if you want to train more, and then when  children go to school you can work in the nursery still, however hours that suit you, I know many nursery nurses who work 8-2pm (30 hours a week) due to children in school. Hope this helps, good luck.

by: lauren86

P.s. also I noticed you said ' I would like to have my career set up to work around being a busy Mum' you need to remember, although many people are full time teachers and mums, this would be very hard work, teaching is not just 9-3 monday-friday, most teachers are in school 7.30-8am until about 6pm, teaching all day then planning for next day, also taking working home to mark, and then on weekends planning for next week. Nursery nurse in a nursery is a great career, you have to do paperwork however no where near the level of a teacher.

by: red sun

Lauren 86, I wouldnt be so sure about there not being the level of paperwork for NN's as there are teachers. I used to work with a teacher in a children's centre and believe me she was amazed at the amount of paper work NN's have to do!

Deborah; alot of nurseries offer discount, the nursery I manage offer 20% staffdiscount

by: Lolo

Deborah - have you thought about being a Registered Childminder?  You can ransfer many of the skills you have through being a TA, plus you can acquire business skills too.  As a registered childminder you are the leader of your setting. You can pick your own hours and fees (to a certain extent).  You will have your child with you all day, and not need breakfast and afterschool clubs.

As a childminder you can study for the Level 3 qualification that is comig out (just one Level 3 for all people working with children and young people). You could extend that to a Foundation Degree and then EYPS if you wanted.  Or go back into schools when your children are in school.  

by: lauren86

I have worked with many teachers that work in schools reception and up and the amount of paper work they have to do is crazy. I have worked as a nursery nurse for many years, and yes, as any NN will agree there is paper work, however no where near the level required of a teacher teaching in a school. All the state nurseries I have been in do not offer discount. What Lolo said about childminding could be a great option for you as well, just need to make sure you advertise lots as obviously you work on a self employed basis. Good luck

by: lauren86

I have worked with many teachers that work in schools reception and up and the amount of paper work they have to do is crazy. I have worked as a nursery nurse for many years, and yes, as any NN will agree there is paper work, however no where near the level required of a teacher teaching in a school. All the state nurseries I have been in do not offer discount. What Lolo said about childminding could be a great option for you as well, just need to make sure you advertise lots as obviously you work on a self employed basis. Good luck

by: Alison Audsley

I too would suggest you become a registered childminder - This was the career change I made when I became a 'mature mother'. You will need a level 3 qualification to progress further.

I have gained NVQ level 3, Foundation Degree, BA Degree and Early Years Professional Status - the majority of this was funded and enabled me to work, study and care for my own child.

I now teach NVQs and would suggest that you look into the new qualifications that start this September and register an interest with your local suthority re childminding - it will probably take quite a while to become registered.

Good luck with your career move.

Alison