sure start job interview

sure start job interview

by: Sophie Smith - 01-02-12 22:23

Hi All,

I am soon to be a graduate in Early Childhood Studies, and a qualified nursery nurse (L3), I have experience working in sure start centres, private day nurseries and schools, both as university placement and as part time paid work.

I have recently been given the opportunity for an informal meeting at a sure start centre-it is not a job interview, but an opportunity to discuss possible up coming job opportunities, supply work, and volunteering and my suitability for the roles.

I am not sure exactly what the meeting will entail, but I understand I will have to clearly communicate my experiences of both university, placement and the working world as well as show  knowledge and understanding of the sure start ethos; one-stop-shop, multi-agency working etc.

Would any members with any advice, be it for general job interviews or if any members working in sure start centres can offer any advice I would be forever greatful.

Very best wishes

Sophie

by: playpal

Hi Sophie,

Make sure you know about the Core Offer which all Children's Centres have to offer (google it!) and the 5 Every Child Matters outcomes. It might be useful to have some background information on the type of area the CC serves and its particular needs. You may be able to find this out from the County Council (or equivalent) website. Also if it a Phase 1, 2 or 3 CC as they need to provide different services. Also think about the different agencies who may be involved for example: Health Visitors, Speech Therapists, local councillors, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Debt Advisors, Local Housing providers, Domestic Abuse teams etc etc. It might also be useful to refresh your knowledge of safeguarding and CAFs.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, just a few hints to set you on the right path. Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

by: Sophie Smith

Hi Playpal I hoped you'd see and reply to my post!! :) You have bought up some really interesting ideas. I have done some demographic research to ensure I know a little about the area and its needs but shamefully don't know anything about phases. Hopefully I can find this out prior to going if the information is available online. Will also take your advice about services. Think in particular I need to be able to demonstrate my understanding of safeguarding and protecting children and be able to communicate this coherently.

Thanks again!!

Sophie

by: Sally

Hi Sophie,

I am in my final semester studying BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and have accepted a funded Early Years Professional Status place at Uni. I have been working as a Senior in a Sure Start Children's Centre since the new year. I previously worked for 3 years as a teaching assistant in a primary school. As a graduate you should know what career path you want and also have an action plan of how you want to move forward. I would say to have a few ideas of things that you'd like to implement/lead in the future there that utilise your skills (singing/signing sessions, art and craft sessions...) Also ask them what future plans they're thinking of implementing.

Good luck Sophie

Kelly

by: Sophie Smith

Hi Kelly, thanks for your advice! Good luck with your EYP status, I am sure it will go smoothly after all your experience, also good luck with your final semester, we are in the same boat!

Out of interest, what was your role as a senior like? would love to know a little about what your role entailed. What made you want to do an EYP, will you be returning to your setting after?

Your advice is really good, and reminds me of some advice i got from a head teacher of a primary school who told me to not only think what I could do for the school but also what they could do for my professional development. Having been trained in violin and piano to grade 7 standard through my childhood I would describe myself as musical, I am also learning makaton, hopefully I can communicate how I can help the setting with my skills and how they can help me to develop them further.

Best Wishes Kelly,

Sophie

by: Sally

Hi Sophie,

My role as a Senior is in a 2-5 room in a children's centre. I job-share and am liking it a lot so far. I still have a lot of changes i'd like to implement, but will have to tread carefully so as not to rock the boat too much with staff! My role includes day to day stuff as checking rotas, chn:adult ratios, sharing information from managers/directors with staff (top-down stuff), organising and overseeing planning, learning journeys, developmental tracking of children (that the key workers do themselves). I hold regular supervision meetings with my room staff to discuss their key chn and their own CPD. It can be a lot of juggling of questions/situations thrown at you in an instant, so you need to keep calm and be able to prioritise. All this before juggling the personalities of staff, children and parents to boot! As you can imagine, no 2 days are the same, but are usually pretty hectic! I'm employed (not seconded) in my setting and so won't be going back to primary school setting.

I'm studying EYPS as I didn't want to do PGCE postgrad. I don't fancy teaching (or the National Curriculm). I enjoy studying and wanted to continue, but don't want to do a Masters just yet as I'd like to have a rest before that!

I sign Makaton and BSL. There are some fab resources available. Have a look at Something Special on CBeebies website for vocabulary. But also take a look at Signed Stories (ITV website) for putting sentences together. Ideal stuff there for Early Years. Signature.org is another good BSL website to enrich your learning. I've signed Makaton for 9 years and BSL for 2. Both enhance the other, but I feel a more confident signer with BSL knowledge behind me.

Your head was right. At the interview as them what they can do for you. At my interview I asked for support in studying towards EYPS as I had only just put in my application. They agreed (and are doing so wonderfully!). However, it turns out that it was in their business plan to have an eyps in their setting by December 2012! If you don't ask, you don't get! As a graduate leader you need to be focused on your own CPD as well those around you. 

I've always wanted to play the piano! The arts are getting forgotten in an academic-driven world - this could be your USP (unique selling point)! How could you make use of music within the setting? Introduce ukaleles over recorders (recent TES article) or use music to express behaviour and feelings (PSED)? What about music to include parents in setting? I could go on....!

Best of luck,

Kelly

by: Sophie Smith

Thank you so much Kelly for such a long and thoughtful reply. Your role sounds so interesting and deffinatly a juggling act-it sounds like they are very lucky to have you. I too considered a PGCE for a while but after school and nursery/cc placements decieded that early years (which is after all what the degree centers around) is much more for me. That being said I wouldn't rule out going into teaching when I am older and with more personal and professional experience behind me.

You have deffinatly bought to my attention the need to be more focused about what I want to achieve. Other than Makaton and a paedeatric first aid I never really think or dream about my CPD, which I can see would not look good to a potential employee, which would also be unfair on me because I am not without drive or ambition.

Your musical ideas are great. Music has always been a therapy to me so I hope I could come up with some great ideas about how it can reach young children.

Wishing you the best of luck with your EYPS!

Sophie

by: playpal

Hi Sophie,

Definitely use you music knowledge as a selling point. Singing is great way for young children to learn so much and is really valuable for very young children's language development. CCs are very different to other EY settings as they work with the whole family - some people like this, others don't. I do, as I think that with the under 3's (which is the age group I work with) how can you separate the child from what is going on in the family? Unless you're hoping to work in a Phase 1 CC with on site full day care you will probably be working in 'Stay & Play' type sessions or creches, so be prepared for this.

If you're thinking of doing EYPS definitely mention this at your interview as it could make all the difference.

Good luck!

by: Margos

Hi Sophie,

My best advice is to treat this as an interview, by that I mean that they will be 'sussing you out' to know whether you are someone that they may like to work with in the future.  If first impressions are not good you are unlikey to get the job when it comes up. Get across to them as much as you can about your skills and areas of expertise - nod and smile in the right places. Appreciate the opportuity and enjoy yourself.  Happy practitioners grow happy children!

Let me know how you get on.

www.proceedc.com

www.happytalkevents.co.uk ?