poppy ben grace Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hi all, i wanted to pick your brains about an idea i have. I was thinking of doing some re training as my children are growing up and before i had them i worked as a horse groom for 17 years so will not be going back to that sort of job as it is impossible with a young family and the pay is rubbish! I thought about doing some training part time in the hope of becoming a teaching assistant eventually. Where do i start, what qualifications do i need? Could i train part time? I would love to work with younger children ideally, possibly as a classroom assistant. Any ideas or tips would be great. I really want to do something with my life but need a career that will fit around my family! I am 40, is it too late? Thanks for reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I am sure someone with more info will be along soon, I only know what I see at my son's school. Worthwhile contacting a school first and offering to go in and do some voluntary work, you may be able to pick their brains there - find the best course etc. A few parents I know are doing it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I did just the same when my children were younger, retraining from a very demanding job to become a teaching assistant. I followed the NVQ teaching assistant course which requires you to have a placement in a school - this can be voluntary. There was one evening a week at the local college, assesments in the school and I had to build up an 'evidence' folder to show I met the requirements. The kind of classroom assistant role you would like is like gold dust round here - far more looking for the jobs than there are. There is a lot more work as a Learning Support Assistant, where you are one to one with a child. There are even teachers working as TAs as well due to the reduction in supply work. But if you don't try, you won't ever know! I think there are some online qualifications now, but don't know how well these are regarded and you would almost definitely need some hands on experience before getting a job, so start volunteering if you can and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 My Ed started voluntary as a class room assistant at the local nursey and gave up three afternoons a week and got onto her NVQ course, she did so well she achieved a level 2. The headmistress of the J&I school gave her a list of positions in the area and said she should apply. So she did and got her first job caring for a little boy with Downs, she approached the head to ask about her level 3 NVQ, the school part paid her to take it, gave lots of support. She was assessed monthly and went to her tutor weekly for 6mths. She is a qualified teachers assistant now. Because she is one on one with her little man she has given up her two afternoons aweek to volunteer as a teaching assistant in the Infants to get the experience she needs to get a job as a teachers assistant, i would like her to go back to college and become a teacher but she isn't ready for this . The most ironic thing is she went to work to have a break from her children and ended up caring for a boy with downs, when her youngest son has downs, everything she has implemented with her own boy she has done for this child . In the two years she has been with him he has learnt to sign and communicate, even his behaviour has brought comments from home on the difference in him, for the better. Approach the local schools and offer your services, even as a reading support volunteer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Thankyou all for your advice, its very encouraging. Will keep you posted whatever i decide to do next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I became a TA when DS started school, was an RSCN RGN before that. In my time as a TA I have completed my HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) and my Foundation Degree Early Years as I now work with the Foundation Stage in the same school. Two other TAs in the school have no qualifications as TAs, as a governor I have been persuading them to under take the training, they are starting in a few weeks time a Level 3 course. In the past the TA job was very different and schools did not look for qualifications, things have changed now and large numbers apply for any job that comes up. Some apply with Masters!! Getting some voluntary experience in a school is a good start and for most courses you will need a placement to carry out the course. Good luck! Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I have just got a job working as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA). I found a job i wanted to apply for in the local job paper, and just went for it, although I don't have any qualifications for it and have limited experience - I'm only just 18! To be honest, I think it is about being the right person for the job more than having qualifications - apparently I beat 7 graduates to the job! The impression I get is that you get the job first, and then they will train you if you don't have a NVQ or anything like that. My school is looking at supporting me through the NVQ level 3. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Megan xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 Thankyou and congratulations! Well done you, it just goes to show doesnt it. Hope it goes well for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
