TA here in an independent school. Just started a month before Xmas break after being in early years in nursery climbing the ranks and was a state school TA for 2 years prior. Multiple placements and work experience weeks in schools.
Being a volunteer or student and being an employee are very different. I actually find being an employee much easier than it was being a student. Probably because I now realistically know what I’m doing and not used as a run around half the time.
So in that regard, as you gain experience and go forward, it does get easier - because your confidence will grow and you’ll have a stronger grasp on what to do.
My daily jobs are (reception)
15 minutes with a group of 4 children who need support (I plan this) in writing and phonics
Small group work (maths, literacy, phonics - task and aims set by teacher)
Carry out and write up observations
Work with children on topic activities (art, technology etc) - Can choose how many I work with at a time but will have a limit in which to get them all done, so I’ll often call over more able children, get them started, then grab the next few at the same time)
1:1 reading and phonics work
Displays are mostly my job under teach guidance
Prep snacks and milk
Wash up equipment / get resources / lots of trimming, laminating and photocopying
Ferry the children around the building eg to lunch, to PE etc
Keep track of children’s belongings
Play time duty
First aid room duty
It’s full on, but a big part of being a TA is, unlike the teacher, you leave it all at school and can generally walk out on your finishing time. Now a good TA in my view won’t leave stuff undone or in a shambles for the teacher to sort alone, but nevertheless you have your time at home and don’t being work back with you (reflected in the pay though)
The bonds you make with the children as a TA can also be so strong, often because you’ll spend a lot more time with them individually. I absolutely love it.
Christmas is a strange time for an introduction, indeed a couple of week in the timetable went out the window and it was Christmas crafts and Christmas play that ate all the time. But if you’re there full time, you learn to enjoy the end product (and the stress that goes with Christmas)
Personally, I love it!