Colleague at work, aibu to feel a bit belittled by her

[CharlieTheCat0]

I work in a nursery. I am not qualified in childcare or EY but I do have a Level 2 Support Work in Schools qualification. I am also a mum to a almost 6YO and I often babysit for my friends or families children of different ages so I do have experience with children. I work with a colleague who has just turned 19 who is qualified and I am in my late 20s. She keeps mentioning the word unqualified about me, who I know is true, but it is the way she says it and I can tell she judges my competence based on the qualification. Aibu to think it isn't fair to do this? I feel quite awkward around her now as I feel like she is just judging me and thinking I shouldn't be there

Just because she has a piece of paper doesn’t mean she can do the job, experience will always be invaluable

It's none of her business, presumably your employer thinks you're up to the job and that's all that matters really. A 19 year old is virtually a child, I wouldn't worry about what she thinks, let it all wash over you. Maybe you can get your own back a bit by commenting on her young age, lack of experience etc.

Eh, I once was working to a qualification when a newly qualified member of staff entered the nursery as my senior. All books and no know-how.

She once opened the room door to 3 two year olds and let them out. In her words 'because they wanted to explore'.

Honestly the lass was young, thought she knew the world but hadn't yet even changed a nappy.

You are a mother. There’s your experience. My Dsis did a full time (9-5 Mon-Fri) 2yr course in childcare called NNEB (The National Nursery Examination Board) in 1989. She said she thought she knew it all at aged 19. Then at 26 had her daughter and realised at 19 she actually hadn’t really had a clue 😂 . Unless you are a mum at 19 you don’t really have a clue. Maybe after a couple years working with kids you have some clue.

Well, it depends: is she saying it in ways that are relevant? E.g. "No, CharlietheCat isn't qualified to cover X on her own so we'll have to get Sue to do Y" etc.

Next time she refers to you as unqualified just say yes I'm experienced.

This is the perfect response! Completely takes the wind out of her sails in a way she can't criticise!

Thank you. Yes, she isn't a mum and is newly qualified, I can just tell she is judging me, it's the way she says it, like she is looking down on it and like im 'less than' as I don't have a formal qualification and she does if that makes sense

Tell her practical experience beats book learning hands down.

She's a newly qualified know it all, it'll settle down with time. She's young, give her the grace of that. If she's completely insufferable, tell her to cool her jets and watch how she speaks to colleagues.

What does she say to you, op?

I did a 2 year NVQ level 3 early years qualification. It’s such basic stuff about keeping the kids alive, recording what they can do etc…… A qualification isn’t anything to get excited about……..

Why do you care what she thinks? If she's not someone of importance to you, her opinion is of no consequence. Let her think what she likes. You know your own worth so hold your head up and do your job to the best of your ability. You could point out to her that you have actual experience but honestly, I don't think I'd bother. She's not worth the effort!