Anyone doing an OU course ??

[nutcracker]

I am cinsidering this as a possibilty instead of me returning to college.

I have only just realised that I could get funding to cover the course fees which was the reason i had not applied before.

Just wondered really if anyone else is currently doing a course with them or if you have in the past.

Blimey should learn to spell first i suppose.

Do it! I had to give mine up last year as new baby and study isn't good (plus there was money issues etc., I couldn't qualify for funding) but I fully intend to do it again once I feel more focussed etc. It is really straight forward to apply and very exciting to think about what you wil get out of it.

Go on, do it. I know you can!

What course were you doing ??

Hi Nutcracker

I'm studying with the OU - have an 8½ year old with ADHD (off school at the moment) and a 3 year old. It can be difficult finding time to study, but I'm coping. I've had a lot of support from my husband and mother - absolutely vital - and I'm taking my exam on 20th October. Will go straight onto another course and then have another lined up in February next year. I aim to finish my degree in 2008.

Good luck - hope this helps.

I was going to the Sociology foundation course to start with and then work towards Child Psychology or something along that line - what would you like to do?

I was thinking of doing the level 1 Understanding health and social care, or something similar.

Not quite sure what degree i would be working towards though yet.

That is the nice thing about OU - it doesn't matter and as time goes by you can see which parts of the course suit you best.

You should do it if you think you can - keep us posted won't you?

Yeah i will, and thanks for the help.

I am going to have another look at all the courses tommorow and see what would suit me best.

It has to be a level 1 course i think as i have no previous qualifications, and i probably couldn't cope with anything more anyway.

Will keep you posted.

NUtcracker. I did DD100 - an introduction to social science. I loved the OU - excellent materials, great support. I must adnit that I did not study for the recommended amount, but I passed the course no problem. If you start with one of the foundation courses a lot of it is backtracking and helping you learn how to stidy all over again. I think that the OU are really tapped in to their market and realise that a lot of adults students havent studied in a while.

My first couple of chapters was on things like note taking and skim reading! I found this so helpful - they set you up with the tools for future units.

I dont think that it matter yet what degree you fancy, treat the first one as a stand alone course, then you will have more idea after the first year. Really glad you are thinking of choosing the OU - I found it a great bit of independence (Libb think you want to do the course I did DD100?? - I also went on to do the child psychology course, if you want to talk about either by all means contact me)

the little taster course (about £60) is really good to do too as you get an idea of how you will be interacting with your tutor and getting into the swing of studying. I used to get really excited about my essays being returned by mine and she was so supportive to talk to. If you complete that then you can get a small number of credits towards your degree.

Would you like me to send you some of the literature that was sent by the OU to give you an idea of returning to study? It was only issued last year so should be up to date. I wouldn't expect anything and it will give you a better idea.

Nutcraker - definantly do a level one - they break you in nice and gently and it is not too much then.

That was the one I started - DD100. Was really funny and gave the tutor a shock when he asked if the reason I was giving up was going to be long term? just the rest of my life, I am 6 months pregnant

Nutcracker, feel free to contact me if you want the literature.

Libb - sorry just read that you had to give it up - You will go back - I did dd100 when ds was about 6 months I think. The good thing about the OU is that you have all the time in the world to do it.

thanks joanneg, I really hope to one day sooner, rather than later. Money and time is the issue now - I have to go back full time soon and I have the organisational skills of a sheep to be honest.

I've just started one of the "Taster" courses Libb mentioned - "Understanding Children".

After which, I'm planning to enrol on the "Supporting Learning in Primary Schools" - which is a new course starting in October 2005.

I MAY enrol on the "Working with Children in the Early Years" which starts in February and runs to October, then straight onto "Supporting Learning...." I'll see how things go.

I have been doing volunteer work in our school for the last 18 months - and have got myself 3 mornings volunteering lined up starting on Tuesday (2 in Reception and 1 in KS1).

The latter 2 courses require me to been working paid or unpaid in a primary school for at least a year before starting the course.

Going back to my "taster" course - I haven't spoken to my tutor, received a letter yesterday saying she'll ring next week and to make a start on Unit 1 - which I did for 1.5 hours this morning.

I am studying with the OU and can really recommend it. I started as I just wanted something other than tweenies to think about, and was newly divorced in a new town with a baby so needed interests.

I am now working towrds a career in psychology, in fact next year I will be doing the child psychology course someone else mentioned in this thread.

I did consider going back to university full time but have already done the student the student life and felt no great urge to revisit it. Not to mention the cost and the effort involved getting to Uni every day and organising childcare. Studying witht the OU gives you such flexibilty which is essential when you hvae kids and the materials are first class so there is no need to worry about having access to libraries etc.

Oooh there are loads of you doing it.

Libb that would be great thanks'ill contact you.

I did think about doing the child based courses but would find it difficult to afford childcare if i did voluntary work.

Am going to have another look on there later and see what would really suit me.

Thanks for all the advice, it's great.

I'm thinking of doing the Understanding Health and Social Care one as i want to apply to be a midwife and need evidence of recent study, since I graduated 10 years ago!

I'm going to treat it as a stand-alone course - just something to get me back into the swing of studying again. Am really looking forward to it but just hope I can fit it all in...

O.k what courses would be best for teaching in a nursery ?? Do they have teachers in nurseries or are they all childcare workers with childcare qualifications ???

Have started a thread on this question, have a look I haven't half waffled

They have teachers in state nursery schools and classroom assistants so not strictly childcare qualifications etc. Don't know anything else I'm afraid

Nutty

CACHE Level 2 Certificate/Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education - both available full-or part-time; the level 2 certificate will qualify people to work under supervision

City & Guilds Level 2 Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education similar to the CACHE level 2 certificate, this allows the holder to work under supervision

BTEC National Diploma in Early Years available full- or part-time and providing a route into nursery nursing or childcare work, and also into professional training for nursing, teaching or social work

NVQ in Early Years Care and Education at levels 2 to 4 based on the assessment of students already employed in the sector. Level 4 qualifications are intended for those involved in managerial posts.

These are generally required when applying for a post within the private day nurseries.

If you're thinking of doing any of the child-related courses with the OU - most of them require you to be working (paid or unpaid) within an Early Years setting/Primary school whilst studying.

The one I want to do next requires me to have been working for 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time.

Blimey, thanks Slinky, gets confusing doesn't it.

Hmmm still haven't decided and i'm supposed to go to college next week.

Yeah i read that on a few of them.

Trouble is i can't afford childcare for Ds enabling me to do voluntary work, and all jobs i've seen advertised in nureries or schools require qualifications already.

Need to get my thinking cap on.