So, how do you go about becoming a TA?

[2sugars]

It's something I'd really love to do, but do you need to start off with a degree level of education (which I don't have)? My sister's one, but she downgraded from being a teacher to a TA, so no advice from her on that front.

Hi, no you do not have to qualified to a degree level. I think you need to have a level 2 in childcare or teaching assistant in some schools but i think that some will now only take level 3 qualifications.

Thanks breanyone. So, do I google l3 childcare? Is it a full time course?

yes you could do. I did mine whilst working at a nursery one day a week, some i have known to do at work on the evening. If you have not already got a job in the childcare sector they may insist you do level 2 first.just lokk at a local colleges website, that should have all the info.

Brew - I do have a job in the childcare sector - albeit 2 hours a week!!! as a lunchtime supervisor. Should I approach the school first, or find a course first? I guess I've missed the boat as I imagine most courses would start in September.

I would approace the school first, they may have more info, or maybe take you on as unqualified. good luck, its a great rewarding job.

Brewanyone, I'm soooooo sorry to labour a point, but how exactly does that work, taking you on as unqualified? I know the children all come and give me a huge hug when I'm there (and one is going to marry me and take me to the Punjab to meet his grandma), but I'm sure that's because I'm a soft touch with them!!

Do I really go to head and say 'I'd like to be a TA. Would you take me on as an unqualifed one?'

I already find the two hours I do there immensely rewarding - I know what you mean.

I think so, it would just mean that you could not be left on your own with any of the pupils. I am not sure if schools are allowed to do this anymore but it's worth a try, they may 'create' a job for you so they get around it whilst you complete an evening course. I have known this happen before. I am sure the school would advise you as to what they need or the best way of helping you. Hope this helps.

Gawd - how does that work?? I'm left on my own for 3/4 of an hour at the mo, with reception and Y1. Someone's always around, but I need to send a responsible Y1 to get them if I need them!

oh, i dont know about that one. Maybe its different rules for some. but even at nursery i was never allowed to leave unqualified staff alone with kids, maybe if you have had crb its different. Best just asking, google level 2 and 3 childcare job descriptions and look at the difference.

Have you looked in your local paper? They often have our local school jobs in there.
it will give you a good idea of what qualifications they are looking for...

I did my NVQ3 while I worked in a preschool. I'm leaving after xmas to work with a child one to one in a school...

2sugars - there's some good advice on this thread. The only thing I would add, is be prepared to be flexible about WHERE you work. Some people, particularly at primary level, get hung up about wanting to be a TA in their own children's school, or their local primary or whatever. If you are serious about wanting to be a TA, be prepared to go where the jobs are. All schools work to a tight budget these days - it's unlikely a school will be able to 'create' a job for you, and also, many TA jobs are temporary, or dependent on funded pupils remaining in the school. You will be taken more seriously if you make it clear you want to be a TA, rather than wanting a cosy job in your local school IYSWIM. Best of luck.

This has some info on training.

Some schools/LAs now insist on only employing qualified TAs, others will take on unqualified staff and give them training, some still just use unqualified staff, pay them a pittance and leave it at that.

At the school I work at, several of the TAs are parents of pupils or ex-pupils, IME it's a situation that can work very well or very badly, depending on the TA. (All our current TAs were appointed by the old head who retired in July, I think the new head may be more likely to look for qualified, or at least experienced staff)
We have one who has just finished the HLTA training & two more who are about to start it, while several others are doing the NVQ.

I'm a TA after swapping careers & leaving industry. I had a good educational background (good old fashioned O levels & higher professional qualifications). I did a L2 BTEC TA course whilst I was looking for a job. However others at the secondary school I work at were taken on with no TA quals. Soemtimes I thjink they look for people who will fit into the team. Certainly IMO TA quals seem to matter more at a primary school.

Just in case you are still looking for information on this....

I started as a TA about 3 years ago with no childcare qualifications at all. I did have some volunteering experience though in schools going back to when I was 16 and doing it in my free periods at 6th form. As a general rule you don't have to have any qualifications at all to be left alone with children just a full CRB check.

Your local authority however may have a policy whereby they won't allow any school to employ someone without at least some level of qualification to take up a TA post and it may be worth checking up with them. Also different Head teachers may have different views on what they will and won't accept by way of qualifications and these will be stated in individual job descriptions/person specifications for vacancies.

If you have any children under 4 you could try talking to Sure Start about childcare training as they offer free courses to parents of pre school children. There are also usually lots of adverts on local radio for childcare courses so that's worth a listen.

If your school takes you on without qualifications they will often support you to gain them as professional development. Mine did and I reached the HLTA standards last year and have taken up a post as an HLTA this year, but this is my ONLY qualification in relation to the care/education of children.

Hope this helps!