Have decided I want to be a teacher's assistant or similar

[ImuststopdrinkingBlossomhill]

Went into ds's class to help today and really enjoyed it.

I have been in before in nursery and reception and have to say didn't find that enjoyable. the children are much harder work wheras the year 2's seem so much more able to do things and are obvioulsy much more maturer.

What sort of qualifications would I need though? I am happy to go back to college as am currently at home all day and need something other than the housework, lunches with friends and the retail therapy I am currently getting

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See if you can catch Wedgiesmum online. I know she doesn't post so often now, but think she may still check in sometimes though - maybe CAT her. She started working as a teaching/classroom assitant in September and is loving it. No qualifications needed, as training is normally given.

I must stop drinking too, Blossomhill!
Anyway, I am a TA in yr 2, but have also worked in foundation (hard work!), year 1 & briefly in yr 3 (too scared to go any further!)
I have an NNEB diploma, but I think I am the only TA in the school that does!
My advise would be to offer your help in the school in some way (EG: to listen to children read etc), as I think this is one of the best ways to prove how brilliant you are!
A lot of TA's from my school got their jobs in this way.
Once you are in, there are loads of courses that you will have the chance to attend.

Sorry, just realised that you are already helping in your ds's class.
You are on the right track already!
Are you going to make it a regular thing?

Think it's a great idea BH, you go for it.

Think the qualifications thing very much varies from area to area.

I am yet to find a classroom assistants job round here that will accept an unqualified person.

What/where are LEA bulletins Yorkiegirl ??

bh - ds1's last lsa at mainstream was employed on the stregnth of being mum to a boy with AS. I don't know whether you'd consider SN, but your dd would be good "experience" (awful to put it like that though!) Being a "mum" as well to a boy with sn made her a good lsa (from my pov anyway)

The LSWs in our school are all encouraged to work towards GNVQ (and higher) qualifications if they don't have such qualifications already

Nutty all Birmingham jobs are advertised here . What about emailing all your local schools in case they have anything?

Thanks everyone

Think I will go back to college and train as I like the idea of going to college anyway!

Jimjams - I think that's what I'd really like to do, work with special needs children. Obvioulsy us sn mums have lots of experience so that would be a big bonus.

I really enjoyed today working with the year 2's. As when I helped in the nursery and rception it just seemed so much harder and you spend most of it having to tell them how to behave etc wheras the year 2's, although obvioulsy needed assistance, were quite self sufficient.

It was also lovely to see ds in his class. Without being big headed but he is such a good boy and got his head down and did the work without any fuss at all. It was very reassuring and the teacher was lovely with the children and I really enjoyed being in the class. Infact found it a bit of a buzz. Will def. carry on helping, although have to say I find the creative stuff more interesting than reading!!!!

Talk of the devil and she will surely appear!

PArt of my not posting so much any more is my lovely new job! I am working with Y3's and absolutely loving it. But as I am now working 5 days a week (was working 2.5 days before) I am so tired in the evening after the school/nursery run that I don't get near the pc!

I don't have any formal childcare qualifications but have volunteered in various schools since I was a teenager. I have worked with Foundation, KS1 and KS2 children, and find the KS2 the most rewarding. School encourages me to go on lots of training courses and has asked if I will train as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (which you can only do if you are currently employed as a TA I think). Also I think they liked the fact that I have a child with certain behavioural 'difficulties', as the experience has obviously given me some very good coping skills which are transferable (so anything like that is well worth including on an application form IME!).

I would say keep volunteering in school, because then if you do a college course they may give you your work experience as they know you and know how you react with the children. They may also know about any suitable job vacancies as they will have access to the LEA job sheet every week! You might want to see about volunteering in other year groups as well to see which age group you are really interested in working with.

HTH. Please CAT me if you would like to talk about it further - then can hear me drone further about how much I love my job!!!