Has anyone done one of those distant learning courses you know where you study at home?

[Fimbo]

I need to get myself qualified quickly to teaching assistant level 3 status. Learning like this would be ideal for me, have seen a course that I could do. Has anybody tried it and recommend any particular company/place?

You'd really need some voluntary experience too.

I am currently a TA but will have no job in September due to budget cuts will be difficult to find another job without a qualification despite experience. The teacher I currently work with, will have me voluntarily and has offered to mentor me too.

I am a TA in Foundation Stage. I first worked voluntarily in the classroom (whilst my DS was there) and then got a job in the classroom as a TA - did "on the job" training. I did do a course with International Correspondence Schools (ICS) although that was for another childcare qualification and they were excellent. You'll find them on the net. Good luck, have been in the job 7 years now and love it! The kids are the reward!

If you work with children under 8 this is a good course. You do need to be working with children at the same time though (either paid or voluntarily).