PGCE or 3 yr degree?

[Bugsy73]

Hi, I wasn't sure where to post this, hoping someone on here may have some experience. My dd is interested in early years education. She is looking at a 3yr teaching degree to start after yr13.
I don't in any way want to her dissuade her from this as I think she'll make an excellent teacher; but for those who have experience, would she be better to do a degree in another subject (related specifically to her A levels) and do a PGCE following this all being well?
Just wondering if an extra 3 yrs of maturing and getting a bit of uni life experience etc would be beneficial before being chucked into a classroom, or is a 3yr teaching degree a better option?
Hope I've made sense 😂
Thank you

There's swings and roundabouts to both.

The BEd (as was) used to be much more focussed on teaching, and have more time on teaching practice, etc. but it is putting all your eggs in the one basket.

I started off doing a primary degree, then was unsure I wanted to be a primary teacher first, then on teaching practice couldn't see my self teaching for the rest of my life, so transferred onto a normal degree. I followed it up with a secondary PGCE and then taught in a private school teaching year 5 upwards and into sixth form.

The problem with the teaching degree, is it is very narrow if you don't want to teach!

I agree that the old B.Ed (I think generally people do 'Primary Education with QTS' now ??) is by far and away the better route in to teaching in Early Years or Primary - far more practical experience makes for far better teachers.

In terms of the high % of teachers that have left within their fist 5 years though - is it not still true that a really high % of people working in graduate jobs don't use their actual degree or work in jobs that have anything to do with their degree ? In which case, if your dd changes her mind, I don't think she will be any worse off than having done History or Psychology or Photography or Film Studies.

I think a degree in another subject and then PGCE would offer more life long options. As previously said a B(Ed) is narrow, although I'm sure you could spin it, but it does limit you to primary really, whereas a standard degree +PGCE leave the secondary setting open.

Check out the Teach First training programme for post grad teacher training for secondary school teaching. Two years, in the classroom from the get go, QTS after the 1st year and PGDE in yr 2. All uni fees paid, plus paid as TA in Yr 1 and 1st Yr QTS for yr 2. Lots of support

My husband did a geology degree then PGCE. He's been able to teach both geography and now science so I think it's given him more options.

Graduates can still go on to graduate jobs ( ie business related etc). There are still options!

Dies she actually WANT to do the PGCE route? Don’t pressure her into doing something she doesn’t want to do. However, applicants need to do work experience in order to gain a space, so that they know what they’re getting into

Spotcheck, I don't think she has really considered the PGCE route to be honest. It's definitely more something that I have thought about.
I don't want to persuade her either way, more that I want her to consider all her options I suppose.