NVQ level 2 Childcare-part time

[wooga]

Hi, if anyone's doing this course part-time can I ask how much practical you need to do alongside the course?
I want to start the evening course that's once a week in September and am wondering about volunteering at pre-schools/schools-how much do I need to do to gain the practical experience?
Any advice would be fantastic,thanks.

I did my Level Four and did at least 5 hours per week (volunteered for two sessions). Not sure if this is the same for every course.

I completed a Level 3 just before Christmas .

when I intally appiled for it i was only going to be doing ! sessiona week at a playgroup ( 4hrs ) which the college said was acceptabel as I had children of my own and was a prent helper at the school.

In the end I eneded working 3 sessions a week .

You really need a placemnet as a NVQ is all about work based assessment .

If you end up only with on sesison a week then you may find that the course takes a bit longer, but I think you have two years to do it anyway.

If you cannot get a paid placemnet then a playgroup/ school would jumpo at having an extra 'unpaid' pair of hands !

Had trouble getting mumsnet then!

Thank you Clay and Captain-I had to leave TA job (which I loved) late last year when I split with my exh-childcare problems.

Now I'm finding it so hard to even get an interview-am hoping that doing this course will be a start-they all want minimum of NVQ 2.

My mum's already said she'll babysit once a week in the evening and my dd will be doing morning sessions at pre-school in September.

Would love a paid placement, but they're like gold-dust.

Course is expensive,but hopefully will help me get a job after.

If you were a TA then you might be better off going straight to a NVQ3.

Also conatct your Early Years at the local council you may getting funding for it.

got my first year funded and expenses to cover books, stationary, travel and if ncessary childcare .

I didn't know I could go straight to NVQ 3-will see about that as will save paying out for both NVQs,thanks!

You can - I went straight into a NVQ3 - as they said I was a 'mature' student , i.e a Mum of two also I had volunteered in a playgroup and school .

I see absolutely no reason why you should not be able to do it espacilly if you have been a TA.

You should also be able to get funded one way or another to do it .

Am mum of 2-one with autism-so plenty of experience that classes me as a 'mature' student!

I wish I hadn't lacked confidence and chickened out of the course when I left school-15 years (and many crappy jobs) later, I need to do it for the jobs I love!