HELP!!! Preschool playgroup assistant interview

[LadyU]

hi everyone, I am in need of a LOT of advice as I have an interview next week for a job as a pre-school assistant 2 days a week. I have worked with children and parents before as a student midwife - unfortunately that line of work is closed to me now (I couldn't afford to carry on after i got pregnant with my son) but I've no experience in this type of work. I am willing to learn and even though the job is only 2 days I really need the money.

I have read the school/playgroup reports and about the Welsh Playgroup Association and my head is totally kufuffled by Estyn/Foundation Stage! But I have ZERO idea of the sort of things they will ask me at interview or the type of responses they are looking for. I get severe panic at interviews unless i am totally prepared so any help anyone can give me will be most definately gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Are you in Wales or England?

They may ask you things like:

What experence have you had- You could talk about midwifery and your son how much you have learn from him.

They may ask you something specific like how you would try and settle a child who is upset at leaving Mum or Dad. Distraction, calm voice etc.

They may ask you your knowladge of Foundation Phase (Wales) Foundation Stage (England)

They may want to know if you would be up for doing a qualification, I think the old government was trying to get everyone that works in Early years to be qualified.

I got asked lots of 'What would you do' type questions, like what would you do if you saw a parent in a supermarket and they started talking about concerns for their child, or if you had suspicions of abuse. As assistant you would generally voice concerns to others and not question the child for the latter, and try and encourage a meeting at the setting to discuss formally to the former.

You might be asked what you know of the Foundation phase and Every Child Matters, do a bit of googling to get some info. Or it might be an idea to get a copy of a magazine called Nursery world to have a look through to give you an idea of how things are done.

They will probably talk to you a bit about inclusion and diversity, maybe to get your views on that.

Ask some questions too, like what sort of things will you do during induction (not sure about Wales, but we HAVE to have one in England) and if you will have an opportunity to read through the policies and procedures of the setting.

And it's always good to find out as much about the setting as you can.

Good Luck!

thanks guys, really appreciate you taking the time to answer!!!

I've done interviews for Pre-school before. I would say as they've read your CV they'll know you don't have qualifications or experience so you'll need to sell them on the qualities and experience you do have plus a willingness to learn. The problem they'll have is that until you're qualified at NVQ3 you don't count in the ratios. At a minimum I would make sure you're seen as keen to get qualified to NVQ3 level, or beyond.

Qualified at Level 2 to count in ratios.
Also........my big bug bear - it is just Level 3 (or 2,4,5,6) Not specifically 'NVQ'

The new qualifaction framework has now started and soon NVQs (in childcare anyway) will be a thing of the past. Although they will still be valid qualifications.

They may ask about child protection, working as part of a team, child development - I know they were questions thrown at me last year. Good luck!

as a level 2 you are qualifed and included in the ratio. you are just unable to be left in the building alone..! qu's you may be asked... in a situation such as... child wet themselves what would you do (b4 your crb check - you would get someone else to take the child to get changed. CRB IS A CHECK THE PRE-SHCOOL WILL HAVE TO GET DONE ON you before youare able to do nappies etc...). how would you tell a child off for biting and what is the biting policy in tht pre-school (there should be one as 2 yr olds are prone to bite!)or what do you know about SENCO (special education co-ordinators). google it you will get some good info. think of an activity you could do in the room and perhaps see what area of development it could develop,,,
* GOOD LUCK - LET US NO HOW YOU DID"!