Anyone done gtp with a toddler?

[Dbsparkles]

I've been offered a school direct place, but am on the verge of turning it down. I have a 2 year old son and would have to live away from my husband in the week, and think I'd struggle with the workload and giving my son the attention he deserves. Was just wondering what other people's experiences were? Thank you for any replies.

Not the same but DH did it when out youngest was 3 or 4. She was already in nursery pretty much full time as he and I had both been at work.

It was fine. He loved it and it suited him perfectly. It was hard work and time consuming ( but no more or less than being a full time teacher!)

May I rudely ask how old you are and what your work environment experience is though- he was early 30s and came out of project management in industry where he was very used to handling people- workers and clients/senior management . He felt these skills helped him survive in a very " think on your feel/get in there and do it" type course. He knew this was how it was and didn't want to do a PCGE with a lot of college based work. He did observe that it would be a really tough way in for people without a deal of life experience and skills under their belt. For instance parents evenings have never phased him at all.

Best of luck

Thank you, I'm 32 and worked in the pharmaceutical industry, but have been at home full time with my son since he was born.
It's mainly the long days, putting him into full time childcare and having to do loads of work at home whilst looking after him alone that I'm worried about.

Hello OP.

I didn't do gtp but am familiar with the process.
There is only you who knows how you cope under pressure and there is a lot of pressure both with gtp and the traditional PGCE.
FWIW I did a PGCE at our local college/ franchised from a really good uni.
I think if you are local the academic and practical sides are manageable but I wouldn't have wanted to add distance or being away for the week to this. At the time I had 2 dc in high school and a baby.
Is there some reason you don't want to do a PGCE. There really is a shocking amount of work involved and I'm thinking that it may be easier for you to find something nearer to home if you think you could study better.
There isn't an easy answer really, its personal choice.
Do you know exactly what is involved? Speak to your course provider and ask what the workload is actually like and then factor in the worst case scenario of the school you have a place. for example, some expect planning, prepping resources, assessment, others expect a few pounds of flesh as well.
Apologies if I sound like I'm trying to put you off, I just think its important to be honest and say it how it is.
I do think you should go ahead if it is what you really want to do, but make sure you have thought of the long haul rather than just the end result.
Good luck

Don't apologise! I think what is scaring me is that I did a bit of teaching at a local college and the amount of planning time required was intense and I know this is 100 times more!! I think I know in my heart it will be too much, just so sad to pass up this opportunity.

Db

You sound the right age and level of experience to me :) Don't swither into a PGCE if you'd be better suited to the full on " get teaching" type approach of the GTP. There might have been a single occasion early on when DH felt a bit light on the theoretical side of teaching but it was easy to look up and find out, but he was please to get all the classroom time he did.

After all, like all professions the theory/guidelines etc move daily!

If you know it'll be too much then what about delaying a year?

Sorry I worded it badly, my oh would be away in the week and coming home and weekends.

What is it about the PGCE that doesn't float your boat, so to speak .
I found the workload unbearable at times, with 3 dc. It was worth it in the end though and besides the teaching a really good qual to have.
Some/most planning and work related paperwork i did at college during working hours. The actual essays, non work related I did at home after dc went to bed.
It is doable if you can get family members on board to ocassionally take up the slack, and if you are prepared to let your housework standards slip for the year.

I did it when dc bit older, 6 and 9. Am single parent. Was a brilliant year, am finding the workload heavier as NQT.