Applying for PGCE with only nursery experience

[Whenwilligrowup]

Hoping someone with a bit of experience can enlighten me here! I currently work full time as an unqualified nursery assistant in a private day nursery (0-5) and I'm studying for an OU degree in English. My goal is to apply for a Primary PGCE in ages 3-7 but I'm worried my nursery experience won't be seen as enough. I did spend a year before I got my job and pre covid coming into my son's school 2 mornings per week to listen to readers etc , but I feel like this somt be classed as recent enough by the time I'm able to apply (hopefully applying 2022 for 2023 intake) . I do volunteer at Beavers once a week which perhaps helps?!
Anyone been in a similar situation or know much about the criteria for primary PGCE?

We would definitely interview you.
This year,with Covid, we have accepted people onto the ITT Primary PGCE who have not set foot in a primary school since the age of 11 and have much less experience of any contact with children.
In your application, talk about your early EYFS experience through your nursery role, your knowledge of primary schools through your volunteering and your own DC's education, and your understanding of the joys and challenges of working with the older end of the 3-7 age range with your Beavering. Sum up with why that combination of experiences has given you a passion for 3-7 teaching and job's a good 'un!
You have a lot to offer.

When I said 'with Covid', these were candidates who had volunteering lined up in schools and nurseries, but the pandemic stopped that.

That sounds like plenty.

You've got FAR more experience than most - including different age children and including the 'daily grind'

As pp says, that's more than many.

As far as other criteria goes, you will need GCSE grade c or equivalent in English, Maths and Science for primary (the Science requirement sometimes catches people out.)

Yeo you would be fairly considered.
I did an OU degree, all my experience was EYFS and I am currently a trainee teacher.
In your personal statement refer to the fact that working while studying with the ou and bringing up a child has taught you resilience and shows you and self-motivated.