Becoming a teaching assistant - advice please!

[LauraK]

I'm hoping those of you that already work in this area can give me some advice....

I'm a qualified nursery nurse with 6 years experience, and at the moment I'm working part time (3 days) in a private nursery, the other 2 days I'm at home with 2 year old ds1 and 8 month old ds2.

Eventually when the boys are at school I want to do teacher training, but until then I want to get some experience working as a teaching assistant in schools.

I've applied a couple of times but not even got an interview, so obviously I'm not putting the right things on the app. form. What sort of things do they look for, and what areas of experience should I stress?

Also, quite a few mention experience in the curriculum, etc. Do I need to get experience working in a school maybe one day a week on a voluntary basis, or can I read up on these things?

Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm really at a loss as to what would be the best thing to do next!

Thanks in advance for your help

Anyone?!

I guess the people I need are all at work! I have another look tonight.

Bump!

No idea but just in case you think you're being ignored.....

BUMP

Cheers!

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Depends on your area Laura. We used to live 'down south', and generally there were always vacancies for classroom assistants, as the pay is fairly low. But here (NW) that's not the case. Last year our school advertised for a TA for KS1 and apparently got over 100 applicants, many of whom were highly qualified and experienced.

Check out the market in your area - ask at the local college, or phone a couple of schools. Some voluntary experience in a school would certainly help.

I have been working in my school for nearly 10 years and I really believe I got the job because I had done a placement there. I think volunteer work is a good way to get your foot in the door or if you can bare it go in as a lunchtime assistant or go on a supply register.

--Laura, do you follow the six areas of learning at nursery? This forms the basis of curriculum as they enter the school, so you do have experience!
Also, you can research this on line or books etc.
If you are able to go in for a half day, or even to do reading, I am sure this would help.
Good luck!!

My friend has just got a job as a classroom assistant after working at the school for 6 months as a dinner lady (are they called this any more?) - definitely being in the right place at the right time would help - it wasn't even advertised.