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Original poster

Working as a teaching/classroom assistant

13 replies

nutcracker · 02/10/2004 20:34

I think this subject has been done before but i couldn't find it.

After all the flapping about i did over the past few weeks about my future career I have finally come to the desicion that I am not the type of person who would be happy working long anti social hours and having to juggle the time i spend with my kids.

I am now thinking that a good job for me would be as a teaching/classroom assistant, as i like working with kids and wouldn't have to many probs with childcare as i would be off in the school hols.

I think now that most positions require you to have a childcare qualification so does anyone know which would be the best to do ???
I have been looking at the Cache one (formerly nneb i think), and the nvq, but i'm not sure which one would be best really.

The other thing was, when you work as a TA do you have a salary that is worked out over the whole year so that you still get paid in the hols ???

Any info at all would be great

OP posts:

Hulababy · 02/10/2004 20:37

Nutcracker - seek out Wedgiesmum. She has just started working as a TA this term and she is loving every second of it.

This thread is all about being a classroom assistant - very recent one. Wedgiesmum replied on there.

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/10/2004 20:39

Ahhh thanks Hula, i was looking in the wrong place.

Got the reins by the way, thanks they are great and have used them already

OP posts:

Miaou · 02/10/2004 20:42

I don't know if this is any help Nutty, I am a classroom assistant but work in Scotland so what happens up here may be different. I get my pay spread over 12 months too which is a great help. I don't have (or have to have) any qualifications at the moment, but in Scotland they are just starting to work towards qualifications with the aim of all classroom assistants having a qualification by 2006.

I LOVE my job too (although I think I have an easy life as there are only 8 kids in the school!)

If you've got any questions feel free to ask.

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/10/2004 20:50

Miaou - Thanks for that, it was a great help. I think most TA's are payed like that which does make sense as no one would want a job where they didn't get payed for 13 weeks of the year.

Most of the TA jobs around here used to say applications were welcome from qualified or unqualified people but now the majority ask for qualifications.

I don't mind having to get a qualification though, in fact i think i'd prefer that.

OP posts:

tamum · 02/10/2004 20:52

It might be worth trying to get some experience helping in your dds's classes nutty, if you haven't done it already- give some indication of how serious you are, and some useful background generally. When I used to help in ds's class another mother brought her youngest child with her, so you might be able to do that?

Original poster

nutcracker · 02/10/2004 20:56

Oh right really. Haven't volunteered before because i don't have anyone to have Ds for me.

I could ask my mom to have him ocasionally on her days off i suppose though. I'll have to speak to her about that.

Thanks Tamum

OP posts:

tamum · 02/10/2004 20:58

That would be better still Good luck!

WedgiesMum · 02/10/2004 21:20

Hula is right I love my new job, work with 3 Y3 classes and it is wonderful. I don't have any childcare qualifications but do have experience of volunteering - and even if you could do some time here and there or an hour a week to listen to readers or work with a numeracy group then I think that would be really helpful. Please let me know if I can help further.

WMxx

Slinky · 02/10/2004 21:38

Wedgiesmum

Did you ask if any jobs were going - or were they advertised?

I'm planning on becoming a TA - already volunteer in the school (have done for the last 18 months) - currently have 2 sessions with Reception and 1 session with KS1. All sessions involve me taking them out of the classroom to do painting, junk modelling, roleplay, cooking, construction etc etc. On Tuesday, I'm taking a group of Reception children out on a Spider Hunt! (not overkeen on spiders myself so that should be interesting )

I am currently studying via OU - am doing the "Understanding Children" to start but I really want to do the "Supporting Childrens Learning in the Primary School" which is a new course starting next October.

Have just been offered my old job back (in a childrens nursery) but TBH I would much rather "up" my voluntary work in the school (I have to do my working in the school as its a requirement on some of the OU courses).

Do you think it's worth me dropping HUGE hints at the school about my intentions? How did you get your job?

WedgiesMum · 04/10/2004 19:55

Sorry - should have got back sooner!!

My job was advertised in the paper and on our County Council job sheet. I had been volunteering in DS's school for a while and was looking to change career and these jobs came up. Round here (Derbyshire) it seems that all the TA/CA jobs are advertised in the local paper under the County Council general vacancies, but I do know that lots of our non teaching staff got their jobs having had some contact with the school before and applying as posts became vacant.

I think it is worthwhile asking at school if there are any vacancies coming up as they will be on the lookout for suitable people. they may also know if any other schools locally have vacancies. Also check out your County Council website for vacancies and the local papers.

Hope this is helpful, and the best of luck. Hope it goes well with the spiders tomorrow - rather you than me

Slinky · 04/10/2004 21:36

Thanks Wedgiesmum

Did speak to the Early Years Co-ordinator today, explained what I was interested in, my studies etc. Have increased my Voluntary stuff - she told me that being in the school would help me loads. Apparently, 2 of the TAs in KS1 got their jobs from doing "volunteer" work then applying for the jobs as they came in.

Have already been looking on the Council's website for vacancies in the area, so hopefully something will come up

Really looking forward to the Spider Hunt (NOT!!) - actually hoping it's going to rain as Icing Biscuits is our alternative activity in case of bad weather

Thanks again!

Goldfish · 05/10/2004 21:12

I have been a TA for 5 years now. I started in yr 2 and have been in Reception for 3 years . I love my job. It fits in great with my 2 ds who are now at Middle school. We get the same holidays so I can always spend loads of time with my kids and I still have the extra money for holidays and so on. It is the first job I have ever had that I actually want to go to in the morning.

Goldfish · 05/10/2004 21:14

BTW meant to say that I got the job through doing voluntary work at the school and doing the odd dinner duty when they were desparate.

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