ETA being asked to move to preschool

[Asvan]

I currently work as an ETA in a school and have worked with children between the ages of 5-11. I really enjoy working at the school and have been there for five years. Recently, there have been a few redundancies and hours cut because of cuts in budget and I'm lucky that I've come out of it unscathed.

Anyway, my manager at work emailed me and has told me that from September they want me to work in the preschool setting which is attached to the school. This will mean working with two year olds. I have never worked in a nursery setting before and the few times when I've had to cover I found it really difficult. It's just not for me. Plus I don't think I would feel comfortable doing personal care.

I know people will think that I should be happy that I've got a job but I'm just so upset. I know I'm going to absolutely hate it and there's nothing I can do. Our headteacher has never changed his mind about where he wants people so I don't think talking to him is going to help.

I have got a degree and I was planning to apply for teacher training in the next few years when my own children are older so I need to keep my foot in the door.

Can anyone advise me on what to do please? At the moment I am contemplating handing my notice in. It's causing me so much stress and I can't help but cry.

Please help.

Either hand your notice in, or see it as a challenge and rise to it.
Do some reading, research working with two year olds. Explore the current debates in education.

Covering in a class a couple of times is very different to actually working in it.

Do you hold a relevant childcare qualification?
2 year old provision run by schools has to have qualified staff ratios.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

If not maybe point that out to them

I would have felt the same as I greatly preferred working with juniors. It may strengthen your application for teacher training however as they are keen on cross phase experience.

It may strengthen your application for teacher training however as they are keen on cross phase experience

QTS doesn't cover 2-year olds and so I would doubt it. .

When I started my PGCE I was adamant I would only teach KS2 - in fact I’d agonised as to whether to teach secondary or primary. I didn’t like the sheer neediness of small children (I have enough of that at home). I ended up in Year 1. And I’ve discovered I love teaching infants. I would be really keen to work in Reception - and I never thought I’d say that.

I think it’s worth having a chat with the head (assuming they are in any way approachable), whilst accepting it’s not going to change anything. But definitely have a go before handing your notice in - if you hate it, it’s only 13 or so weeks to get through before Christmas.

Site to check if your qualification counts

www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder

Only half the staff in 2 year old provision need to be qualified.

Only half the staff in 2 year old provision need to be qualified.

In practice in a school 2 year old setting they really all need to be qualified as there re not additional staff for cover etc. It is a false economy to have unqualified staff (and the OP doesn't sound cheaper anyway).

Some Heads are not as clued up on qualifications for school led childcare provision as they should be.

Have they asked you to do this voluntarily or as a mandatory move?

If it is mandatory this really doesn't sound like a comparable role moving from 5-11 year olds to 2 year olds.

Is there a HR function you can ask?

Just tell him that it's not something that you'd consider.
Then look for another role.

Hi everyone thanks for your replies.

The school is an Academy school that takes children from ages 2-11. When I applied for the job it was to support in year upper key stage 2, which was more suited to my skills. Over the years I have worked across all year groups but this is the first time I've been asked to work with two year olds.

I did speak to my manager yesterday and he did say he understood how I felt but he said I should try and see how I feel after a few months. So I really have no choice and I don't want to come across as being unreasonable.

One of the main things I am struggling with is the personal care side of things. I don't know why but I would feel so uncomfortable about changing nappies and toilet training, it's just something I never envisioned doing. Really not looking forward to September.

Do you have a relevant qualification to work with 2-year olds? Any head would be foolish to put an unqualified person in a 2 year old provision as they would be very restricted in how they could work.

I have aA Levels and a degree, no specific childcare qualifications. Really not sure how he thinks this is a good idea?

So you are not qualified and so can only count as the unqualified person.Will the staffing meet the legal requirement below with you included?

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/596629/EYFS_STATUTORY_FRAMEWORK_2017.pdf

3.32. For children aged two:
34 Ofsted may determine that providers must observe a higher staff:child ratio than outlined here to ensure the safety and welfare of children.
23
• there must be at least one member of staff for every four children
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification

I work in the two year old's class at a private school. All our staff are level 3 qualified - although it would be possible to have level twos as long as there was always a level 3 on duty. We have one staff member per 4 children.

They will need to put you through your training I think. I would definitely be asking about your qualifications in relation to the ratio of staff.

I would make sure that your manager:

Is aware of the EYFS staffing requirements

Understands that you do not hold a relevant L2 or L3 qualification in early years and childcare

Most school 2 year old provision is very small and so have a low number of staff. It is very hard to meet the staffing requirements at all times unless all staff are qualified.

I think because our school is an Academy things work slightly differently.

My manager knows that I'm not qualified or experienced in childcare but yet I have still been backed into a corner. I have enjoyed working at the school up until now but I'm just so upset that it's come to this. I have started looking for other jobs but that will obviously take time.

The EYFS applies to academies too.

The qualification thing may or may not be an issue depending on how staffing is organised but it might be worth bringing up to see if you can wiggle out of it.

I think because our school is an Academy things work slightly differently

No - it is the same for 2 year old provision in all settings including academies, free schools and maintained schools. No difference at all.

Is it a mix of 2-5yo in the room or just 2-3yo?

The preschool is in a separate building to the rest of the school so where I work it will just be 2-3 year olds.