Would this be a good way of getting into teaching?

[Fel1x]

I have been a SAHM for nearly 5 years and before that I worked in a completely un-related industry that I will not be going back to.
I'd like to go into primary teaching, but will not be able to afford to study for a PGCE until DS2 starts school in 2.5 years time.
DS1 starts school this coming September and DS2 will start pre-school a couple of mornings a week so I should have a little more time to focus my efforts in the right direction.

I am thinking of volunteering to help out and read with the children at DS1's school each week, also thinking of volunteering elsewhere - I have looked on a volunteering website local to me and I could volunteer in a creche for a refugees womens group or volunteer with a SN child to help him access a local after school club. There may be other volunteering opportunities nearer the time so I will keep my eyes open!
I'm also looking at distance learning and have seen that Open University do a 'Certificate in supporting learning in Primary Schools' for Teaching Assistants and school helpers. You need to be volunteering in a school for 5 hours every week though to do this, throughout the entire course.
Would this be a good course to get me on the right track to eventually becoming a teacher? and if so, should I try and get a volunteer placement in DS1's school or would a different unrelated school be better?

Any other ideas?? Thanks

bump

No advice because I am in exactly the same position so watching with interest! I even have children the same ages as yours and am looking to do exactly the same course as you!
Spooky!

I don't have any experience but I do know that when my husband applied for his PGCE they were very keen that people had experience - as a minimum a week in school observing but I think volunteering in a school would look excellent.

Did you know you can train to be a teacher whilst being paid to work in a school? If you volunteer for the school then when the time comes you might be able to take that route with them as they will know you well?

I'd say volunteer in your DS's school - it will be far more convenient!

Hi

Definately get as much voluntary experience as you can, most schools want volunteers for reading etc but I'm sure if you explain that it's with a view to get into teacher you could be a bit more involved.

If you have already have a degree, you can get into teaching via the Graduate Teaching Programme, which basically means you are taken on as an unqualified teacher and study on the job as such.

Your local authority might have someone that deals with teacher recruitment and if so, should be able to give you advice on your options on getting into teaching.

The TDA website has loads of information (sorry can't do links). I recently finished my PGCE and have had temporary contracts rather than permanent ones. There are lots of teachers chasing very few jobs at the monent with over 100 applicants per job. It may of course be different when you qualify but it is worth considering.

You can also go the route of volunteering with scouts, brownies, etc. Showing that you have an interest in educating children is great, the more experience the better!

(TA who would be starting the PGCE next year if I hadn't gotten preg. Ooops. )

Thanks for all the good asvice!
Ilovehotchoc, how funny that we are in exactly the same boat!!

I am definitely going to do as much volunteering as I can fit in to build up my experience when DS1 starts school in September.

I am slightly unsure about the OU course though, as I really want to do a full PGCE and it seems a bit daft to do a teaching assistant course only to then do a PGCE a year or so later, but then I am not 100% sure we could afford for me to do PGCE even when both DCs at school in 2.5yrs time and if I wait too much longer after that I will be getting on a bit!!
So am wondering if I should just aim to become TA for now and get the experience plus think about doing the course and apply for TA jobs, then re-think in the future as and when I can afford PGCE.

To become a TA is it a good idea to do the OU course? or is voluntary experience on its own better/as good when applying for jobs?

Fel1x I was going to suggest you looked into paid work as a TA. Many schools have part time hours for TAs as statemented children often only attract funding for part time 1-1 support. If you have time to volunteer on a weekly basis then maybe you would have time to take regular paid hours? You would probably not need any more experience than you already have to get work as a TA- although I'm sure volunteering first would help.

If you did a couple of years as a TA it would strengthen your position to get on the GTP which would mean you never had to do the PGCE.

manyhands is right though, depending on where you live Primary jobs are pretty scarce right now and with public sector funding certain to be cut that is probably not going to change for a while which is something to consider.

I would volunteer first and get some experience. Then apply for paid TA work once yiu have experience behind you to earn monrey and continue to get more experience.

The TA type courses can be good. A friend did an OU one last year and i now doing her PGCE.

The experience will definitely stand you in good stead for applying for PGCSE places.

bear in mind too that primary school PGCE places are well sought after. You need to stand out.

TA to HLTA to Cover supervisor to PGCE could also look at GTP if have degree as paid employment for the year on the course