I'm currently working in admin but looking at a change of career. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine but I just don't know where to start. I've considered training to be a Teaching Assistant but I've heard a few horror stories which have put me off.

I guess what I'm after is just some advice of how to get started in working with children, and your experiences if you worked / have worked with children.


Cheers,

Greenrat

:thumbsup:Hi There Dont Be Put Off. Follow Your Passion I Did, Best Thing I Ever Did, I Did A College Course For 2 Years And Now Have A Diploma In Childcare. I Can Work In A Range Of Setting Via Being A Teaching Assistant, Early Years Worker, Child Minder Plus Lots More.
I Have Alway Wanted To Work With Children With Disabilities And Special Educational Needs, Am Now Actually Working In A Speical School As A Teaching Assistant. And Love It.:thumbsup::P GO FOR IT

Have you thought about a modern apprenticeship in Child Care? Working on the job, and training towards a qualification at the same time.

Hi I've just finished a CACHE Teaching Assistant course at sheffield college, I really enjoyed it and am wanting to take it further now i've finished.

The course I did was one day at college and one day on placement in a primary school which was brill. Everyone I worked with were really supportive, it's even helped me out with my own little one's learning to and has given me a better understanding of what to expect when they get to school.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

What horror stories have you heard?! I'm a teaching assistant in a primary school, I enjoy it. The pay is not good but I'm considering a career as an educational psychologist so it's good experience for me.

I love working in a primary school, the environment is so friendly and lively and no two days are the same! I've always known I'm not one for working in an office.

You could become a TA without the qualification if you have other qulaifications and do some voluntary classroom work.

hi im stuck need some advise been working in my sons primary school for 1 or 2 days since last oct while on a classroom assistant course passed that at xmas then did entry level 3 maths part 1 and level 1 in english which i passed do u need level 2 for all teaching assistant courses keep looking for a job but none seem to come up thanks

Hi When I Went To College I Needed To Have Level 2 In Maths And In English. To Get On A Diploma Level 3 In Childcare And Education, I Was Going For Teaching Assistants Course But They Said That I Would Be Better Off Doing The Above Course. Hope This Helps
Some People Will Take Unqualifified Staff But Its Just Finding Them.

Don't forget you could train in playwork! Contact the Out of School Network in Sheffield, and maybe Sheaf Training

It is not a bad idea to get training on the job, it might help, because as well as getting experience in the relevant field, you will also be able to train and get qualifications, which will help you in the future.