Would like to be a Classroom Assistant

jmabnc

I would like to become a Classroom Assistant,I am a parent,I live in North Down,please could someone give me some advice on how to train(I would be a mature student,in my 30's),sorry if this is posted in the wrong place..:rolleyes:

Has anyone any advice Please,I would really like to do this....:o

I love this site......:T

minimoneysaver

You can train through your local college or an online company like ICS uk teaching assistant course: distance learning classroom assistant training course - ICS Learn

dumbo

yOU CAN DO AN NVQ LEVEL 3 CHILDCARE & EDUCATION COURSE. tHIS IS HOW i BECAME A CLASSROOM ASSISTANT IN MY EARLY 30S THRU MY LOCAL COLLEGE. iT CONSISTED OF 1 DAY A WEEK IN COLLEGE & 1 DAY A WEEK IN A CLASSROOM SETTING. HOPE THIS IS OF HELP

kyral

Hi,

I began volunteering in my kids school two years ago, just two hours a day three times a week. A classroom assistants job came up in April and I was offered the job on a temporary basis until the end of June (I have no childcare qualifications). I have really enjoyed it and the headmistress has sent me on training courses relevant to the P4 + P2 classes I work in. I have now been offered the chance to take up the job again in September and she is contacting the local technical college to enrol me on the NVQ course so I do get the qualification.

I probably just got a lucky break but its another way of getting through the door. Im in my late 30's.

Mollymop5

I have an interview tomorrow for a course at my local college.It's a Cache certificate in Teaching Assistants.I also volunteer at a local school but rang the information centre at my local college for advice.

jmabnc

Thanks to all who give advice,

Mollymop,good luck with the interview,I have to get a placement from september until june,have to start ringing around a few schools,hopefully I will get one....Thanks again.......

julie97au

HI

I have just completed my CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education. It took me three years, one night a week at my local tech, though I will warn you, there are a lot of assignments and child observations which need to be done in your own time, plus placements in schools, though I did part of my placement at my local parent and toddler group. There is an exam at the end and I have not long qualified and been for my first job intereview, where I was first reserve - the post went to a girl who had been working in a temporary capacity in the school for the past 4 years. I thoroughly enjoyed the course - as much as to get time for just me for a few hours a week and not having to worry about kids or husband:j . Enquire at your local college - it is well worth the time and effort.

curly_B

If you can I would volunteer locally in a school and train whilst you do this. I work in foundation stage in a primary school where 2 people have got jobs doing this.Also 2 TA'S got jobs at the end of their course( they had been placed with us by college) and another who got an N.N.E.B. job was a parent after using the school as a placement. Staff usually use this time finding out how you work and what kind of person you are and it helps when jobs become available. Also if hours suddenly arrise due to special needs problems you could be considered !

ywnwa

I did my NVQ 3 at Ards Tech college on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 for 2 years (I too was in my early/mid 30s). If you're a parent most of it is common sense. Placement is something like 6 hours a week - but you can be flexible with it. I did mine in the nursery of my children's school when they were in the primary which was handy as I always finished before them, then in my second year I requested a placement in the Primary to get a wider range of experience. I also was given a position during my second year in the class where I was a student.

On a downside tho' - classroom assistant jobs are great while they last - particularly the special needs positions - but unfortunately with all the education cut-backs I found that they were very short lived. I combined mine with office work - but once the classroom work came to an end because the child moved to a different school - I was suddenly out of work - thankfully I had the office work to fall back on.