I've been a stay at home mum for the past 8 years, however my youngest is 3 and I'm looking towards the future as I want to be a teaching assistant, I have previous childcare experience (and obvoiusly 3 of my own) What qualifications do I need, if any?
2006-11-07 22:45:59 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Hello there,
I have recently applied for teaching assistant posts and a childcare qualification is not essential. It does help if you have had previous experience working with children but again this is not essential. Volunteering is a great idea to get your foot in the door and is good fun also. You can volunteer say for 1/2 a day a week to get an impression of the job and this also gives you the experience. If you fancy this, write or email your local primary schools (you can get a list on your council's website) and tell them you would like to volunteer. Tell them why etc and also say that you will pay for your own Disclosure Form (that’s what its called in Scotland and its £20-this needs to be done in order for someone to work in a primary school or with any vulnerable group- it lists criminal convictions etc). Of course if you would rather go for paid employment straight away - check your local councils website for teaching assistant vacancies, these will come with a person specification and job description, listing what is required from you. Or check with your careers office and they can give you out loads of useful info on this particular post. Also check the link below as this gives useful info on what type of work you will be doing and re qualifications.
Good luck and just go for it! :)
2006-11-07 23:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by zowee77 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was a stay at home mum for 12 years before I went back to work as a teaching assistant. I didn't need any specific qualifications. I am now at home again with my youngest child but hope to go back to train as a teacher in the next year or so. There are courses you can take that are relevant to assisting teachers but they aren't compulsory. I found the job very satisfying, tho hard work at times and often challenging! It's great when you get results tho and makes all the trials and tribulations seem insignificant. Good luck and just start applying for vacancies x x
2006-11-08 06:58:29 · answer #2 · answered by katieplatie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best way is offer to do volletere work at your kids school and explain what you want to do for the future a good teacher assistant is hard to come by these days and normality they will bit your hand of straight away you could be working next week..
they will very likely train you. all you will probably need is a CRB check that could take a couple of months to go through the system. The school will tell you all this. I have been a teaching assistant for a few years then i was put forward for the training using the school i was in and now i work at a high secure prison teaching .
2006-11-08 06:54:57 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Youll need good literacy and numeracy skills (A*-C in English & Maths or similar) and childcare experience. The pay isn't great and to be honest it is one of the least glamorous jobs out there- so they'll be looking for the right personality and sticking power.
Good luck. A good TA is a real bonus to any classroom.
2006-11-08 11:52:43 · answer #4 · answered by squeezy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where you are. In LI, I would have had to better certified, so I was a one-on-one aide instead.
In the rural area where I am now, they are starting to crack down on law breaking but will use subs if they have to, because staffing is scarce.
You can work first, then take tests.
Either way, it's a good idea to get going!
2006-11-08 09:00:55 · answer #5 · answered by starryeyed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to do a course at your local college, The course your looking for is the CACHE Certificate for teaching assistants.
If you have the time try and volunteer at your local primary School too.
Good Luck !
2006-11-08 06:49:40 · answer #6 · answered by emma v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your Education Offices at City/Town/County Hall and ask to apply for Teaching Assistant Course. It will help your application if you gain experience as volunteer at a school. Most schools, especially Primaries, will welcome volunteers.
Why not try your children's school?
Good Luck.
2006-11-08 06:58:20 · answer #7 · answered by John H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you call your local board of education and see what the requirements are?
That seems to be the best, since there are a lot of possible qualifications
2006-11-08 06:51:07 · answer #8 · answered by Chief BaggageSmasher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife is a primary school teacher and her teaching asst has no qualifications, and to be honest is about as bright as the kids.
good luck to you.
you might need it with the kids nowdays.
2006-11-08 06:48:21 · answer #9 · answered by need2know 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do need qualifications unfortunately i can't remember what it's called, but phone up the colledge and they will help you OK good luck
2006-11-08 06:50:00 · answer #10 · answered by MISSY G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋