Childcare and Education (Level 3 NCFE CACHE Diploma) New City College

2

just found this forum
So quick rundown
I am dropping out of a levels and really want to be a primary teacher /nursery worker
Anyone whose done the course let me know what the structure is like, coursework questions and your university/career now
Would be really helpful!!!

Reply 1

Songbird19

13

Original post

by ani.05

just found this forum
So quick rundown
I am dropping out of a levels and really want to be a primary teacher /nursery worker
Anyone whose done the course let me know what the structure is like, coursework questions and your university/career now
Would be really helpful!!!

About 10 years ago I did a level 3 in early years care and education. Worked as a preschool assistant, teaching assistant (yr4 and 5) and nanny. All low wages! At one point I briefly toyed with doing a degree in childhood studies but I’m not focussed and don’t like academia. I have never wanted to be a teacher and several teachers I worked with as a TA have either left teaching or want to. It’s a brutal job atm. Definitely get some work experience if you can. I’m not saying don’t do it but don’t be delusional - it is tough and with a lot of pressure (ofsted to head, head to SMT, SMT to teachers, parents to teachers and teachers to themselves) Hopefully things will improve but it’s been going downhill for a long time now. On the plus side it’s great you have found a course that captures you more than a levels! My course was very vocational so I had to be working/volunteering as part of it and was assessed in my workplace occasionally. I had to complete questions and essays on topics from child development to legislation. Some was more interesting than others but all were a good basic grounding of knowledge. Start with your course and see how you feel towards the end of it. You will have built up loads of knowledge and experience that will help you to make an informed choice. If you don’t go into teaching pay is poor. Forest school or nurture type roles are often talked about but badly funded and it’s not often possible to make much of a career out of those aspects. Hope I haven’t made it sound too bad - I believe some teachers do love their work.

Reply 2

ani.05

OP

2

Original post

by Songbird19

About 10 years ago I did a level 3 in early years care and education. Worked as a preschool assistant, teaching assistant (yr4 and 5) and nanny. All low wages! At one point I briefly toyed with doing a degree in childhood studies but I’m not focussed and don’t like academia. I have never wanted to be a teacher and several teachers I worked with as a TA have either left teaching or want to. It’s a brutal job atm. Definitely get some work experience if you can. I’m not saying don’t do it but don’t be delusional - it is tough and with a lot of pressure (ofsted to head, head to SMT, SMT to teachers, parents to teachers and teachers to themselves) Hopefully things will improve but it’s been going downhill for a long time now. On the plus side it’s great you have found a course that captures you more than a levels! My course was very vocational so I had to be working/volunteering as part of it and was assessed in my workplace occasionally. I had to complete questions and essays on topics from child development to legislation. Some was more interesting than others but all were a good basic grounding of knowledge. Start with your course and see how you feel towards the end of it. You will have built up loads of knowledge and experience that will help you to make an informed choice. If you don’t go into teaching pay is poor. Forest school or nurture type roles are often talked about but badly funded and it’s not often possible to make much of a career out of those aspects. Hope I haven’t made it sound too bad - I believe some teachers do love their work.

omg okay
thank you sm
it was either this or level 3 in business
I'm quite open with my options tbf

Reply 3

Songbird19

13

Original post

by ani.05

omg okay
thank you sm
it was either this or level 3 in business
I'm quite open with my options tbf

Oh god - have I scared you?! Don’t get me wrong - I still work in childcare and love my job but it’s not well paid or particularly well respected by society and doesn’t really have career progression (except teaching)

If you can, get some work experience ideally in a nursery or school and in an office environment if you are toying with business too. That should give you a better idea of what suits you. I got a job in an office as a teenager and lasted a day! I really couldn’t do that - I need to be moving, out and about with variety every day but everyone is different. You could go on to teacher training with a degree in business so that route doesn’t stop you from teaching if you wanted to in the future.

Perhaps also read a few books on teaching (the kind of ones by teachers about their experiences)

One of the teachers I worked with now works for the civil service and says that’s a much better job with lots of career opportunities. So even if you choose one thing and later change your mind then there’s always courses, training and adult education opportunities in the future. Do what feels right for now. Perhaps theres a teacher that’s loving their job who will post on here to express the more positive points!

Childcare and Education (Level 3 NCFE CACHE Diploma) New City College

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