Working in Childcare

*Shellie_Star* · 08-12-2005, 07:19 AM

Hello

Sorry if this turns out to be long!!

I just wanted to do a topic to see if anyone had any career advice or anyone who's been through a similar dilemma or just to read people's view would be nice.

Basically, I am 24 (25 in April) and have worked in office/administration since I was 16, I left school with just GCSE's, not spectacular ones at that although not terrible. I didn't know what I wanted to do, was a bit kinda lazy if I'm honest! I progressed anyway and have alot of good experience in that area of work at supervisory level so I guess my next move if I carried on in office work would me managerial level which the pay would be nice. I recently(ish) had some depression problems and decide my job was making me worse and quit. Looking back in hindsight, was probably the wrong thing to do, but hey! We do silly things sometimes

For some time now I've wanted to work in Childcare. Partly because it's something I can do and maybe set up a business of childminding or work in a nursery when I hopefully have children so that I don't have to pay extra for my own childcare and earn a living at the same time. Partly because I desperately want to get a useful qualification so I can say I'm something and make my parents proud (I know that may sound a bit silly but it is how I feel, I have never completed anything I've started and I know it's something that frustrates them - even at my age!) Obviously the pay isn't as good in childcare at basic starting out level but you do however need qualifications coming out of your backside these days unless you have an awful lot of eperience (which I don't)!

So I'm really in a dilemma whether to go back to college and do a course, most the courses are 2 years which I will be nearly 27 by this time. I'm edging towards a part-time course but there isn't much choice as alot of them are full-time. I don't think my finances could hold out doing a full-time course and only working part-time. Although I do still live at home, me and my partner were looking to buy a house atthe end of 2006 so I appreciate maybe this isn't the best time money-wise but maybe it's best to do it now before I do move out? My parents know I have been unhappy and know I want to achieve something like a qualification and said they would be prepared to talk to me about financial stuff when I decide what I want to do, they're not rich so it would be hard but I think they will help me out a little, put my rent down a bit, maybe help with my car a litte etc., and I have my boyfriends support too

But I do NOT like relying on other people and I have never relied on them for money help since I was about 15, I find it hard to accept that sort of thing.

So really, I'm wondering firstly. Have any of you guys ever just decided to do something different and re-train as a mature student?

Secondly, if anyone here does work in Childcare, some help on qualifications and work experience would be ideal. At the moment I'm confused over Diplomas and NVQ's (probably level 2)

Sorry for the long post, I didn't mean it to be!!

cazza77 · 08-12-2005, 07:37 AM

Hi Shellie

I have recently given up an office job because of depression. I decided that life is too short! Remember life is not a race. I decided I would like to do something a little more creative and free from office politics, I haven't sorted that side out at the moment mainly because I just haven't got my finger out.

I totally understand that you want to get a place together and stuff but it would be a lot harder 10 years down the line with a mortgage or a large rent bill to pay to start again. I am very lucky, my husband decided that he would work and I could give up to make me a happier person and to get over stuff.

If you don't like relying on people, think of it in a different light, if they help you while you are studying, you can given them back that help when you get a good well paid job that makes you happy. I am not necessarily talking money here. My husband says the best payback for him is seeing how much happier I am now.

My best friend has recently gone back to uni, she finds it quite a struggle on one hand cos she is a single mum, but the benefit are massive.

I personally wouldn't pass up this opportunity and childcare is such a rewarding career.

This probably hasn't helped much but I wish you all the luck with whatever you decide to do.

Cazza

*Shellie_Star* · 08-12-2005, 07:44 AM

Thank you for replying. That really means alot to me what you wrote

I didn't expect it so quickly either

x

It's definately nice to hear people's views/experience on a similar situation.
I hope you find something that makes you happy. Your husband sounds a sweetheart and it's great he supports you on those decisions.

I've just been speaking to the local college. Someone from the Childcare Faculty is going to ring me back with some advice so *touches wood* and some help with courses for me. I;m going to ring a couple of other college nearby in local towns to see what they can offer too.

I'll update the topic with whatever I decided *gets nervous*

Lana_LB · 08-12-2005, 07:49 AM

I recently left a child care job due to depression, i worked full time in the kindy and schoolies section (3-5yr/6-12yr) and found the job to be very stressful at times (25-30 children between 2 staff). Child care is great at times but not all the time, alot of people think caregivers just sit and play with the children all day - ding dong - not at all. My day would consist of cleaning, programs, detailed record keeping on all children, more cleaning, oh did i mention cleaning..lol

I think if you have never worked in a centre before its best to maybe do some work experience before making up your mind. Child care dont get me wrong can be very rewarding but at times you have to put alot in before you get anything back.

I left due to having miscarriage and could not handle the stress of the centre - wanted way too much out of staff and not giving the resources needed. Not all centres are like this but most can be.

I have been doing relief work for the last week and realised i just dont enjoy working in a centre with so many children, dont think i'll be getting back into childcare for sometime - atleast not full time.

clarabell55 · 08-12-2005, 08:29 AM

I think there are a number of options avaliable to you,

have you thought of being a school assistant to start off with? They will probably put you through your NVQ and this will at least give you some insight into what to expect in a career in childcare as well as getting paid along the way. You don't normally need qualifications initially for a job like this.

The other option like you said is go to collage/uni, get some qualifications, either in child care or what about social work or some thing along them lines?

Another option, deviating a little from child care is Pediatric nursing, probably better paid than most childcare jobs, and the 3 years in uni are funded by a monthly bursary which is aprox £500 a month so you will still get some income whilst training.

You did mention child minding, well once you get your own place, this is quite simple to do, think you need to go on a couple of day basic health and safelty course ran by the local council and then they check your home, make sure it is safe then put you on the register, the whole process takes about 1 month and you are away.

If you still arn't sure why not contact the job centre and ask them to put you in contact with an adult careers advisor, just like you had when you were at school, only for adults. They will go through what options are avaliable and be able to advise and help you apply for courses etc....

Hope some of this info was helpfull, and hope you find a job that will make you happy.

Take care
Clara x

oreo75 · 08-13-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarabell55

Another option, deviating a little from child care is Pediatric nursing, probably better paid than most childcare jobs, and the 3 years in uni are funded by a monthly bursary which is aprox £500 a month so you will still get some income whilst training.

I was going to suggest this & the options after finishing are far more open than completing NVQ's to work in child care. From what I understand you can go & work in playgroup & someone did tell me you would then be more than qualified to run a playgroup, there is also school nursing. If you contact your local hospital they would be able to tell you which university the students are from & the university would then be able to tell you what options would be open to you once finishing your training in terms of career options.

At the moment I'm a student nurse, so if you have any questions about being a student nurse let me know.

clarabell55 · 08-16-2005, 12:57 PM

Yes, Oreo is right, loads of options once you have qualified as a nurse!

Good luck

*Shellie_Star* · 08-27-2005, 09:28 AM

Thanks for ALL your responses to this topic, it's all been really helpful to read, look into and thought provoking for me. I realy appreciate that because I was in a such a dilemma over it all.

I've been in touch with various colleges and nurseries and basically it's gonna be pretty impossible for me at this stage in my life to go back to college with day releases to work, as much as I need to for the particular qualifications that I wanted I don't think it's possible, not now anyway. When I get my own house I'm going to look into it again when I am more settled, possibly do a childminding course first so I can do that and get more experience and follow on from there if I want to.

Now for something totally different! lol....

I wanted to do something at college this September so I've decided to do Film Studies A Level. I know, nothing to do with anything of any relevance in life what so ever but I decided to do a qualification in something Iknow I will enjoy and complete rather than Maths or something hehe! How hopeless am I, lol

PollySis · 08-31-2005, 10:54 PM

LOL Shellie - you are right to do what interests you! You never know how far it might take you, or what's round the corner!

Just to say I trained as a teacher as a mature student (when I was 29) and you come to the profession with a lot more - commonsense and strength of character to name 2 things - if you train as a mature student. Later, I taught people to teach and had students in their 40s when I was in my early 30s so it just goes to show, the world's full of mature learners!

Child care pay is pants. I'm on the management committee of my son's nursery and the women who work there work their socks off - even doing courses in their own time, etc - and still earn little more than £5 an hour. As a supply teacher, you can earn over £150 a day. All you need to train (and you can train on the job now) is a couple of A Levels so maybe in a year or two you could add some other course (or two), and take it from there?

When at college all my closest friends were other mature students - my two best mates had both been secretaries for years and one got into teacher training via an Access Course. So that's a possibility. But if you can train an extra couple of years - be paid for it - and come out with a teacher's earning ability rather than a nursery nurse's - it might be worth it? (Help with mortgages too!) If you like the younger age kids, you can always train as a Reception/Infants teacher - many larger schools have nurseries attached so that would solve your future childcare worries, too.

Love Polly x

Penelope Pitstop · 09-20-2005, 07:47 PM

Hi ya

I think u were really brave to decide your job wasn't what u wanted to do and I really hope u achieve everything you want to..
I might be able to help u with the qualifications...I have worked within childcare and education for 14 years and have taught on a number of childcare courses..Learning can be as flexible as you want.If you want training while earning money then the NVQ might be your best option as you would be able to have on job training and you would be assessed, only needing to go2 college for underpinning knowledge. There are a wide variety of NVQ available that are suitable for different areas of childcare dependent on where you want to work.There are also college based courses CCE NVQ level 2 equivalent or the DCE NVQ level 3 equivalent the most popular during which you would attend a variety of different work plaements.
Working with children is great and really enjoyable I have worked in a wide variety of places and really love my job, even though money isn't gr8.. I now work with kids with severe learning difficulties which is both very rewarding and challenging.

All the best

Becs