Im hoping to become a ta. Would like some advice on what exactly your job entails. ? do you have to do alot of displays etc.. does the teacher tell you each day what your jobs are..? etc...
I would like to work in either a nursery or reception class .
:)

hello and welcome

i havent worked in early years but im sure some others will offer advice when they are here

Thank you,

A lot of it depends upon the school or the particular teacher that you work with. Some like to do their own displays but you will probably be involved with the creation of displays at some point whether it is doing the whole thing, helping the children create the work to be displayed, mounting it etc etc. Yes the teacher will guide you with what they actually want you to do but again the tasks they want you to do may well vary according to the situation within that school/ class. When I worked in reception/year 1 I worked with various sized groups, supporting numeracy, literacy, phonics, playing in the role play, outside play etc etc. You may well be "sorting" out milk and fruit, resources (making/ locating), reading stories, covering playtimes etc etc. The role of a TA is VERY wide
It's great and I would really recommend it

Thank you just hope i can get a job as one !! its so hard to get in at schools so many people are trying.
Im thinking of doing a couple of afternoons voluntary just to give me some experience and to add to my cv . :)

hi ya. it would depend on your role. I work with SEN children. so I don't do displays, milk & fruit etc...unless I have a spare 5 mins when I help out.

I work with children who need help with their social skill. so it's a lot of role play and practical activities.

I've worked in all year bases from nursery to yr 6 in primary. early years is not as easy as some people think.

Hi Betsy
I wanted a change of career and was interested in working with young children so I volunteered at my local school. Within the nursery I volunteered in you were always on the go doing a variety of jobs with and without the children.

I think volunteering really helps make your mind up and gives you an insight of what its like, also it will be pretty hard to work towards some form of qualification if you haven't a voluntary or work placement. It has taken me two years of volunteering alongside working and evening college to finally get me work (which i start this September and I class myself as lucky) so be ready for the long hall

Best wishes Mrs T

I started out as a volunteer as well, it helped me get started on the training route as well. I agree that early years is not the "cushy number" that some people seem to think, you will also find that some teachers/heads don't really appreciate the importance and value of the early years/reception class.
I have worked from Reception to year 6 (not in order!!) and just generally love being a TA. If you can't get in early years don't give up, the big un's aren't that bad!
Good luck in all that you do and most of all ENJOY!!!