Could someone please tell me what courses i need to do so i can be a primary school teachers assistant?

Question

one who works with children with difficulties or disabilities.

Answer 1

where do you live? some states require instructional assistants/personal assistants to have an associates, or atleast 60 hours of college. Some states doesnt require anything, rather makes you take a test.

But with NCLB, more and more states are requiring an associates.

To be the most marketable, I would suggest having an associates. Many community college offers an associates teachers prep or instructional assistants program. These have courses in special education, psychology, education theory, child development, behavior modification, etc. If they dont, i would look into a assoc in child development or early childhood education (this actually will allow you to become an early childhood teacher in some states). Or if they dont have that, just get a general associates and just take alot of classes in child development, education, etc.

Go to the local community colleges and speak to a general advisor or go to their website and see what programs they have and go speak to the person in charge of them.

Many community colleges will actually work with you some in courses.

PS a certiciation in basic first aide, and CPR is a big seller.

Answer 2

I am a SEN Teaching Assistant and to be honest with you, I don't have any qualifications in childcare. I used to work at my school on a voluntary basis and when a post became available, I applied for it.

However, you do need qualifications in Maths, English and ICT. A First Aid qualification is also quite useful, as you will be dealing with countless minor injuries during play-times.

A NVQ Level 3 in Childcare is probably your best option. If you are intending to work with pupils who have a specific disability such as the deaf, then you will need a British Sign Language Level 2 qualification.

I am currently studying BSL Level 2, as I hope to work with deaf pupils in future.

Once you have become a Teaching Assistant, you have the option of becoming a HLTA (Higher Learning Teaching Assistant) or Learning Mentor. This will require you to teach whole classes and cover teachers' PPA times. The pay for a HLTA is almost the same as that of a NQT.

I work with a child who has learning difficulties and who used to have a visual impairment (he used to have cataracts in both eyes which have now been removed.) The school sent me on courses which taught me how to deal with his disability.

You should also phone your local schools and ask then if they need any voluntary workers. This a wonderful way to gain valuable knowledge and experience about the national curriculum and how a school is run on a day to day basis. During interviews, head teachers and governors will always ask you what experience you have of working with children.

Working with SEN children is quite challenging and frustrating at times. Some days, you just want to pull your hair out, scream or cry. But on the whole, I would say it is extremely rewarding. To see the look on their faces when they overcome a hurdle gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy working with children as much as I do.

Answer 3

English, maths, and a child care qualification (btec level 2 at least).

Answer 4

Check your local school district for the requirements.

Answer 5

You don't need to do a course I am a nursery nurse and a mum and I just happened to ask if our school needed help.Often once in place you will be offered free training.

Answer 6

GCSE A-C (usually) English, Maths and Science

NVQ2 in childcare is sometimes useful depending on what year group you want to help with.

Experience of childcare

First Aid will be a bonus

And the willingness to train further!

Answer 7

I'm not sure if you are uk or usa. A good standard of basic education ie maths, english, science is usually required. You will also need either an OCR level 2 or 3 for teaching assistants or and NVQ. There is also a 2 year part time diploma in some colleges. Also you can learn on the job and attend courses. There is also a HLTA diploma but you have to have at least one years experience in the job to go for it but will elivate your status and money.

Answer 8

there are no official qualifications needed for a uk TA whether it be primary or secondary. just a good level of English and maths. NVQ's can be done on the job as you need to employed by a school to take them, same with a HLTA you can only do that it you have a school thats wants a HLTA. Experience is also a key ingredient so my advice would be to volunteer a few hours at your local school.

You could also read up on Aspergers and ADHD as these are very common issues in schools.