Hi there,
I'm currently doing the NVQ 3, having done the level 2 and been a full time (well 25hrs) TA for 3 years. I realise I can't live on a TA wage forever as I'm on my own with 2 daughters and would love to train as a teacher. So, what I'm deliberating over is the best way for me to go about this!

I thought of the Foundation degree this Sept, but it'd be college each week and not sure if I could get the childcare sorted and it'd mean having a day off work, which I can't afford! So my best bet looks to be going back to OU study. I completed DD100 a few years ago, then 2 Maths 30point courses. Having used the online course calculator thingy I could do 4 more 60 point courses to get the Childhood degree as the 2 Maths courses I did can be used as my optional courses.

Thing is I really fancied doing E111, but don't really need to as I have DD100 done. However I haven't done any OU study for a few years, only NVQ, so a bit out of the habit of essay writing etc. WOuld it be better to have a go at E111 to get started or go straight to U212?!

Also what is the workload like for 60 point courses? With 4left to do I dont really want to take 4 years, but is 120 points too much, while working 5 days a week?!! 4 years and then teacher training seems a long time and I'm on the wrong side of 30 now!!! (A few years on the wrong side actually!)


Sorry for all the questions, I'm just desperate to get some plans made for my studies!

Anyway, thank you in advance,
Bye for now.

Hi Milly

I'm doing E111 at mo and it is my first OU course. As it is a level 1 course it is not too bad. There are 6 Assignments and an End of Course assignment (No exam!!) You get plenty of time to read study topics and to complete assignment. I also am going for the Childhood and Youth studies degree. I have worked out i will finish in 2013!!! Then do GTP (Graduate Teaching programme) for 1 year to HOPEFULLY qualify.

Having said that since doing the course not sure if I will go into teaching. Have been on a course with Childrens Worforce Development in which multi agencies get together (social worker, nurse, teachers) to share info about children to stop vunerable ones falling through the net. Also quite like the sound of educational phycologist!?!

If you have already completed a level 1 course I see no reason why you would not be able to complete a level 2. I work 22hrs a week and have 2 children. Yes it's a bit tiring but I think it will all be worth while.

Hope I have been of some help? Good luck

Annie

Hi Milly.

I to am thinking along the same lines as you, but I have opted to do the Open degree. I work 28 hours a week plus after school clubs (unpaid). I am a single mum of 4 teenagers, 3 still in education. I am doing E111, my first course in years, there is quite abit of reading but the essays are not to bad and you do get alot of support. If you have a NVQ3 and are worried about time I would go straight to level 2, as the NVQ will cover all the basics.
Good luck
ggeni

Ps I should have said I have been an LSA for 8 years and am the wrong side of 40

Hi Milly

I'm doing the Childhood and Youth Studies degree too. I did DD100 first (yawn) and then I did U212. I'm about to start ED209 Child Development this year, which looks quite interesting. I'm planning to do E111 at some point (mainly because it seems more relevant than a lot of the other courses!) and will be doing EK310 and KE308... that's at the moment - I may change my mind about a couple of those optional courses!

I'm the wrong side of 30 too, by the way.

I have a friend that did two 60 point courses as well as working and she found it too much, but I suppose it depends really how organised you are with your time and how easy you find the subject matter.

Hope that helps!

Thank you all for replying!

I'm still deliberating over what to do...I think the 120 points in one year is daft for me at the moment. I have 2 girls, 10 and 8, we need to move house soon, think I'd find it too much! But now the decision is whether to start with E111 or U212..... I just really like the thought of E111 as it's very relevant to the job, and it'd only add another year of study. It's taken me this long to get studying, another year wont really matter!

I do want to get into teaching, I can't live off this dire wage anyway forever, especially with the children getting older and being on my own with them!

Does anyone know anything about getting help with course fees? I had a part payment towards one a few years ago. Obviously now my income is low, but can I apply before registering as I wont be able to do the course if I dont get help (does that make sense?)

Many thanks for the helpful replies, it's really good to hear others taking the same/similar paths to me!
Bye for now,
MS

You can apply for a grant with the OU and may be eligible for your entire course fee to be paid. I think you have to apply for the course first, but you can always cancel if necessary if it turns out you're not eligible and don't have the funds (although by the sound of it I would guess you would be entitled to at least SOME being paid for you).

Hope that helps!

Hi! I'd say being a single earner of 25 hours a week on a TA wage you'd probably get full funding.

My husband earns in the region of 19k and I was earning about £2k a year (very part time work! Lol!) and I got full funding for a level 3 course plus a £250 course grant and a £250 PC grant.

On the course application form there is an option to put that you are applying for funding and you have to fill in the funding form asap as well. I've never had to pay out - all the funding gets sorted out and it gets paid without me parting with a penny beforehand.

I applied online for the course and the funding form I did manually as you have to send photo copies of proof of earnings. They base it on the previous tax year income.

As for time scale of a level 3 course... I think it varies from course to course. My last one said it should be around 12-16 hours of study but I was doing around 20+++++ However, my current one (KE312 Working Together For Children) seems to suggest around 10 hours a week but 6 of those hours are allocated for reading each chapter and it only normally takes me an hour maximum to read a chapter. They say the over estimate so you can take notes, re-read etc etc.

I am on my 3rd week of KE312 and I've been studying about 6 hours a week and I am on target with the study calender. I'm expecting the time to increase during TMA writing weeks but they also allow for that too so I'm hoping it will stay as it is as this suits me SOOO much better than the 20 hours I was putting in last time!

Feel free to email me if you want any further info.

P.S. I also did the Foundation Degree if you needed any further info for that too. x
Love
Cys x

Just to let you know - my email is edit by DQ
I've changed my email since I registered with this site and now I can't remember my password to change the email so I may well have to re-register!!

Love
Cys x

CYS i have editd out your email addy, if anyone wants to get in touch could they please pm CYS

if you email summertime she will be able to change the email address for you