3 Where next?

We hope you enjoyed Supporting children’s development, and we hope the course has inspired you to continue your learning journey. Below are some key links to where you might like to go next.

Progressing your career

These links from the TES and National Careers Service discuss the role of teaching assistants and the transferable skills required, and give you an insight into the different levels of entry into the profession:

Volunteering

You may like to consider volunteering to extend and enhance your skills and knowledge. These websites may help you to think about your options:

Best Practice Network

The Best Practice Network has over 10 years’ experience in delivering courses and training for support staff.

Trade Unions

Trade unions offer training and development programmes for their members, often in partnership with providers such as The Open University. Please speak with your union representative to find out about any local opportunities.

More free and informal courses

Supporting children’s development is one of a suite of six courses. You may like to study one of the other five.

The Open University also provides further online introductory courses and skills for study courses, all of which are free and online.

FutureLearn also has a wide range of online courses that you may like to consider.

The Open University

You may like to consider one of The Open University’s Access courses to prepare you for successful study towards a nationally recognised higher education qualification.

The OU offers a range of qualifications that you might want to consider.

Education, childhood and youth qualifications

If you would like to take a more in-depth look at childhood studies then you can find out more at The Open University’s Education, Childhood and Youth qualifications website.

The PEARL website

Part-time Education for Adults Returning to Learn (PEARL) is a useful website for adults looking for part-time study opportunities, including all types of provision from free, non-accredited courses through to higher-level learning.

Other

You may recall that Katie was very happy with her role as a Teaching Assistant, but is interested in building up experience as a teaching assistant before becoming a teacher or embarking on a teaching qualification. We recommend contacting your local PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education) provider to find out their specific requirements with regards to the national curriculum content they require in a degree. You will also be required to have GCSEs in Maths, English or Welsh and Science or an equivalent qualification before you become a teacher.

2 Badge and statement of participation