Back to school for child carers

Not long now until the ‘Back to School’ season steps in and pupils return to school after their summer breaks.

While we here at The Learning Station are always open all year round, we know that September is like a second January! It’s a good chance for us to reassess and reset our minds for the new academic year ahead. You may be a childcare professional helping new students feel welcome in their new classes. It’s always a brand-new environment for children in general as there may be new students, and there will typically be a new teacher. There are new, maybe more complex things they are learning, which can be overwhelming for many of them.

If you are a new professional childcarer, you’ll probably have helped transition heaps of the little ones into their new days at school. Whether you are an Early Years worker transitioning them into Reception or Year 1 of Primary School, or you’re a Teaching Assistant helping them to progress through the years and set a secure foundation for their future.

You may be new to the industry and a little overwhelmed about what you may need to prepare for the younguns. They are nervous and will look up to you as the “adult” who knows the answers when you may feel a little lost yourself. No need to worry! We’ve got you covered.

How to feel more prepared

Experience will be your best friend more than anything, but it doesn’t hurt to help yourself initially. It shows your initiative and commitment to your work before your experience kicks in.

Organise your schedule

The best thing to do is plan out your timelines and routines. It takes three weeks for habits to be set in stone, and if you plan what you want your week/month to look like, it makes it much easier to stick to your routine and make sure you have time for everything. Next, write down all your tasks between now and the first day back to school, so you have everything completed. Finally, write down all your tasks and things you want to make sure to do on the first day of school. This could be as simple as introducing yourself to the parent of all the children you will care for and getting a good rapport with them.

Train yourself

The best thing to do is start your Level 3 Diploma in your chosen childcare setting, but you can also upgrade yourself by completing CPD courses now and again. Every professional should regularly educate themselves throughout the years to progress and learn. For example, you can learn first aid in the workplace or food safety and even if this doesn’t seem relevant to your field, it probably is and will help in general.

Put the children first

Many children have had a fun time at home with no responsibilities and coming back to school can trigger separation anxieties for them. Your job as the child carer is to make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible. Think of ways to show them that you are there for them and they can always talk to you. Always make sure you are there to listen to their needs, whether they want to vent or be distracted or anything else. Making the child understand that they are important is a good way to ease them into the comfortability you want them to feel in their new environment.

The ‘Back to School' season can be daunting, but with training and experience, you will learn more and more each day in this rewarding career.

Interested in getting started in childcare? Get in touch with an advisor now on 0208 342 7210.

← Previous Next →

Like this post?

Lisa Spencer

Marketing Manager

Our Catalogue

Back to School Season - for Child Carers