Teaching Assistant Review

I am a teaching assistant apprentice. Currently working with my one to one to develop their speech, language and communication as this is their area of support needed, However I am also developing children's functional skills and social skills ready for them to make new friends to play with. I am also making sure that the classroom is a safe environment for the children to play in and making sure that they are comfortable and ready to learn.

I have learnt to better my communication not only with staff and those that I work with, but outside professionals that have come in to do assessments on many children, and to work with them to better the child's development. Communicating with other staff members to make sure I knew (as a new member of staff) a child's needs.

I love my job very much, I feel like it is exciting and no day is the same, the children come out with stuff that is always funny and sometimes they will leave you speechless. I love listening to the children read and see how far I have helped them within that area of their development.

I think my assessor really makes it work, It can be quite hectic at times but the constant communication between me, my assessor and my organisation really helps as it maintains the structure and planning can be done accordingly to any visits that I may have with my assessor. There's some room where my assessor and I can go when we need to, to focus on our work.

I have more support from my assessor than I do with my employer. Nearer to the start of my apprenticeship, my assessor and I had discussed time out of the classroom for me to focus on my apprenticeship work, due to my personal circumstances, however it hasn't been fulfilled most of the time by the employer.

My training provider, I cannot fault, the amount of support I receive from my assessor is amazing. She always asks me how I am doing and if I am feeling alright (due to my mental health which she is aware of). She understands that if I am struggling sometimes all I need is a face to face visit and just be walked through it. She takes all of my concerns into account and always asks me at the end if I have any questions.

The training provider really helps, I feel like for my role, I am constantly adapting based on what I have learnt and improving my own skill set in order to benefit the child as they are the priority. My assessor is always telling me new ways I could better myself and I put these into practice as soon as observations are over.

There is extra activities that I could get involved with at work, however, due to my personal circumstances and not being able to drive yet, it is hard for me to join in any extra activities within the work setting, however, if my circumstances did change I would like to get more involved.

Yes

The team is so friendly, the communication is there. They make you a priority within your education and want nothing but the best for you. I can tell with my assessor that she has a true passion to help me achieve and sometimes for some people that's all the support you need,

Never be afraid to tell your assessor anything, they are there to help you, if you need a well being check, let them know, your assessor can do that for you and it doesn't mean you can't qualify when you're expected to, they want you to be happy within your role, so never be afraid to talk to them.