MA / Post Gradaute Studies.

[Bluebell]

For those doing post graduate studies thought we could have a thread going.

I'm doing my post graduate certificate in Professional Enquiry specialising in Early Years. I need to do the extended 10,000 word essay by June the 2nd. I'd already done the first section (about 2,500 words - but this will need considerable tweaking once I've done the other sections to make sure it ties in)
The second and third sections I have a general idea of what I would like to focus on but not sure where to start! I have a feeling once I can set aside a weekend to get on with it I may have a better idea of where I am going. We have a tutorial day next week so I will get to meet the others doing and meet tutors and things.

Also because I did my EYPS last year through the university and they hadn't sorted out this part of the programme I will be doing it alongside people doing this years EYT and they seem to have trouble sorting my library card - because my privelages ran out at the end of August as a leaver I haven't been able to take out library books since then - think they must need to re-register me or something!!

What is your route? what will be your qualification? What will your studies focus on? Will you do the MA?

At the moment I would just like to do the post-graduate certificate but may have the opportunity to go on and do further studies to build up to do the diploma and then MA

I'm focusing on the outdoors. Would love to hear how others are getting on.

I've been a bit snowed under - I've just become chariman of a management committee of a pre-school and they don't have policies in place, their building is in need of work (well actually we need a new building) and staff have never had an appraisal. Plus all the regular stuff. Sigh - a lot more work than I thought.
After doing my EYPS last year I had a lot of catching up to do which has snowballed - every time I assess something or change something it results in something else needing doing! Have reviewed policies, introduced new online learning journeys, new system for sharing information with other settings, new parents and children, and I need to do some parent feedback forms!
I've taken on an assistant and this has been amazingly more time consuming and complex than I thought - I spent yesterday afternoon / evening looking through the HMRC website to register as an employer and find a payroll system I could use. Yet to do first payslips etc.
Need to manage my time a bit better me thinks!!!

[AdeleMarie88]

For those doing post graduate studies thought we could have a thread going. I'm doing my post graduate certificate in Professional Enquiry specialising in Early Years. I need to do the extended 10,000 word essay by June the 2nd. I'd already done the first section (about 2,500 words - but this will need considerable tweaking once I've done the other sections to make sure it ties in) The second and third sections I have a general idea of what I would like to focus on but not sure where to start! I have a feeling once I can set aside a weekend to get on with it I may have a better idea of where I am going. We have a tutorial day next week so I will get to meet the others doing and meet tutors and things. Also because I did my EYPS last year through the university and they hadn't sorted out this part of the programme I will be doing it alongside people doing this years EYT and they seem to have trouble sorting my library card - because my privelages ran out at the end of August as a leaver I haven't been able to take out library books since then - think they must need to re-register me or something!! What is your route? what will be your qualification? What will your studies focus on? Will you do the MA? At the moment I would just like to do the post-graduate certificate but may have the opportunity to go on and do further studies to build up to do the diploma and then MA I'm focusing on the outdoors. Would love to hear how others are getting on. I've been a bit snowed under - I've just become chariman of a management committee of a pre-school and they don't have policies in place, their building is in need of work (well actually we need a new building) and staff have never had an appraisal. Plus all the regular stuff. Sigh - a lot more work than I thought. After doing my EYPS last year I had a lot of catching up to do which has snowballed - every time I assess something or change something it results in something else needing doing! Have reviewed policies, introduced new online learning journeys, new system for sharing information with other settings, new parents and children, and I need to do some parent feedback forms! I've taken on an assistant and this has been amazingly more time consuming and complex than I thought - I spent yesterday afternoon / evening looking through the HMRC website to register as an employer and find a payroll system I could use. Yet to do first payslips etc. Need to manage my time a bit better me thinks!!!


My word you do sound snowed under!!

I would love to do a MA, but just can't see when I will get round to doing it. I currently have a BA(hons) working with children young people and families with developmental psychology. I loved it! I do miss the university environment, but now I am working and have mortgage, it makes these decisions so much harder. Also I would have to get a loan to pay the fees, which is a massive concern!

Good luck with your studies, don't forget to make time for yourself at some point x

[The Juggler]

For those doing post graduate studies thought we could have a thread going.

I'm doing my post graduate certificate in Professional Enquiry specialising in Early Years. I need to do the extended 10,000 word essay by June the 2nd. I'd already done the first section (about 2,500 words - but this will need considerable tweaking once I've done the other sections to make sure it ties in)
The second and third sections I have a general idea of what I would like to focus on but not sure where to start! I have a feeling once I can set aside a weekend to get on with it I may have a better idea of where I am going. We have a tutorial day next week so I will get to meet the others doing and meet tutors and things.

Also because I did my EYPS last year through the university and they hadn't sorted out this part of the programme I will be doing it alongside people doing this years EYT and they seem to have trouble sorting my library card - because my privelages ran out at the end of August as a leaver I haven't been able to take out library books since then - think they must need to re-register me or something!!

What is your route? what will be your qualification? What will your studies focus on? Will you do the MA?

At the moment I would just like to do the post-graduate certificate but may have the opportunity to go on and do further studies to build up to do the diploma and then MA

I'm focusing on the outdoors. Would love to hear how others are getting on.

I've been a bit snowed under - I've just become chariman of a management committee of a pre-school and they don't have policies in place, their building is in need of work (well actually we need a new building) and staff have never had an appraisal. Plus all the regular stuff. Sigh - a lot more work than I thought.
After doing my EYPS last year I had a lot of catching up to do which has snowballed - every time I assess something or change something it results in something else needing doing! Have reviewed policies, introduced new online learning journeys, new system for sharing information with other settings, new parents and children, and I need to do some parent feedback forms!
I've taken on an assistant and this has been amazingly more time consuming and complex than I thought - I spent yesterday afternoon / evening looking through the HMRC website to register as an employer and find a payroll system I could use. Yet to do first payslips etc.
Need to manage my time a bit better me thinks!!!


hon, I'm doing my PGCE and I am really struggling with the study - had a mini breakdown on Fri - lol! It's so hard studying AND learning a new job. I have to do 3 x 3,500 word assignments. If I pass them I get 60 credits towards my masters - but I have NO inclination whatsoever to do it - unless someone tells me in future I HAVE to do it or I'll lose my job. I love learning and taking what I learn back to my practice but assignments and home study- just too hard with a family and a full time job. I take my hat off to those who actually enjoy it.

sorry for being so negative. It was a little easier doing my degree as I knew my job inside out so even though the kids were younger and it was 3 years.

The learning is huge and changes your practice so much but this time round it's tough - maybe its my age :panic:

[Smiley]

Seems a few of us are doing MA or at least doing courses towards. I've just had a study weekend, the unit is Effective Pedagogy and Child Development. We also did some outdoor leaning in the wooded area (the college has a forest school on site, it's a stunning setting) we built dens In teams and lit fires. Four of us are early years practitioners, I'm the only childminder (we certainly seem to get used to that!) on Saturday we came together with a group of trainee teachers as one of their modules is pedagogy and child development.

My first assignment is another module which is about childhood globally, it's due in towards the end of this month, a 2000 book review. This first year will be a post grad certificate and then next year we can use EYPS as previous learning to claim 60 points. As far as I'm aware next September the MAY will be offered totally by distance learning, this year is the first year and although it's predominantly distance learning we have five study weekends.

Good luck everyone, must admit I'm questioning myself and wondering why I had this moment of madness!