BBC Careers with Children

Valerie

Valerie left school when she was 16 as she wanted to get into working. After a couple of temporary jobs, she began working as an assistant in an after school club. She was interested in working with children and wanted to take her interest further, but she was unsure in what job, maybe a social worker, primary school teacher or nurse? She felt that after four years away from studying she would like to get back into it. She didn’t know what qualifications she might need or if she would be able to manage the studying. She hadn’t enjoyed her GCSE courses very much, although she had got five passes. Valerie was interested in the Open University as she did not want to give up her job, as she might find that she hated the studying!

If you want to find out more information about courses offered by the Open University you can go to http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses. This site allows you to look at the range of courses in one subject group and gives advice about the level and time commitment involved as well as possible links to further study.

Valerie decided that the Openings Course Understanding Children (Y156) would be a great starting point for her. The course description said that it was aimed at people already working with children, such as herself, so hopefully it would help with her job now as well as giving her a taste of higher education. If you're interested in studying Understanding Children (Y156), why don't you have a look at these taster activities to see some examples of what you will be studying.

Valerie enjoyed Understanding Children and finished the course determined to continue her studies.

Which career option do you think Valerie should take after her course?
· Social work
· Teaching
· Early Years' work/Nursery Nurse
· Nursing