Hello lovelies, I hope you are all well today! I am having a pretty chilled weekend so far and quite enjoying it to be honest! Today I thought I would do a mixture of a post and talk about how I got into teaching as well as the fun things I get up to working in EYFS. (early years foundation stage)
I sent out a message asking if anyone had any questions about teaching and I received a few so I’ll try to cover them within this post and hopefully give you a bit of an insight into my work life.
HOW DID I GET INTO TEACHING?
Working with children is always something that I knew I wanted to do from a young age. I started working at a children’s play centre when I was 16 and worked there for four years. I didn’t do a degree that is typically linked to teaching because I am insanely rubbish at exams and I wanted to do a degree in something that I enjoyed and could still use my creative flare. So after leaving college with A Levels in Graphic Design, English Language and Drama; I went to Hull School of Art and Design to do a degree in Graphics.
I absolutely loved my time at Uni and wouldn’t change it for the world, whilst doing my degree I volunteered at; a Secondary School in their Art classes, a local Primary school in EYFS and year one and a local cubs group. I knew I wanted to do the PGCE after my degree and having lots of experience is definitely something that they look for when you are applying. I would say when applying to any teacher training have experience even if its just volunteering will most certainly go in your favour.
I then did a the year long PGCE focusing on Early Years and Key Stage 1. (3 to 7 years) after volunteering in both the younger and older children I knew that with the younger children is were I felt most comfortable.
WHATS IS LIKE TO WORK IN EYFS?
At least one child will surprise you every day. These kids never cease to amaze me. You might sometimes feel like your having a rubbish day and that the lesson or activity you’d planned wasn’t going how it should and then all of a sudden one of them will say something that completely turns your day around.
You’ll never be satisfied with your classroom. I am always changing, adapting, painting my classroom on a daily basis. There is always a vision in your head of what you want it to look like. And then you’ll spend hours on Pinterest wish you had unlimited funds to make a Pinterest worthy classroom. When in all honesty the kids make amazing progress with what you provide them anyway.
Various bodily fluids are a part of every day life. Gross I know but its very true. I’ve never been particularly screamish anyway but since working with little ones, I can safely say I am now accustomed to most situations in that department. I have on one occasion asked a child what fruit snack they had chosen to which they spat it into my hand to show me. But I guess I did ask I guess?
Reading EYFS documents in the bath anyone? This might just be me to be honest but there are many times I have ran myself a nice hot bubble bath to then read the latest article about early years. Like its not enough to spend 9/10 hours at work eh.
You will become your local charity shops best friend. I find myself most weekends scouring the local charity shops to see what I can find. If your a regular on my Instagram you’ll be used to seeing them in my insta-stories. Whether it be books, beads, games or wicker baskets (Let it be known EYFS teachers love wicker) I’m always looking for a bargain.
Your team are your family. It is safe to say that without my amazing teaching assistants that I have in my class I would not be able to do what I do. They are the life and soul of an EYFS classroom and will keep you going on the most difficult days. They are passionate, dedicated as well as crazy and creative; and I want to end my post saying that I love each one of them like family and say a huge thank you for being the best work family I could ask for.
If you have any other questions about EYFS or teaching in general please feel free to comment below or message privately.
Lizzie Florence 