[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by rubymoo

You can get some mature 18 year olds and immature 18 year olds, she seems immature. I was gaining a qualification in Children and Young Peoples Workforce, i'm 40, i've had my children (they're 14 now) and i consider myself to be a good parent, however for someone like me to try to break into child care has become impossible, nurseries are full of apprentices, on the lowest wage, some of the nurseries i've volunteered at depend almost entirely on apprentices, and when these apprentices are 16+ years old they have no previous knowledge or experience looking after little ones. Children are challenging, full of energy, have a thirst for learning and knowledge, there's more children than ever being diagnosed with additional needs, and i do question whether i would be happy to leave my baby with a 16+ year old, and now the government have bought in the fact that you need GCSE's grade A-C in maths and English, surely lifeskills and knowledge and a positive fun attitude are more important when working with children.

I didn't need any grades to have my children!

I feel sorry for the girl, she was reckless and stupid, but then she's only 18 and will learn from this experience.

It's crazy that they're overlooking a 40 year old who's raised children in favour of a 16 year old Ruby (and this is not meant to be a slight on 16 year olds) but I know for me personally the older I got raising my own children the more laid back and patient I became. Also,I completely agree with the last part of your post

[rubymoo]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

It's crazy that they're overlooking a 40 year old who's raised children in favour of a 16 year old Ruby (and this is not meant to be a slight on 16 year olds) but I know for me personally the older I got raising my own children the more laid back and patient I became. Also,I completely agree with the last part of your post

The government are messing it all up by wanting the academics over knowledge and life experience, they did just this when they got rid of the SEN's in hospitals.

I have a 16 year old niece who has just done her GCSE's she got a D in maths, her mum (my sister) has a 1 year old and a 2 year old, now my niece has helped bring these babies up, which in my opinion does give her experience, she wants to go into childcare, yet can't because of her maths grade.....ridiculous!

And she must really love kids as she's living with babies!

[ChristmasNeeve]

Originally Posted by rubymoo

The government are messing it all up by wanting the academics over knowledge and life experience, they did just this when they got rid of the SEN's in hospitals.

I have a 16 year old niece who has just done her GCSE's she got a D in maths, her mum (my sister) has a 1 year old and a 2 year old, now my niece has helped bring these babies up, which in my opinion does give her experience, she wants to go into childcare, yet can't because of her maths grade.....ridiculous!

And she must really love kids as she's living with babies!

Yeah, like I said in my previous post I really think it's a vocation, working with kids or the most vulnerable members of our society and there should be more thought put into how they rate peoples suitability for those type of jobs. The education system (certainly here in Ireland anyway) is far too focused on academics I think for jobs that should be looking in different areas then Maths or English results