Masters In Early Years

[AnonyMouse_5458]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted for a while but as ever am hoping for some advice from you

 

There is a possibility I may be able to do my Masters in September, but there are a number of things swaying me this way and that.

 

Firstly, what will my career options be with a Masters, will they be any better than they are now with my BA and EYPs? Have any of you completed one or are currently working through one?

Is it doable when managing a setting and family? My son is planning a gap year next year so financially there'll be a big strain on the family income already (I'm a single mum of 2)

A family have offered to sponsor me to do the Masters but I'd have to go down to a 4 day week to attend Uni, which obviously means a cut in salary and, like everyone else, I'm already struggling to keep my head above water financially.

 

I've lots of ideas for research projects within my setting, am very excited at the prospect of continuing my education, but will it be 2 years of more stress for my boys for little reward at the end of it?

 

All opinions very welcome

 

Sam

[Guest tinkerbell]

I hear your excitement and that is really coming through your post.

 

About 4 years ago I started a masters which was through Huddersfield Uni ,it was 3 years part time,being about 5-6 Saturdays during the year not during the week days.( is this an option?)

I just did the first year (which gave me a PGCE qualification not tha I need it).I started the course because I was about to have a student and the course involved me marking assignments....because it is years since I attended uni and wrote one myself I thought I ought to experience it myself!...it was very useful and the work we did on the philosophy and pedagogy,action research etc etc was really interesting.

 

Anyway it would not have altered my career prospects as I have a B'ed and have done the NPQH (don't want to be a headteacher but it is useful to have the knowledge should my headteacher be ill etc ...it was a governor requirment for me to do the course)I have also done various qualifications regarding school eg dyslexia friendly status involved a credited piece of research....

 

I became a grandma 3 years ago and decided to concentrate on doing a good job of it...we have our grandson all day every Sunday and days in the holidays ....for me that was my decision and \i love it.

 

I would recommend the Masters to you because it will really get your mind working ,the financial support is there at this present time ,who knows what the future holds? as far as career prospects ,it does show future employers you have studied recently and are incredibly committed as you have juggled studying and raising your boys.

 

good luck with whatever you decide

Tinkerbell x

[AnonyMouse_30147]

Just to say I am very jealous! I looked into doing my Masters in Early Years by doing it long distance and part time at Sheffield but just couldn't justify it financially.

 

It's great for your cv and shows continuous professional development. I suppose for you though you must carefully consider where you want your career to go as to how it will benefit you long term. Besides the fun of learning and researching in areas that specifically interest you and applying your new knowledge to your setting how will the course help you?

 

Yes it will take time and hard work and if you are being sponsored to do it you have the pressure from the family to ensure it is completed and deadlines are met as it's not your money you're using. But it's a great opportunity and the chance to do the course may not occur again.

 

I think you just need to look at how you manage your time and family commitments to see if it is plausible to fit everything in. If you talk to your Local Authority sometimes there is money available to release you to spend days studying etc. They don't often advertise this but if you ask you might be surprised what support is available for you.

 

Good luck and let us know what decision you make.

[AnonyMouse_5458]

Thank you Tinkerbell and Suebear - I really appreciate your responses

 

I'm itching to do some research and it makes sense for it to be part of a final 'reward' and the idea of it being on Saturdays really does appeal, I hadn't even though that may be an option so will investigate. My boys are 13 and 17, don't need me so much now in fact I feel in their way lots of the time during the holidays and weekends!

 

I'm meeting up with my Uni girls in the half term and will sound them out too and will keep you posted.

thanks again

Sam

[AnonyMouse_63]

Hi

I have done a lot of my training with the Open University. I have been considering the MA in Childhood and Youth with the OU but I have many issues to consider: finance, family life, staff cover, backing of my setting etc. If anyone has started on the course I would love to hear from you to see how much the work load is.

 

Carol

Edited April 2, 2012 by Carol

[Guest cathy m]

Hi

 

I have also studied with the OU and achieved BA ( Hons) Early Years in December 09. I continue to considered Masters and had a look at Sheffield Uni distance learning just last week. It can be done in 2 years and includes a few weekend schools. I really would like to stay with the OU and like Carol would appreciate someone who is currently doing this to feedback their experience.

 

Cathy

[AnonyMouse_8466]

I continue to considered Masters and had a look at Sheffield Uni distance learning just last week.

I have my application to Sheffield in the system somewhere, from last year! I just need to write my personal statement to go with it and then I can push the button. We could have an FSF corner!

[AnonyMouse_73]

great opportunity for you Sam, but do give it careful thought before you finally take the plunge.

 

I began a masters in September. It was partly a similar opportunity to yours that finally led me to sign up! I had also looked long and hard at the MA at Sheffield as well as others, but the cost was prohibitive for me, and I would have had to add cost of travel to the weekends as well as stay over and I don't have family in that area..will you need to consider those things too?

 

My MA isn't a specialist early years MA and I thought long and hard about that too. Im the only EY person in my group which does make it hard sometimes, but I really like the huge range of people..from secondary school teachers to social workers, to artists and musicians to health visitors. I feel I have certainly widened my knowledge outside of early years, but at times its a lonely journey too!

 

I am finding it hard though, especially the academic reading, doont even get me started on the language of the academically elite! That doesn't mean you would, but I'm doing two modules this year and in hindsight should have just done the one to get me started..you might feel differently if you have studied recently for example. I think you can take 5 years to complete, so no real rush, unless you want to of course.

 

Job wise, it isn't likely to make that much difference to you, unless you want to move into HE, where an MA might be a requirement. My first MA certainly didn't earn me any more money! My motivation is much more intrinsic, and sometimes I think even if I dont complete, Ill have learned something along the way. Much of what I am doing is researching my own practice, and my passion is exploring what partnership working actually means. But I also have a passion for digital exclusion in early years, and suspect my dissertation will eventually fall into this domain (but then who knows?)

 

I do think you need to weigh up the things you have mentioned, and you are the only one who can be realistic about what is manageable for you. For me, the suicide of a close family member was enough to make it all so much more of an uphilll struggle, and noone could have predicted such an event.

 

 

I doN'T know if that helps or hinders, but its realistic (well for me anyway!)

[AnonyMouse_5458]

Well, I've applied so just need to wait and see if they think I'm a good enough candidate. I have thought about it all, long and hard, and a couple of things which have made up my mind are that it's going to be taught by tutors I had for my BA and that lectures are on a Monday or Wednesday evening at the uni I did my BA at. It's local, hopefully there'll be people I've met at some other training I've attended over the years but if not, no worries. I didn't know any of the people I did my BA with and we're all off out for dinner tonight I know I couldn't do OU, I need contact with people, debates, discussions and other perspectives actually in front of me rather than read.

 

If I find it too much I can take a step back to gain perspective and prioritise. Life is passing me by, I have so many ideas of research projects I want to do at my setting and will aim to tie it all in with my studies. It will give me more reason to actually finish something at work that I've started (something always gets in the way!) But hopefully it will inspire my team to continue their professional development too.

 

Mundia, what is your MA in? And yes, your post really has helped thank you, and given me the final push to actually send in my application! Life throws some dreadful things at us but I couldn't bear to look back in a few years and regret not taking up the offer of a sponsorship.

 

They might throw out my application anyway, lol!

 

Sam

[AnonyMouse_1027]

Going to put a spanner in the works now - sorry! I have up until now all been for CPD loved my FD struggled a little with BA enjoyed EYP - but if i go for it (and M knows how reluctunct i am) apart from the usual- my own learning - what is a

going to give me? what opportunities will it give me???? sorry to be pesimistic

[Guest cathy m]

Hi hali

I know what you mean, I ask myself all those questions and for me personally it won't result in a pay increase (I'm a childminder) it will mean satisfaction in knowing I am capable of doing it, I enjoy studying and learning more mind you dont always think that at assignment time!

its just so expensive to undertake although I dont listen to hubby or others who may say 'whats the point'?

Oh well time will tell..

Please anyone currently doing this via OU what do you think?

 

Cathy