Yes, I'm still here at the Entlisberg nursery in Zurich. Including my apprenticeship, I've been here for eleven years now. And I haven't regretted a single day. And yes, back then I wanted to do my vocational baccalaureate after my apprenticeship and study to become a nursery school teacher at the PH. I've moved away from that. Instead, I'm currently completing my higher technical college degree as a childhood educator.
My training company suggested that I do this training alongside my job. I didn't have to think twice. It allows me to deepen my knowledge of child development and acquire additional skills. For example, I am responsible for children with special needs, i.e. with disabilities, at our nursery.
My job is to find and coordinate appointments for parent-teacher meetings in the day-to-day running of the nursery, as there are several people involved in working with and supporting each child. Some people go on to manage a nursery after studying early childhood education. However, I want to remain in direct contact with the children in the group.
I had already completed the vocational trainer course before starting my studies. During my studies, I also took the course to become an examination expert, which means that I have been able to conduct practical final examinations since this year. Guiding learners is part of our job anyway.
I am interested in working with young people, perhaps in connection with addiction or in a children's home.
Many opportunities for further training
Right after completing my apprenticeship at the age of 18, I trained an apprentice who was 21. Someone in the office is responsible for vocational training, but I make sure that the apprentices carry out their learning assignments and support them in doing so. I may also become an ÜK teacher, who gives inter-company courses.
Nowadays, many more young men are doing the FaBe apprenticeship than in my day. However, we are still a small minority at the technical college. Perhaps that will change too. I can highly recommend the profession, not least because it offers many opportunities for further training.
Many people think that apart from group leadership and perhaps nursery management, there are no other options. But there are so many different directions you can take in the social sector. Next, I'm going to study social work – again alongside my job. Thanks to my HF qualification, I can do this without a school-leaving certificate and in a shortened course of study.
I can't say yet what will happen after this step, but I'm sure that there are many exciting opportunities waiting for me out there. I'm interested in working with young people, perhaps in connection with addiction or in a residential home. Even though I can't quite imagine not working here in Entlisberg anymore.
