Childcare, Early Education or Playwork Careers

Working in a nursery

Day nurseries provide care and education for children up to the age of 5 and are generally open from 8am - 6pm. Most are open all year round, except for weekends and bank holidays, but some are open term-time only (for example, college nurseries).

School nursery classes are open during school hours, and children may attend part-time (mornings or afternoons) or full-time; they provide early years education for children aged 3 and 4 years.

There are many different kinds of nurseries - private, local authority, employer or community run, open for different hours and catering for different children.

What will the job involve?

Whatever type of nursery you choose, the job will involve planning and organising a range of exciting educational and fun activities for children between the ages of birth and 4 years, as well as taking care of their personal needs (for sleep, food, and washing, for example). You can choose to work either full or part-time in most nurseries.

What experience you will need

Experience of looking after young children in your own family or friends' families is useful, but not essential. You need to be enthusiastic, energetic, and patient - and to enjoy helping children to learn.

The majority of nurseries are looking for unqualified as well as qualified staff (at least 50% of staff must be qualified). Most nurseries offer staff opportunities for training.

What qualifications you will need

The main qualifications accepted by nurseries are:

National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education (previously known as the National Nursery Examination Board Diploma in Nursery Nursing)

Call The Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education for details about courses, on 01727 847 636, or write to them at 8 Chequers Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3XZ.

Barking College (Tel: 01708 766841) and The Adult College of Barking and Dagenham (Tel: 020 8227 4772) offer a variety of relevant childcare courses.

Contact

Joan Gibbons

Family Information Service

3rd Floor

Bridge House

150 London Road

Barking

IG11 8BB

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3004

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: fis@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.