Childcare, Early Education or Playwork Careers

Working in a pre-school playgroup

Pre-school playgroups provide part-time childcare and education, generally for children aged between 2½ and 5 years. Pre-school playgroups offer a wide range of supervised play and learning opportunities and parents/carers are welcome to stay and join in if they wish.

Most pre-school providers in Barking and Dagenham are members of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Many pre-schools are registered to provide free early education places under the governments Nursery Education Grant scheme.

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 love helping children to learn.

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

What qualifications you will need

The main qualification accepted for work in pre-schools and playgroups are:

Pre-school Learning Alliance Diploma in Pre-school Practice (a Vocational Qualification at Level 3 awarded by The Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education|
Certificate in Pre-school Practice, (a Vocation Qualification at Level 2)

The Pre-school Learning Alliance can give you details of your nearest course and will send you a leaflet about their training programme.

The Pre-school Learning Alliance will also be able to give you information about pre-schools in your area. Contact the Pre-school Learning Alliance in Barking and Dagenham on 020 8591 4643.