Have you been thinking about a career in Early Years?
It’s 2022 and you’re thinking about a career change, after all the time to think during the pandemic. Could a career in Early Years working with children be a route for you?
We’ve put together this article to discuss what options you have, what the career route is and discuss if this is a role for you. Not only will we talk to you about whether this could be a good change for yourself, we also can direct you to potential positions in your area, we work with many nurseries throughout the country and can direct you to the right people
Thinking Early Years? Think Eden
What does working in a Nursery involve?
One of the first things you do at the start of your day when working in a nursery, is greeting the parents and children that come into the setting! If you’re sociable and a high energy person what a way to start the day.
Setting up activities and cleaning up after sessions is also a priority when you become a practitioner, ensuring that children are playing safely, whether that’s indoors or out.
It’s not just people at work that get hungry! So do the children, so you may be expected to help around the kitchen when preparing snacks and food when mealtime comes around. This also involves assisting them to go to the toilet when needed.
Being a team player is an important part of being in a nursery, you’ll be working alongside other practitioners who you will be working closely with to ensure the safety of children and the running of the setting.
What are the pay rates for an entry-level Nursery role?
According to Payscale.com, the average hourly rate for entry-level Nursery Workers is £8.49, with the top end of the scale going up to £9.97. This figure is for those that do not hold any qualifications, so would just be an entry-level pay rate until or if you decide to do a course.
What training is available to become a Nursery Practitioner?
If you’re wanting a career in childcare, then one of the best and most accessible routes is an apprenticeship. The programmes allow you to train whilst working in a setting, and the levels of progression start at an entry-level role at Level 2 all the way up to a Degree Level 5. Obviously the higher you achieve within your qualifications, the more responsibilities and salary you will receive. If you’re looking for a nursery or a training provider that you can start your course or apprenticeship with, then you can get in touch with us, as we’re specialists in Early Years Training.
Do you like training and helping others learn?
One of the key elements of working in a nursery, is to provide knowledge and help the children learn, through play and activities. If you like the sound of educating and helping young people develop then this could be the career move for you.
Apprenticeship programmes are designed to give you the skills, knowledge and behaviours to be able to be an effective nursery practitioner, so don’t worry if you feel you don’t have the confidence at the moment, it’s a progression.
What are the career prospects?
You’ll most likely start in a nursery as a general worker, assisting other practitioners in the daily running of the nursery, but there is a career pathway for those wanting to develop further. Here are the qualifications you can take throughout your journey in Early Years.
Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Childcare Practice & Management
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
What other courses are available to those working in a Nursery?
Developing the right skills and qualifications will make it easier for you to find a position or nursery setting. We’ve outlined some other qualifications that can set you forward to having the knowledge you can gain to thrive in a nursery setting:
Paediatric First Aid
One of the most important skills sets or qualifications a nursery practitioner can have is the ability to know first aid for children. It’s key that nurseries ensure safety in their settings and help minimise potential risks. At Eden we have a course that is free for all nursery apprentices and gives you the insight and preparation on what needs to be done in case of an emergency. You can find out more about the course here: Paediatric First Aid.
SENCo
Every child is different and has their own unique strengths and challenges, to ensure that all children have the best possible outcome whilst at a setting, it’s important to understand that they are diverse and some may have learning difficulties or disabilities.
The SENCo qualification is a Level 3 award in Special Education Needs Coordinators and is aimed at Level 3 Nursery Practitioners.
If you want to be able to support children at all levels and needs, SENCo could be an additional qualification to take.
Know somebody that would benefit from taking on this course? Get in touch.
Where can I find a nursery?
If you’ve had a look at the courses that we offer at Eden and now are looking for a Nursery, then the best bet is to do some research yourself. We recommend that you use websites like Google and Facebook to find settings in your local area, and drop them an email with a personalised message and you’re CV. Once you find a nursery that is taking on new hires or apprentices, you can them direct them to Eden and let them know that they would be happy to take you on as one of our learners.
Why Eden for Early Years Apprenticeships?
Eden have been delivering Apprenticeship programmes since 2008, with the aim to focus and become the number one training providers for Early Years in 2021. You can visit our website or download our Prospectus to learn more about our company. If you’re still unsure, then don’t just take our word for it! You can visit our Trustpilot page to find out what our previous learners and nurseries have said about us.
Conclusion
It’s important when taking on a new challenge or stepping into a new career that it’s the right move for you, especially when taking on an apprenticeship, the last thing you want to do is waste your own time, the nurseries or the training provider! But even if it’s just something you’re thinking about, it’s worthwhile pursuing!
We hope that this article has helped you make a decision on whether this career path is for you, if you have any questions regards childcare or early years then browse our website or give us a call on 0800 756 3985.
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