Introduction

If you want to work with children – now is a really good time to start your career. Improving child care provision is high on the government’s list of priorities and their aim to provide places for all 3 to 4 year olds has created thousands of new jobs; in fact there is currently a shortage of qualified child care staff in many local authorities.

Nursery workers (sometimes known as nursery nurses) provide care and education for children aged up to 8 years old and they play an important part in a child’s early life.

All local authorities employ nursery workers – mainly in education departments but also in social services and leisure departments – but the exact job title varies according to the place and level of work. Alternative job titles include nursery assistant, nursery officer, nursery manager, crèche officer/manager, and child care and education worker.

There are currently more than 70,000 nursery workers working in schools and many more working in local authority-run child care facilities such as nurseries and crèches.

Work Environment

Nursery workers and officers work with groups of young children in a range of child care facilities, including schools, nurseries, children’s homes, crèches, play schemes, playgroups, health centres and family centres. The working environment is usually quite noisy, untidy and often ‘boisterous’.

They generally work between 32 and 40 hours a week, although part-time, flexi-time and jobshare opportunities are available. Working weeks can often involve early starts or late finishes and Saturdays.

Nursery workers in schools work school hours and have school holidays.

Daily Activities

Nursery workers are not just responsible for the care of children but for also for their development – so during a typical week they are involved in planning educational play activities, as well as playing alongside them and encouraging them to participate. Activities vary depending on the place of work, but typically duties include:

• welcoming children and parents in the morning and settling the children to various play activities, such as painting, drawing, toys, sand and water play, etc.
• organising and leading group activities such as singing, music, mime, role-play, number and word games, baking
• planning and setting out themed activity areas – such as ‘drawing my house’, ‘going shopping’, ‘making birthday cards’ – and helping the children to understand and complete their tasks
• talking to and interacting with the children, keeping a watchful eye on the children’s behaviour, encouraging shy children to participate and maintaining discipline
• providing snacks and assisting them to eat, wash and toilet
• reading stories to groups
• ensuring that children are playing safely, overseeing outdoor play on swings, slides, etc
• clearing away after activities and at the end of the day
• completing paperwork, children’s files and keeping records
• working closely with other staff at the nursery.

The role of the nursery worker also involves identifying children who need extra help or who may be experiencing physical or emotional difficulties. In such cases they talk to the parents and occasionally call on the expertise of professionals such as social workers, speech therapists or educational psychologists.

Skills & Interests

The most important qualities are a caring nature and a genuine interest in children and their development. In addition you need:

• an enthusiastic, cheerful and friendly personality
• communication and listening skills
• patience – with all children, but especially with those with behavioural problems or special educational needs
• a calm nature and the ability to keep a cool head in a crisis
• teamworking skills and the ability to get on with adults (parents, colleagues and child care professionals)
• creative skills and the ability to plan exciting activities
• plenty of energy
• a sense of humour!

Entry Requirements

Although it is possible to work in a nursery setting without qualifications, local authorities tend to look for qualified staff, and there are more and better opportunities for people with childcare qualifications. Posts that involve caring for children under the supervision of senior staff (generally known as nursery assistants) may ask for one of the following:

• CACHE Certificate in Child Care and Education
• City and Guilds Level 2 Award in Early Years Care and Education
• NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education

Posts that involve sole responsibility for children (generally known as nursery workers) may ask for one of the following:

• CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education (previously known as NNEB) – entrants to this qualification usually have at least 3 GCSEs/S grades
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
• BTEC National Diploma in Early Years

More senior nursery officers/managers with staff and operational responsibilities may be expected to have the CACHE Advanced Diploma in Child Care and Education, or the CACHE Professional Development Awards, or NVQ/SVQ Level 4. In Scotland, the Scottish Child Care and Education Board (SCCEB) issues Certificates of Registration to nursery workers. Training is usually via an SVQ Level 3, OR via a one-year programme of SQA National Certificate modules, plus a one-year HNC in Child Care and Education. Depending on the level of post, local authorities may also ask for two years experience of working in a child care facility and experience of report writing and record keeping. To be considered for an unqualified nursery assistant position, you would need recent proven experience in an under-five or school setting and be able to demonstrate some understanding of early years development. It is likely that you will be encouraged to undertake relevant qualifications, such as NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education, whilst in employment. Training opportunities through Apprenticeships (part of the Skillseekers Initiative in Scotland) are available in some areas. Contact your local careers office for details.

Estimated salary range

Salaries vary depending on the level of the post and qualifications, but are generally in the range of £10,278 – £14,000

Senior nursery officers and managers can earn around £15,000 to £20,000.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Promotion usually depends on both experience and qualifications. Nursery assistants can become nursery officers and may then progress to become nursery managers.

Some go on to set up their own nurseries, or move in to related areas such as education (teaching assistant or special needs adviser) or social services (care assistant).

Nursery workers with NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Early Years and Education can train to become teachers.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Educating Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education www.cache.org.uk

Professional Association of Nursery Nurses www.pat.org.uk

Childcare careers information www.childcarecareers.gov.uk

Website providing help, advice and job related information for nursery nurses www.nurserynurses.co.uk

Scottish Child Care & Education Board Tel: 01294 470380 (mornings only)

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under F.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Nursery Worker vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.