Working in an Early Years Setting

Is it for you?

  • would you like to work with children aged from 0-5 years old?
  • do you like the idea of supporting children’s development and learning?
  • would you like to gain nationally recognised qualifications?
  • would you like to be part of a professional team with opportunities for training and career development?
  • if so, a career working in an Early Years setting could be for you

What’s involved?

Are you qualified?

If you have a Diploma in Nursery Nursing, an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or Education or a new level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce there are opportunities to work as a Nursery Officer, Pre-school Worker, Senior Nursery Officer and perhaps move onto managing an Early Years setting. Within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea there are a range of settings where you could find employment:

  • community nurseries that cater for children from 0-5 years and are usually open from 8am-6pm during term-time and holidays
  • private day nurseries, which can also cater for children from 0-5 years and are also usually open from 8am-6pm during term-time and holidays
  • private or maintained nursery schools that specifically focus on the early years care and education of children aged 2-5 years
  • pre-schools that also cater for children aged 2-5 years
  • local authority children’s centres that provide care and learning for children aged 0-5 years and support to their families

Are you unqualified?

If you have no qualifications there might be some job opportunities for voluntary or paid work as a Nursery Assistant in an Early Years setting under the supervision of more qualified members of staff. Most employers will encourage staff to take up training opportunities that will support them in developing their skills and experience. You might want to consider attending the new level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce. Your employer, your local college and the Family Information Service will be able to support you in finding more details about this course.

Interested? What next?

You can contact individual early years settings directly to see whether they are looking for qualified or unqualified staff, or alternatively contact the Family Information Service to obtain an up-to-date job vacancies list. You can also find out about training opportunities through your local college and the Early Years Team (see Training contacts sheet).

What kind of person are Early Years settings looking for?

Early Years settings will want you to demonstrate that you are keen to be involved in the early development and learning of a child’s life, and that you have a professional and caring attitude towards this. They look for staff who are committed, energetic and understand the needs of both children and their families.

What are the advantages?

  • working with young children means no two days are ever the same. You will have a crucial role in providing children with a stimulating and challenging environment
  • you will be working as part of a team of professionals, with the opportunity for continuing professional development training
  • many early years settings support flexible working, and the majority of settings are term-time only which can enable parents to work whilst their children are at school

What next?

  • if you are qualified you can have a look through the enclosed job vacancies and see whether there are any jobs that interest you. If there are you can contact the providers directly to ask for an application form. You can also check for up to date job vacancies at http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk For other options of what to do next and to find out more about qualifications please look through the contacts section included in this pack.
  • if you are unqualified contact your nearest or preferred training provider and find out about the range of early years courses that they have on offer. Please see the list of training providers enclosed in this pack.