Nursery worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You can take a college course before looking for work in a nursery. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Childcare
• Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care - Early Years Educator
• T Level in Education and Early Years

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career by doing an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take from 12 to 18 months to complete.

Find out more about early years apprenticeships

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You can work as a nursery assistant and learn on the job. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English to start. Experience of working with young children will also help.

Volunteering

You can get experience by volunteering at a local nursery group or after school club. This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience of working with young children and a qualification in childcare.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• active listening skills
• concentration skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• a desire to help people
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of English language
• a good memory
• administration skills

What you'll do:

Nursery workers help babies and children up to 5 years old to develop and learn in a safe and supportive setting.

As a nursery worker you will:

• plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
• help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games, singing and story telling
• take children on outings
• feed and change babies
• keep indoor and outdoor work areas clean and safe
• record children's development and share with parents, carers and other staff

Location : You could work in a nursery.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically active.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £14,500
Experienced : £23,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm on a rota

Career Path:

As an experienced nursery worker you could specialise in working with children who have difficulties with learning, physical disabilities, or need support with their mental health.

With further training, you could:

• apply to be a room leader or senior nursery worker
• move into nursery centre management
• become an early years teacher