Career in Early Years

Early years careers offer rewarding opportunities to shape children's futures, with roles in nurseries, pre-schools, and as childminders. The sector provides various entry routes, including apprenticeships, training on the job, or specialized college courses. Key roles include practitioners, educators, and nursery managers.

Key Information & Resources

Early Years Careers (DfE Campaign): The main government site offers job searches, career advice, and information on working with young children.

Job Opportunities: Opportunities exist in Private, Voluntary, and Independent (PVI) settings, such as private nurseries, school-based nurseries, and pre-schools.
Career Progression Map: The Department for Education (DfE) provides a tool to help professionals plan their career paths.
Roles and Roles: Positions include Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educator, and Montessori Teachers.
Training and Qualifications: Options include Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeships and Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships.
Advice and Support: Call 0808 178 7880 or email earlyyears.careers@education.gov.uk for guidance.
Local Information:

Training

Step2Skills offer fully funded Early Years Bootcamps (12 weeks) designed to equip you with the skills you need to thrive in this rewarding field.

What you'll learn on this course:

Understanding child development stage
How to create educational activities
Safeguarding practices
Managing early years settings
How to support children with special educational needs
Paediatric First Aid.

You will need to be able to commit to weekly online classes for 12 weeks.

The planned Bootcamps will run as scheduled on their website - here is an example:

Mondays – 9:15am to 2.45pm
Wednesdays – 9.15am to 2.45pm

This Skills Bootcamp will include modules on safeguarding, child development, and food and nutrition, as well as some 1:1 sessions with your tutor and a careers' advice meeting.

There will be one full day where you will need to attend in person to complete your paediatric first aid qualification.

In between your live classes, you will be expected to undertake 6 hours of independent study per week.

The Level 2 Certificate is awarded by the NCFE.

Where to Find Jobs

DfE Careers Site: Early Years Careers is the primary hub for finding jobs.

Local Council Sites: Websites like Teach in Herts often list local vacancies.

Benefits

Rewarding Nature: Careers in this sector are described as unique and rewarding, with opportunities to see children grow, learn, and flourish.
Development: Opportunities exist to gain qualifications on the job, as shown in the National Careers Service profile for nursery workers.