Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21 - 149

E D UCAT I O N

E

ducation doesn't
begin when a child
starts primary school.
Childcare professionals
play a vital role for
preschool children,
giving them inspiration, structure
and an opportunity to play, as well
as supporting parents. They prepare
children for their school experiences
and help them develop learning skills
in a safe and welcoming environment.
Watching a child play, seeing their
imagination take them on adventures and

management, being a tutor, and roles
with the local authority. So, where will
your imagination take you?

Early years manager
In this role you might be based at a
preschool or nursery setting, where
you're responsible for planning
activities to promote learning, engaging
community partners, managing staff,
recruitment and monitoring budgets.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? You'd be expected to have
a qualification in childcare or child

" In the UK, there are around 363,400
early years staff, including almost
40,000 registered childminders "
noticing how their personalities develop
over their first few years are among the
great joys of working in childcare. And
teaching a child a new skill, and seeing
how proud they are when they realise
they've mastered it, is priceless.
There are numerous employment
opportunities in the childcare sector.
In the UK, there are around 363,400
early years staff, according to the
Department for Education, including
almost 40,000 registered childminders.
Working in the early years sector could
mean being a childminder in your own
home, becoming a nanny, working at a
preschool or nursery, or being a nursery
nurse in a school setting. Within these
roles there is also huge scope for career
progression in areas such as safeguarding
and special educational needs, early
years teaching in schools, social work,

development equivalent to NVQ
level 3, GCSEs in maths and English,
and safeguarding training. Excellent
management and communication
skills are essential, as is the ability
to work under pressure.
How much can I earn? The
average salary is around £27,000.

Childminder
This involves looking after children
in your own home, preparing meals
and snacks, providing stimulating
activities and possibly collecting
older children from school.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? Anyone in England who looks
after children under the age of eight
to whom they are not related and for
more than two hours a day, must be
registered with Ofsted. You'll need to

undertake a local authority-approved
childcare training course and get a
paediatric first aid certificate. Qualities
needed include patience, flexibility,
and good communication skills. It also
helps if you enjoy reading and creative
play, and have plenty of energy.
How much can I earn? It depends
on how many children you care, for,
but an average salary is between
£16,000 and £18,000 per year.

Nursery administrator
Providing admin support to a nursery,
you'll maintain family accounts, process
invoices, pursue fees and maintain
records for staff, children and parents.
You might also help prepare the payroll
spreadsheet and order equipment.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? You'd be expected to have maths
and English GCSEs, good communication
skills, confidence, strong attention
to detail and computing skills. A
background in clerical work is useful.
How much can I earn? Around
£17,000 to £20,000 per annum,
although many positions are part-time.

Forest school early
years practitioner
Love getting back to nature? At a
forest school, you could be cooking
on camp fires, foraging in the woods,
tracking animals and building bridges,
or visiting schools to teach children
outside - all activities that are
designed to help build independence
and self-esteem in children.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? You'll need an early years
practitioner qualification level 2 or
3, and often forest school training to
gain practical skills, health and safety
awareness, and skills in group leadership.
A passion for the outdoors is a must.
How much can I earn? Between
£17,500 and £20,000 per year.

Find out more
* Early Years Alliance
eyalliance.org.uk
* Forest School Association
forestschoolassociation.org
* Professional Association for
Childcare & Early Years
pacey.org.uk

JOBS & CAREERS /// 149

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http://eyalliance.org.uk http://www.forestschoolassociation.org http://pacey.org.uk
Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21

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