Working in Early
Years and Education

Be part of something big

Working with children is a big deal. It’s a job that makes a difference by helping to give children the best start in life.

 

 

 

Working in Early Years and Education

You can get so much out of working with small children. It’s a job with impact, where you can be part of their early education and make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

A job in early years and childcare is unique and rewarding. You get to be part of a child’s early education and help to shape their future. No matter what the day brings, you’ll feel joy in seeing children grow, learn and flourish. And there are lots of different types of roles.

You can be part of a team, lead a team or be your own boss and become a childminder. Do something big with a career in Early Years and Childcare.

 

 

• Where you can work

  There are many different roles in early years and childcare. You can work in: 

  • nurseries 

  • pre-schools 

  • playgroups 

  • schools 

  • your own home as a childminder 

   

• What you'll do

  You’ll support children’s development by being part of their early education and opening their minds to new ideas every day. This could involve: 

  • providing structured learning  

  • engaging in creative play 

  • encouraging physical skills and independence  

  • shaping each child’s learning based on their needs  

  • providing a safe and stimulating space 

  • building relationships with parents and carers  

• What you'll need

  The qualifications and skills you’ll need will depend on the role, but for most jobs, you’ll need a DBS check. Your employer will let you know the type of check you’ll need before you start your job. 

 

 

Training and Qualifications

You don’t need a qualification to start your career in early years and childcare but it’s something that nurseries and pre-schools often look for. Also, there are some roles where you will need to have an approved qualification.

Learning new skills and getting an approved qualification can help you to develop your knowledge and progress your career in early years and childcare. Take a look at the different ways to get started:

• Apprenticeships: start work now and get a qualification on the job

  Apprenticeships combine real work with training and study for a specific role. You’ll learn new skills, gain experience and earn a salary too. We offer the below apprenticeships:

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship 
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship 
  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship 

• Get a qualification before starting work

  If you want to gain a qualification through a classroom-based course, take a look at the part-time courses we offer below:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning 
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

  You can get free level 3 early years qualifications if you:

  • don’t already have a level 3 or higher qualification
  • are unemployed or earning below the National Living Wage annually – this is regardless of any other qualifications you hold

  You can also get free maths level 2 courses if you do not already have a GCSE in maths at grade 4 (or equivalent).

• Already have a qualification

  Many of our courses are designed specifically with workplace progression in mind, so if you already have a qualification or are currently employed in the early years setting and looking to take the next career-step, take a look at our courses below:

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship 
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship 
  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship 
  • Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning

We have a range of courses available to help you get into the Education sector, click the button below to browse our courses.

BROWSE OUR COURSES