It may seem like a cliché however, working in the childcare sector has and always will be a career choice for people whom ‘love working with children’ and can be one of the most fulfilling professions. It is not simply about playing with children (although this is a big aspect), but creating a stimulating, educational, fun and safe environment for children to develop in all areas. Within this vocation there are a wealth of opportunities available.

Early Years can genuinely be a career of choice for everyone and the misconceptions of it being a job that cannot offer good salaries, benefits or promotions are quickly disappearing.

Why Choose childcare:

• Variety of qualifications and career paths:

*Qualifications must be full and relevant to the early years or teaching sector, further information given below.

(Many roles also now come with additional benefits such as free childcare, increased pensions, share schemes).

• Increased professional status

With the changes in terms of legislation, qualification options and media attention around the sector there is a much higher regard for those working with young children.

• Challenging and fun environment

Often every day is different, there are opportunities for creating new activities, enjoying day trips, outdoor play. Also experiencing the wonder of children’s development such as initial steps, new words, excitement of first experiences.

• Growth of Childcare requirements

The demand for childcare has increased significantly over the last 30 years bringing with it a huge increase in prospects. The nursery sector is worth over £14.9b and jobs in the education sector account for 9% of the total workforce

• More opportunities for men

There is a huge push on encouraging more men into the sector as they are significantly underrepresented, an inequality that needs to change for the benefit of children. See two campaigns that are supporting this initiative https://twitter.com/MeninEarlyYears http://www.meninchildcare.co.uk

This is not the career path for everyone and there are things to consider:

• Qualifications:

It is important to make the right qualification choice, as there have been changes made by the Department of Education regarding which courses are ‘full and relevant’ to work as a practitioner in a Nursery. Do not spend years studying the wrong qualifications examples of these are health and social care courses and some childcare degrees. This can be a real minefield do before commencing any course please check the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eyfs-staffchild-ratios-dfe-approved-qualifications

GCSEs Grade C in Maths and English are not required to gain a level 3 in childcare. This change was made in 2017, however there is still confusion about this: https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1160488/gcse-level-3-rules-scrapped-as-early-years-workforce-strategy-is-released

• Criminal convictions:

There are some criminal convictions that will prevent you from working with children please ensure you research this.

• Hours of working:

Nurseries and child-minding establishments can be open between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm. there is often a requirement to be able to work on a rota between these hours. There are more opportunities opening for part-time working, but these are limited due to the requirements of these businesses to operate

• Paperwork

The Early Years Foundation stage is very much about supporting children through play, but there is lots of regulation that must be followed in relation to children’s learning including those monitored by Ofsted. Sometimes practitioners feel the framework and paperwork can take time away from working directly with children. However, it is necessary to ensure that all children’s progression can be tracked and therefore learning needs are met.

Overall Early Years careers are for energetic, enigmatic and passionate individuals who want to go to work to have fun; be sociable; experience challenges and be rewarded daily. So, whether you are at the start of your working life or looking for a career change this may just be the opportunity not to be missed!