Career change to a nursery. Is it possible at my age?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Mature (40) mum looking to career change.
In a nursery.
I have qualifications but not an early years one. I know they offer 16-24 apprenticeships (training whilst working)
Wondering if anyone could give me Info on mature training whilst working. I'm willing to pay for the training but obviously need to work at the same time, preferably in a nursery.

[Tumbleweed101]

You can usually train in house while working. Takes approx 18mths to complete a level 3. I did my level 3 qualification while working and I was 39 when I started it and hadn't worked in early years before.

[missyB1]

Im 49 and have just started volunteering in a school nursery, i'm not sure where it will lead, but I possibly might apply for a job there at some point and do on the job qualifications.

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thankyou :)
I'm wondering what the salary is? Start I g and opportunity for potential?

[moonbeam75]

The Teaching Assistant route takes less time and you would then be qualified to work in Reception year unless you wanted to work with younger children. In my area you need to attend half a day at college and have a placement for 1 day in a school setting. You'd start in September and be level 3 certified by the following July. Lots of people on my course were in their 30's and 40's, going back to working with children is popular for "older" folks 😎 Good luck 👍

[moonbeam75]

Pavement needs to be for 1 day a week, this applied for TA or Nursery route at my college. It's also best to try to get your placement before your course starts or in the first week as places are snapped up quickly by all students embarking on their Nursery, TA college course and the Uni courses.

[moonbeam75]

*placement not pavement

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thankyou just got offered a job but meaning a big pay cut 🤔

[Numberonecook]

I was an early years professional before going back to uni. It’s a hard job. It’s not just playing with the kids and it’s often just minimum wage. If you are lucky enough to get a school nursery job grab it with both hands. They are extreamly rare and better paid.

As for the qualification it used to be if you had no other level 3 you could get funding. Now I don’t think that’s the case and you have to pay. It takes between 12 and 18 months and can cost between £700 and £1000 unless you can find an employer to fund you.

Progression to level 4 is possible if you are in a management role and there’s even foundation degrees in early years to enable you to become senior. Good luck

[Appuskidu]

It's not a job that needs lengthy expensive training like some others so shouldn't be difficult. You'd have to do placements in a nursery so would need a job allowing you to do that. The pay is usually pretty dire in nurseries though-not much above minimum wage, so it's wise to be aware that you won't suddenly be on a good salary once you've trained. Even school-based TA wages are low.

[insancerre]

Do you have a degree?
You can train to be an early years teacher for free
You can do it while working in a nursery too

[insancerre]

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/become-an-early-years-teacher

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Hi
Thankyou for your messages.
I made the decision to take the job and take 6 months off uni. I feel I need the head space, away from mental health for a little while.
I'm so disappointed the wage is minimum wage. I can't imagine it going up that much even if I were to complete my training in childcare.
I think whatever happens I need my degree (I don't have a degree already) for future financial security. I'm sad that it can't be within childcare. I'm just hoping my degree will give me an opportunity somehow as I do not wish to work within mental health.

[Appuskidu]

Well done for being offered a job :)

I have to say though, if I was in your shoes-I wouldn't take time out of university but would get my degree finished. What's your thinking behind that? What degree are you studying towards?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Appuskidu Hi :) thankyou!
It's mental health nursing. I'm just finding it a little heavy and feel it's having an impact on my own mental health. I'm a single parent and have to work also, so have found it very difficult to the point of not enjoying it and questioning if it's the right career for me. It took me a while to make the decision of taking 6 mo this out. Meaning I haven't closed the door to it, just taking time away from mental health altogether. I do feel I need to finish it as I dont think i can afford to live on a nursery wage.