Nursery nurse salary/potential? I'm deciding on a career change?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

I'm a single mum so rely on one income.
What salary is it unqualified?
Then what is is qualified?
Is there potential in increasing salary or position within childcare?

[Hippiechic]

Salary is very often minimum wage or thereabouts even when qualified. You could increase it by becoming a nursery manager or there are some related council/nhs jobs i.e. in residential children's services which are better paid but may involve working weekends/nights etc. You could become a teaching assistant also? Unfortunately it's a very low paid career.

[demirose87]

Yes agree with above poster, there isn't much difference in pay even if you are higher qualified to another level and it is very low paid.

[wowbutter]

Full time, unqualified is minimum wage usually.
Full time qualified was about 15-17k in nicer places.

[Ankleswingers]

It is a low paid career.

One that is done for the love of children and that reason only.

You only really start to get more of a decent salary when you are in a more senior role , such as a Deputy Manager or Manager.

Do you have any childcare qualifications? Do you plan on taking out an apprenticeship whilst in paid employment?

You can do this and it takes around 18 months to qualify.

Good luck

[happyelf]

I work in a local authority nursery and our salary scale is £18000-£22000. I've just qualified this year and my hourly rate is £11.31. Some friends from my course are working in private nurseries and just above nmw

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thanks everyone :)
It's what I want to do it as a single parent, I have to afford to live.

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

It's a job for unqualified with the opportunity to gain qualification. I'm 40 so not an apprenticeship :)
Currently working for the NHS.
Thanks :)

[Numberonecook]

Don’t think there’s many unqualified jobs around as most childcare settings need staff at at least a level 2. You would have to start as an apprentice training.

Minimum wage all the way unless you are VERY lucky and get a school job then maybe a few pence more an hour. It’s a very hard job and not just about playing with kids. I gave up as hard to juggle my own kids with work and I was struggling on so little money