Careers in Childcare

[WannaBeMarryPoppins]

Hey everyone,

I am not sure whether this is necessarily the right section but I hope someone can help me.
I am currently at university, studying psychology and English. And while I enjoy it I know that I do not want to become a psychologist or anything but want to work directly with children. Things like educational psychology seem to be a lot of paperwork and more talk than anything else. That's at least what the educational psychologists have told me.

So I am looking into possibilities of breaking into a career with children. I have worked as an au pair in the States before (one year) and could imagine working as a nanny at least for a while.
I know there are college courses that allow you to get certificates in childcare. But as I will have done a four year degree by the time I am ready I am not sure I can afford an other two years. I am also not sure whether putting a college course on top of a BA makes sense?
I would definitely consider it though.

I have also looked into doing a PGCE in early years or the EYPS. With a qualification like that, would I still need a college course?

I have read on here how important experience is. As I have said I worked as an au pair and was in sole charge for 3 children. Unfortunately the contact with the family died rather quickly after I arrived back in Europe. We didn't fight or anything but there were certain things I wouldn't do their former au pair did, such as regularly work 20 hours more a week without extra pay. But that of course looks really bad when applying for a job as a nanny, right?
I do have a lot of voluntary experience in primary schools though and am working with Girls Guides. Would this be beneficial? I also babysat two children in Germany, but that was before my au pair year and my degree.

I know I got a lot of questions, it would be nice if some of you could shed some light on it.

thank you

If you have a degree you can go on and do EYPS in a year I think it is, but I think you have to be working in a setting.

I am doing EYPS now on the 15 month pathway as I've yet to finish my degree. I do have to go to college but this is only for one day every couple of months.

Thank you! I had a look around for EYPS and it would be one year if you are not employed in a nursery or whatever but have a degree.

Could you please tell me a bit about the course? Are you enjoying it, what sort of courses are you doing and do you think it's beneficial?

Could you get some recent experience whist doing your degree ... babysitting in the evening? Mothers help during the holidays, I know some families like to take an extra pair of hands on holiday and as it is not necessarily sole charge are prepared to take someone looking to gain experience especially if they are willing to work at a lower rate. You could also volunteer with families again who need an extra pair of hands, perhaps parents of multiples etc.

I did a year as an au pair in America and then contacted nanny agencies on my return. I got a mothers help job and then nanny jobs followed. I would contact agencies and get some summer holiday experience. Good luck

This is over a year old and was bumped by an advertiser...