Retraining to work as a childminder or in a nursery

[Kate1573]

I have worked as a TA in a primary school for the last 10 years. I enjoy my job but really need to work more hours. I would like to study to work either as a childminder or a nursery nurse and have read about the Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce. Does anyone know whether there is funding available for this and can I study while working in a primary school?

Well according to the Independent, Nick Clegg is aiming to recruit 65,000 nursery workers from September 2013.

So in terms of future job opportunities, there may be jobs in nurseries.

No idea about national funding currently for courses. However if you contact your local Early Years department of your council, they will be able to tell you about any local funding available. The funding may only be possible if you are working in a Registered Childcare Setting, so it might not apply if you are working in a School. If the school has a separate nursery, which is registered separately to the school, then if you worked there, you might get funding.

For example, I am in Surrey and we have Workforce Development Fund which provides some funding for some things.

I would not recommend working in a nursery (speaking from years of experience in 3 different Nurseries), if it's hours you're after I would go for a Nanny or Child minder job. Good luck

Thanks Nannynick, I'll email my council. I was wondering if I could request a move to Reception to study but maybe that wouldn't be acceptable. There is no nursery attached.

Blapbird, what is it you don't like about nurseries? I love working with children but working in a school means I have to take all the holidays off and I would prefer to work them now my children are older. Would love to hear your experiences.

The working conditions are appalling, lack of resources for the children, they are fed cheaply and they are very bitchy places to work, the pay is crap and the ratios are terrible in the UK.
If you love children, working in a nursery will break your heart

Have to agree with blapbird. Could you find work in an after school/ holiday club, or advertise youself as a holiday nanny?

Mmmmm thanks all, lots to think about.

I'm vaguely considering training as a childminder. There seems to be a lot of need round here. I'm not sure about the hours and have a lot to think about but have contacted my local early years people for more info.

I have had negative experiences with nurseries too, not that I stuck around in them long! Poor management, bitchy environment (towards each other, and about parents and the children), poor working conditions, ratios, etc. One I worked in I had placed my ds in too and I actually called his dad up while he was working a shift out of town and BEGGED him to come pick him up for me as I didn't even want him there the rest of my shift.

I loved working as a cm (mostly anyway, I liked the work, didn't like the paperwork) but my DS has autism and couldn't manage having other children in the house all the time. Stopped cm'ing when he was 4 (and that's when we went to a nursery).

Hi would have to agree with the others as an ex nursery worker now nanny would never ever go back into nursery work but know some of my friends who love working in a nursery and would never want to be a nanny. But for you if its more about working more hours so making more money then i would suggest the nanny route which i completed my level 3 in childcare whilst working full time or becoming a childminder which from what ive read can be alot of work and obviously the money wont start rolling in straight away but then its something you could also consider aswell.

To do a Level 3 qualification I understand I need to be working with young children? It seems impossible because all the vacancies I've looked at want Level 3 qualified but I can't do the course without a job! That's why I was hoping to be able to do the course while still at school, maybe requesting a move to Reception. I have emailed the early years department at my council as nannynick suggested. I don't like the idea of working in a bitchy environment.. it sounds horrible! Looks like childminding or nannying might be the way forward

May be worth having a chat with a training provider, such as mnt. You may be able to do it whilst being a nanny... not sure, worth asking.

What are the jobs that are wanting Level3 qualified... nanny work?

Training providers aren't always the most efficient way, you could do a college course part time, the NVQ 3 is soon to be worthless Id recommend trying to do a college course in child care (equivalent to A level then perhaps a degree in Early Years because at least then your prospects are broader.

You could become a childminder or a nanny without the level 3 qual and then do it. I got my level 3 whilst cm'ing.

It's been a while since I got my ofsted registration but I'm sure someone else would be able to tell you what is required.

If you work term time only why not look to get some experience volunteering in a nursery during the summer holidays ,it will give you a chance to see what its like.

If you are spending 5h a week or more with children in Yr-Y2 then maybe look at the Open Uni E100 which is regarded as a level 4 for ages 0-7.

link

I love my nursery, of course in any work situation you get the good, the bad and the ugly, there are lots of nurseries out there that are fab, also if you do go to a not so good one well your could change things around, theres nothing better then a fresh pair of ideas and new ideas to turn a bad nursery into a good one.

No if you work in a system that is fundamentally money driven and not based upon quality or paying staff well for their time and expertise it will grind you down, most people in Nurseries are very threatened by the idea of change or new ideas.

I would suggest looking for a job with the council in a nursery school or children's centre. Generally wages are much higher than private sector, better resources and training opportunities and they will fund you to get a level 3 qualification.

I was nursery assistant (my daughter also attending it and I had to pay from my crap salary for the privilege as well with only 40% discount) and I decided to become a CM just because I loved working with the children but hated seeing them in a nursery environment (that particular one anyway). My daughter had a hard time there (I was on a different room and another floor)and she was completely traumatised when potty trained there. As a CM I am not restricted to only one place all day, I take my charges to so many activities and the routines are more flexible depending on how we are feeling on the day and everyone needs.
Not to mention they receive much more attention and love they would ever receive in a nursery and I have a great relationship with the parents too (the parents from the nursery looked down on me as I was inly an assistant and treated the teachers and management very well even though those people didn't have their children best interests at heart, but parents couldn't see it).
As a CM you chose make your rules and chose your hours and pay, so if you have time and love children, do it.

* Just to make sure everyone understands I am talking about my own experience in that particular nursery**

Well, I emailed my council on Sunday but have yet to hear back which doesn't sound too promising!
Nannynick, it was mostly nurseries I was looking at that seemed to ask for NVQs or equivalent.
Oddboots, thanks for the link to that course, it's one I hadn't seen, They are so expensive to do though, aren't they?
I'm definitely going to research childminding and also Children's Centres which I hadn't thought of before

I am a Registered Childminder but because in my area there are so many childminders, Private Day Nurseries and not enough people in work. Am currently trying to advertise as much as possible but it seems as though its who you know around here

I want to update qualifications but there is no funding available, even Early Years is cutting down on training such as First Aid and Safeguarding. I might wait until my 10 year old starts high school and won't need me to be at school to pick him up.

I am a CM just waiting for my business to kick off.
I luckily just got onto the last level 3 course funded by my LA Early Years Department.
But I know that they are cutting back on all the training.

The best thing to do is actually ring them rather than email them. Ask to speak to someone who deals with training child minders.