Working in childcare

[Pinkpeaches]

Hello, I am 22 and hoping to get a job into childcare where I can also study a level 2 qualification. Does anyone have any advice or tips on working in childcare? Thank you!

I work in a nursery and love it but be under no illusions, it's hard work if you do it properly and pay is poor especially at your age. Don't mess about with a Level 2, it doesn't count as qualified. Do your Level 3 (my nursery would pay for this) as it makes you much more employable.

@KateF thank you for responding. Is it possible to do a level 3 without the level 2?

Yes, I never did Level 2. Did my Level 3 while volunteering in a playgroup when my children were small. I then returned to my previous career in international development but when I had to leave due to my children's needs I set up as a childminder then a few years ago moved to the nursery. It's a very useful qualification, you'll always find work.

It's a very rewarding career. You form close relationships with the children and their families and I enjoy being part of a team. Child development and the ways they learn are fascinating. So much so that I'm about to start a Masters in Early Education!

I did my level 3 without doing a Level 2.

Childcare is very hard work and as others have said , very poor pay. Not much over minimum wage. You are also ( in most nurseries) expected to take work home to do for free- writing up observations, planning etc.

I think at the moment you can do a Level 3 childcare qualification for free- have a look on the government website.

@KateF
Do you already have a degree? I'd love to do an EY Masters but left my degree many years ago as I was pregnant!

@Moonflower12 oh really! What should I search??

Also thanks everyone for your feedback it's really helpful

It’s hard and stressful work for very poor pay, minimum wage most of the time. You need to be prepared for that.

I would look at an apprenticeship, it was the job center who helped me get mine when I was quite young, I worked at a nursery and a lady came once a month to give me some work, it was impossible to fail really. Good luck!

After your level 2 you will also need to do level 3 too, so it might even be worth getting in touch with a local college as sometimes they offer courses that aren’t apprentice based, just classroom learning and a placement.

My friend is a childminder and I helped her to do her books last year she earnt £27,000 (before tax) she'd be lucky to get minimum wage in a nursery

Yes I have a degree but in a different discipline. I will do the Masters over 2 years while continuing to work.

Pay for the early years sector is shocking. I'm on £9.11/hour. I get paid for 40 hours a week, unpaid overtime is part of the job, and I am almost always planning or doing paperwork in the evenings and at weekends. If I get the Senior Practitioner role I've applied for I'll get a 20p/hour pay rise. I'm definitely not in it for the money!!

Having had my moan, I really do love the job and would encourage anyone to try it if they feel it's right for them. Good staff are so important. Just be prepared for the reality, we really don't just cuddle babies all day!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-free-level-3-qualification/list-of-free-level-3-qualifications-available-to-eligible-adults

Yes, a suitable course is in the list:
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) - NCFE