CAREER CHANGE! NEED HELP!

[PEONY1318]

Hi All,

I have been thinking of drastically changing my so called 'occupation'. I am a legal secretary and ever since my son was born I have been thinking of going into childcare. He will be starting nursery in two weeks time.

It has only been a thought in my head so far, but the end result in my mind has always ended in me opening up a nursery myself. With visiting the nurseries in my area there have been things which I find quite unsatisfactory and find that maybe I could do a better job and also introduce new concepts and ideas into childcare.

The problem is I don't have any childcare qualifications and not a clue about running a nursery!!!! I am 25 and will have to start the clogs going soon if I ever want to do something about this!

Is there anybody out there who can give some sensible advice!?

I'm not an expert ... but I'd suggest applying for a job as an administrative manager of a nursery or company which owns nurseries to get experience of how the businesses are run, using your existing secretarial/legal skills. If you don't see any advertised, just call up all your local nurseries/holding companies which own nurseries... and ask if you can come in to ask their advice about how you could get this sort of role - if you're nice & well presented they'll remember you for next time. Then try to get nursery qualifications at the same time as working there. That would give you a track record in the field, an idea of how the management works, & some qualifications for when you're ready to strike out on your own. And I'd read 'What colour is your parachute' - career changers bible! Definitely go for it - life is too short to do a job which isn't really fulfilling you. Hope this helps and hope you get some useful replies