What do I need to do to work in a nursery?

[WireCat]

Am going about out to work after not working much in my adult life.

Did a few years working, went abroad with husbands job.

Had children.

Had a job for a few years.

Had another child.

Now it's time for me to think about the rest of my working life. (Am 40!)

I love working with children.

I can't see on job websites, jobs for in nurserys or teaching assistants.

How do I get into one of those jobs? I know I will need a CRB.

I am educated to a levels but also have a very sketchy work background.

Also, if anyone could help with a cv, I'd be really grateful.

Many thanks.

Have found local college courses.

Will investigate those.

Is there a sure start/ children's centre you can get to? You could consider volunteering there or in a local school for experience. It's worth doing this to check whether the role is suited to you and if you're suited to the role. There are many different child care qualifications you can consider. Check what else your college has to offer.

Thank you Rummikub

I think initially volunteering is the way to go.

I have looked at the courses my local college offers.

Basic courses are for school leavers.

The other courses seem to be when I have a job & am earning. So it's a bit of a chicken & egg thing with regards to getting a qualification/job.

I will ring the college today as well for advise.

Also can I just apply for a CRB check so I've got one?

The college should hat for you or the organisation you volunteer with. You could also apply yourself. I don't know how sorry, I've always had mine done by my employer.

Cache level 3 diploma for the children and young people's workforce is the qualification to try for as it qualifies you as a professional nursery nurse. There is a level 2 certificate too.

There are also courses in play work as well as classroom assistant courses.

You could also consider the foundation degree or degree in early years, though this takes you more towards management roles.

You will need to see what local places offer. Some courses maybe targeted for 16-18 year olds but you could still access them.

www.southessex.ac.uk/subject-area/childcare-general.

Thanks Rummikub

They are the courses in my local college. Do you know what would be best?

I've had a look and it looks like the diploma level 3 is only for school leavers. The Childrens and Young Peoples Workforce (NVQ QCF)
Level 2 Certificate is aimed at adults. For the level 3 you have to have achieved the level 2 certificate.

Apply for that one and maybe get some voluntary experience soon. Are there other colleges or unis you can get to?

Hi WireCat, it might be worth phoning nurseries local to you or sending them a copy of your cv with a covering letter asking them to inform you of any vacancies. Some nurseries will take you on as unqualified staff with experience, put you through training and pay for your CRB.
Also if you want help with your cv the National Careers Service are great, they re-vamped my cv for free and also did me a skills action plan.
Good luck!

There are several courses that you could do, which would qualify you to work in a nursery, but tessoftheangels is right, some nurseries do take on unqualified staff, so it is worth contacting some.

I have no childcare qualifications, but I have been working in the baby room of a nursery since March and I love it, (mostly lol).

I was the supervisor in a busy preschool room before going on maternity leave. It will be more beneficial to you to have a L3 in some childcare qualification... NVQ for example. Take a look if any of your local nurseries train whilst you work though.

HOWEVER.... do find out about staff turnover before you commit to interview. I won't be returning to my job after Mat leave as the place was/is awful to work for. I have been employed there for 4 years and have seen 43 staff member come and go. They hire around 16-18 staff members at any one time. 7 of these have been since Feb... 3 of which started and left since Feb!.

If the staff turnover is low you know you will enjoy it, if its high stay well away!

I know somebody who's just done the Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma part-time as a mature student, and she didn't have a Level 2 certificate - you don't need it if you have equivalent qualifications e.g. GCSEs. She also doesn't currently work in childcare, she just arranged a voluntary placement for herself for the duration of the course where she was able to complete her practical assignments. Your local college will advise you if you ring up.

Wirecat, I've been lurking because you asked the same question I was going to. I'm a SAHM but am considering retraining in this field after doing some voluntary work at our local toddler group and loving it. Funnily enough, I'm SE Essex too. Maybe we'll take the same course? Thanks for the link, I'll be using that to get info on what I want to do. I've not decided what qualifications I'll want or need, so its a start to my research! Let us know how you get on?

Thanks for the further replies x

I ve just finished the L3 diploma via online study with the National Extension College - to be honest they were a bit rubbish but worth a look if courses in your area don't suit. I only had a levels prior to this and had worked in admin for years so I am sure could get on. You do need to be working in a childcare setting to do the course (couldbe voluntary). It's worth it - good luck!

Just to check I've got this right.

Apply to various nurseries (checking out staff turnover!) & then do the relevant courses.

I've no idea how to do a cv. I've only worked once for a few years in 14 years, before that I had so e office jobs abroad (no way to prove those) & before that an office job after I did my a levels.