Choosing a career in childcare

Work in your own home

Job Roles

Become a childminder.

What is a childminder?

A childminder is someone who is registered to look after one or more children under the age of eight to whom they are not related. They look after them in their own home for reward and for a total of more than 2 hours in any day.

The maximum number of children any childminder may care for (including their own children) is 6 under the age of 8. This will include a maximum of 3 children under the age of 5.

What does a childminder do?

Childminders plan and provider activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

An average day may include activities such as painting, drawing, an outing to the park, play, reading and meals. You would also take care of needs such as feeding, washing and sleep.

A childminder encourages children to be confident, independent, and develops their self-esteem, whilst helping them to learn about what is right and wrong.

Benefits of becoming a childminder

• You would be self-employed and perhaps work flexible hours, depending on yours and your client's needs.
• You could combine developing a career as a childminder with your own childcare needs.
• A childminder start-up grant is available which will help you set up your business.
• You would have access to Early Years and Childcare training courses.
• Support from other childminding groups or networks as well as the Local Education Authority, where you can meet other childminders.

Next steps

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact the Childminder Provider Support Officer, Margaret Monori, on 020 8831 6229. You will be provided with further information and a letter inviting you to an Information Briefing Session, where you can find out what is involved in becoming a childminder.

Work in a nursery

Job Roles

Nursery assistant, nursery nurse, nursery supervisor, nursery manager.

What is a nursery?

A nursery is a provision that provides day care for children under the age of 8. It could be working in a voluntary or community group, local authority, private company or place of work (for employees to use).

Whilst working in any of the above roles you would work with children from birth to the age of 8 in a nursery. You would plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

What do nursery staff do?

Nursery staff would plan and organize stimulating, educational and fun activities whilst also taking care of needs such as feeding, washing, sleep.

You would listen to what children say, talk with them about what they're doing while encouraging positive relationships between children and their parents.

Benefits of working within a nursery

• You would work term time only, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. This could mean flexibility from just a few hours work a week to more regular part-time or full-time employment.
• You could work whether you are qualified or unqualified, for example as a nursery assistant or nursery manager.
• If you are unqualified in childcare, you could volunteer to gain some experience or find a provider that will give you the chance to gain on the job training and work towards a qualification (details of which can be found on the previous page).
• If you are qualified, then you could provide good quality care working for someone else, leading a team, becoming a manager or set up your own business.
• You would be able to attend Early Years and Childcare training courses and have progression prospects throughout your childcare career.

Next steps

You could consider contacting a college in the borough to gain a qualification, or approach nurseries directly to see if they need staff and offer on the job training. You can also contact the Recruitment Officer at the Family Information Service for a list of organizations that are looking for employees, volunteers, or students wanting to launch their career.

Work in sessional care (Pre-school or Playgroup)

Job Roles

Pre-school/Playgroup assistant, pre-school/playgroup leader, pre-school/playgroup manager.

What is sessional care?

Sessional care is a provision where children under 8 attend daycare for no more than 5 sessions a week, each session not lasting more than 4 hours.

They are designed to create an environment that is fun, relaxed and encourages children, staff and parents to build long lasting relationships.

What do staff within sessional care do?

You would be providing activities, play opportunities and first hand experiences that allow children to build on their natural curiosity.

You would develop their language and math skills, whilst enabling them to develop their social relationships.

Benefits of working in sessional care

• You could work hours that suit you, that is mornings or afternoons. You could work term time, full time or part time too.
• You could be unqualified working under supervision alongside the leader, or go on a training course as you work.
• You could use you existing skills to gain experience and build your confidence and abilities to become a leader or set up your own group.

Next steps

If you are qualified you could search for careers in our vacancy bulletin, local websites or approach providers themselves.

If you are unqualified you could volunteer to gain experience or approach organizations directly to see if they need unqualified staff. They could possibly offer on the job training for example as an assistant under supervision.

To improve your skills and experience, you could consider contacting a college in the borough to gain a qualification.

Work in out of school care

Job Roles

Assistant playworker, senior playworker, playwork manager, adventure playworker, holiday playworker, playwork development officer.

What is out of school care?

This is a provision that provides day care for children between 3 and 14 years which operate either before school, after school or during the school holidays.

The total care provided is for more than 2 hours a day, where during this time the main purpose is to look after children in the absence of their parents.

They are usually run by voluntary organizations, local authorities or charities, in schools, community centres, leisure centres or parks.

What would you do?

Your role as a playworker would involve working in a team, providing and participating in stimulating activities which allow the children to use their imagination and in which they have as much choice as possible.

You could participate in sports, drama, arts and crafts and music. You may also be involved in assisting children with their homework and going on special events and outings.

Benefits of working in Out of School care

• You would have the chance to work flexible hours, part time or full time or just during the holidays.
• You may be given the chance to gain a nationally recognized qualifications.
• You could gain experience working with different ages of children
• You could use your existing childcare skills to gain experience and build your confidence and abilities to become a leader or set up your own group.

Next steps

If you are qualified you could search for careers in our vacancy bulletin, local websites or approach providers themselves.

If you are unqualified you could volunteer to gain experience or approach organizations directly to see if they need unqualified staff. They could possibly offer on the job training for example as an assistant under supervision.

To improve your skills and experience, you could consider contacting a college in the borough to gain a qualifications.