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Making the next step

Now that you have decided you want to work in childcare, there are quite a few things that you can do to start your career.

Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure

Firstly, in order for you to work in a childcare setting, you will need to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check to receive a Disclosure (refer to Useful Contacts for details), which the setting could arrange, and that is free for volunteers.

Contact the Family Information Service

Get in touch with the Recruitment Officer and ask to be given a copy of the "Careers in Childcare" video/DVD to give you an insight into what is involved in childcare and whether or not it is right for you.

Volunteer

You could consider volunteering within childcare, as this will provide you with the opportunity to gain some valuable experience. Further benefits and details are included on the Benefits of Volunteering page.

Reactive approach to job hunting

  • Respond to any advertisements that you have seen, for example in our job vacancy bulletin, by way of a CV or job application form.
  • Adapt your CV/application form for the specific job so that your skills match the job description.
  • Provide examples of how your experience matches the job description.
  • Use positive language in your application to ensure you are invited for an interview

Proactive approach to job hunting

  • Send a CV to local organizations
  • Include a covering letter in your application explaining what skills you have and what you would like to do
  • Follow it up with a phone call enquiring about any suitable work

Gain a qualification

Obtaining a qualification in Childcare and Playwork, or working towards one, significantly increases your chances of securing employment. There are two types of qualifications, Vocationally related qualifications (VRQ) and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ).

VRQ's are classroom based, with placements in childcare settings. The courses can be part time or in the evenings. An example is the Diploma in Early Years and Education.

NVQ's assess your performance, skills and competence as you work, and involves "on the job" training. You would build a portfolio of your work, and an assessor visits you in the workplace to monitor progress.