Nursery Nurse
What is the work like?
As a nursery nurse you would work with children from birth to around seven years of age, helping them to develop and learn. You would work in settings such as local authority or privately owned nurseries, and nursery or infant schools. In some jobs you could be known as a nursery practitioner.
Your day-to-day tasks would include:
- planning and supervising activities such arts and crafts, music and cooking
- helping children to learn number skills through activities like counting games
- reading stories and providing other activities to develop language skills
- taking children on outings
- helping children to learn skills such as dressing and using cutlery
- observing children and writing reports on their progress
- being aware of health and safety and making sure children are safe
- working closely with parents and giving them information on their child's development
- reporting any concerns such as signs of abuse
- feeding, bathing and changing babies.
You could specialise in working with children with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health problems.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not always need academic qualifications to start training as a nursery nurse. However, course providers and employers may prefer you to have a good general standard of education, possibly including three or four GCSEs (A-C) or similar qualifications.
Before you can begin working with children you will need CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) clearance.
Nursery Assistant
You could begin your career by working under supervision as a nursery assistant. Courses and qualifications that can help you prepare for work as a nursery assistant include:
- CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and Education
- City & Guilds, CACHE or BTEC Certificate in Children's Care, Learning and Development
- NVQ Level 2 in Children's Care, Learning and Development – you may need to arrange a relevant work placement.
To begin work as a nursery nurse, you will need a qualification such as:
- CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
- BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development
- NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development – you may need to arrange a relevant work placement.
See the 'Practitioners' section of the Early Years and Playwork Qualifications Database for a full list of qualifications.
Courses are available both full- and part-time. Entry requirements can vary, so you should check with colleges for exact details.
You may be able to find work in a nursery as a trainee and attend college part-time to work towards NVQs in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
You may be able to get into nursery work through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in new window).
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working as a nursery nurse you can develop your career by doing further training, including:
- CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development (CPD) in Work with Children and Young People
- BTEC HNC/HND in subjects such as Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families, or Early Childhood Studies
- a degree or foundation degree in, for example, Early Years or Early Childhood Studies.
If you have management or supervisory responsibilities, you can work towards qualifications like NVQ Level 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development or the Open University Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice.
Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)
The government aims to have early years professionals in all children's daycare centres in the private, voluntary and independent sectors by 2010. With experience, qualifications and support from your employer (or local training provider) you may be able to work towards EYP status.
There are four pathways to achieving EYPS. The route available to you will depend on your qualifications and the amount of experience you have working with 0-5 year olds. With EYPS, you would work to raise the quality of early years practice and support and mentor other practitioners. For more information, see the Children's Workforce Development Council website.
Where can I go for more information?
Customer Service TeamOne90 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7BH
Tel: 0870 240 9800
Friends Provident House
13-14 South Parade
Leeds
LS1 5QS
Tel: 0113 244 6311
Grosvenor Road
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3AW
Tel: 0845 347 2123
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- The starting salary for junior or trainee nursery nurses can be between £9,000 and £11,500 a year.
- Qualified and experienced nursery nurses can earn between £14,000 and £17,000.
- Nursery officers, managers or supervisors can earn up to £32,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours would be likely to include early starts and late finishes to meet the needs of parents.
Working in a nursery can be physically demanding and noisy.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a warm, caring and patient nature
- good communication skills
- a sense of responsibility
- a consistent and fair approach
- a sense of humour
- a good level of fitness
- creativity
- an awareness of safety and hygiene
- the ability to work in a team.
What opportunities are there?
Demand for qualified nursery nurses is high in both private and local authority nurseries. You can also find job opportunities overseas. Vacancies are advertised in the national and local press, through specialist agencies' websites and in publications such as Nursery World.
You may also choose to work as a nanny or maternity nanny – check the Nanny job profile for more information.
As an experienced nursery nurse you could:
- become a community nursery nurse – see the Community Nursery Nurse profile
- progress to nursery officer or manager – see the Nursery Manager profile
- complete further training to move into related areas of work, such as nursing, teaching or social work – check the relevant job profiles for details.
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