THE Government’s pledge to provide hard-pressed working parents with 30 hours of free childcare may take the pressure off family budgets – but it’s created a headache for nursery owners.
Despite childcare being one of the most rewarding careers around, there are over 22,000 open vacancies as nanny agencies, nurseries and other childcare settings struggle to attract enough new staff.
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Traditionally thought of as a female role, only three per cent of childcare workers are men and the sector is seeking ways to bring in more positive male role models for children.
There’s no more important job than raising the next generation, so here’s how to get started on an amazing childcare career.
What types of jobs are there?
Most-entry level roles involve looking after children, in either a nursery setting, as a childminder or private nanny.
Alongside this, nurseries offer roles in catering, cleaning, HR, marketing, management and accounts, exactly the same as any other business.
What are the benefits?
Childcare is very flexible. Most settings run from 7am to 6pm during the week, although private nannies will work hours to suit the family they look after.
There are part-time and full-time jobs, early starts or late finishes to suit your lifestyle.
If you have your own children you may get a discount on care, plus job satisfaction is high, seeing children grow and flourish.
Most big nursery chains offer benefits including healthcare and company pensions.
And the drawbacks?
It isn’t a job everyone can do. Of course, you have to love children and have plenty of patience.
You’ll need to be comfortable cleaning and caring for little ones and be ready for long days.
Some roles are demanding, as you’ll have to help with educating the children such as reading, music or sport, so some roles ask for extra qualifications in these areas.
What qualifications will I need?
Many nurseries take on apprentices and offer in-house training.
You will usually need GCSE Maths and English at Grade 5 as a basic qualification then work towards a specialist qualification such as a Level 2 or 3 Nursery Nurse qualification.
What skills will I need?
Most of the skills you’ll need are ‘soft skills’.
These include sensitivity and understanding, patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, teamwork, customer service and the ability to understand people’s reactions.
Find out more at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/nursery-worker.
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Ready to make a big step to care for little ones? Here are the Sun Jobs’ top picks of the week.
Flexible Nursery Nurse, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Bracknell
Need a nursery job with flex? Here’s your dream role.
The Role: Bright Horizons Bracknell Day Nursery and Preschool in Bracknell is seeking a Nursery Nurse to join its team.
What You’ll Do: If you are creative, enthusiastic, and have a passion for teaching and developing little minds, this role could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Working as part of a nursery team looking after babies and children up to the age of five you will complete daily activities including interactive play and reading.
You’ll provide a caring and supportive environment, create learning opportunities and ensure child welfare, protection, health and safety and ensure safeguarding procedures and policies are followed at all times.
What You’ll Need: To apply you’ll need a Level 2 or 3 childcare qualification, previous experience working with children (nursery bank staff, nursery assistant, teaching assistant, nursery practitioner, early years educator, nanny, childminder or similar).
A passion for making learning fun and engaging and a sound understanding of child protection and the safeguarding of children.
Apply Now: See more details here.
Assistant Nursery Manager, Busy Bees, Edinburgh
Growing up in your career? Take on this exciting Assistant Manager role.
The Role: Busy Bees’ Edinburgh Dean Terrace Nursery has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Assistant Nursery Manager to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis.
What You’ll Do: As an Assistant Manager at a Busy Bees nursery, you are a key holder and accountable for the day-to-day running of the centre.
You will manage the team of room leaders and senior room leaders and coach them by role modelling your knowledge and best practice.
A huge number of assistant managers go on to become nursery managers within Busy Bees and as such you will be required to step into this role in the absence of the nursery manager.
What You’ll Need: Applicants must be HNC, SQV Level 3 or Level 7 SSY&C qualified
Apply Now: View the full job description here.
Nursery Nurse, Megalo Recruit, London
Room leader experience? This job could be your next step.
The Role: Megalo Recruit is looking for a Nursery Nurse for a brand-new facility located near Finchley, North West London.
What You’ll Do: Working a shift pattern between the hours of 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, this role requires experience with all age groups.
What You’ll Need: The ideal candidate will hold a NNEB, CACHE or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Early Years childcare.
You must also have a solid knowledge of EYFS and excellent written and oral English communication skills, along with proven experience of one year or more as a room leader in a nursery setting.
Apply Now: Get more details about this opportunity here.
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