What it takes to work in childcare
Have you got what it takes to work in childcare
Working in Childcare, Playwork and Early Years Education can be rewarding, challenging, stimulating and fun. The skills needed include being :
- creative,
- a good listener,
- respectful,
- patient,
- encouraging,
- caring,
- observant,
- even-tempered,
- and having a sense of humour.
Along with this, you will gain a knowledge of:
- Child Development,
- working as a team,
- Equal Opportunities,
- First Aid,
- Food Hygiene,
- Child Protection,
- up-to-date legislation,
- activities for children and
- what children like and need.
You will have to work with closely with other adults sometimes from different occupations, for example speech therapists. You will have close contact with parents. For all jobs working with children you will have to undergo a police check.
Ofsted's Standards
All providers who care for children for reward must be registed and inspected by Ofsted's Early Years Directorate. The exceptions to this are Maintained and Independent Nursery Units that are regulated under Ofsted's Standards in Education for Schools.
You, or anyone else working in Early Years settings, must have completed a vetting check. This includes a police check that would determine your suitability to care for or have regular contact with young children.
Ofsted currently require that 50% of staff working in a childcare setting have a relevant childcare qualification. There are plans to increase this to 75%. For further information on the relevance of historic childcare qualifications, Training Opportunities has a Qualification Framework.
Age restrictions
Employers prefer employees to be at least 18 before working with children, particularly very young children. But if you are 16 with a real interest in working in this sector you can start by doing an introductory course or work placement organised via your school or college.
You do not have to be young to work in early years, childcare and playwork. Members of all age groups are encouraged, up to retirement age. The Localities and Childcare Team provide induction training and support to all who wish to pursue a career in this sector. If you have the right life skills, experience and ultimately the right qualities to work with children, you are welcomed.
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