The early years are the time before a child starts school, and they matter enormously. The people who care for and teach babies, toddlers and young children help shape how those children learn, play and grow. If you love being around little ones and want a job where you can see the difference you make every day, a career in early years could be a wonderful fit.
This part of education includes nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and the early classes in schools. There is a clear path from a first job with no experience all the way up to leading a setting or specialising in early years teaching. This guide explains the main roles, the qualifications, and how to get started.
What early years work involves
Early years staff look after and teach children from birth up to the age of five. The work blends care and learning, because at this age the two go hand in hand. A typical day might include:
- Playing with children in ways that help them learn, since play is how young children develop
- Reading stories, singing songs and encouraging talking
- Helping with meals, nappies, getting dressed and toilet training
- Keeping a close eye on each child's safety and wellbeing
- Noticing how children are developing and gently helping them along
- Working with parents and carers and sharing how their child is getting on
It is active, hands-on work that asks for warmth, patience and a lot of energy. In return, you get to be part of some of the most important years of a child's life.
The main early years roles
There are several roles in early years, and they form a natural ladder you can climb over time.
Nursery assistant or early years assistant
This is often the first step. You support the day-to-day care and play of the children, working as part of a team. Many people start here with little or no experience and learn on the job. Some settings ask for a relevant qualification, while others will help you work towards one.
Early years practitioner or nursery nurse
A practitioner takes on more responsibility, planning activities and keeping records of how children are developing. This role usually expects a recognised early years qualification.
Room leader or senior practitioner
A room leader looks after a particular age group, such as the babies or the toddlers, and leads the small team in that room. It is a natural next step once you have experience and a qualification.
Nursery manager or deputy
Managers run the whole setting. They lead the staff, make sure the nursery meets the rules it must follow, manage the budget, and work with parents. This is a senior role that people grow into over years.
Childminder
A childminder cares for children in their own home. This means running your own small business, and you must register with the relevant body before you can start. It offers independence and flexibility, but also brings responsibility for everything from planning to paperwork.
Qualifications in early years
Early years has a clear system of qualifications, usually described by levels.
- A Level 2 qualification, such as a certificate in an early years or childcare subject, suits people starting out
- A Level 3 qualification, such as a diploma for the early years workforce, is the level many practitioner jobs ask for
- Higher qualifications, including degrees and early years teacher routes, open up senior and specialist roles
You do not need any of these to apply for every job. Plenty of assistant roles welcome people with no qualifications who are willing to learn. A popular way in is an early years apprenticeship, where you work in a nursery, earn a wage, and study for your qualification at the same time.
Early years teacher
There is also a specialist route to becoming an early years teacher, focused on children from birth to five. This is different from becoming a school teacher with qualified teacher status, and it is aimed at people who want to lead practice in early years settings. If working with the very youngest children is your passion, it is worth looking into.
English and maths
Many early years qualifications and jobs expect a good standard of English and maths. For higher level qualifications, you may need GCSEs at grade 4 (an old grade C) or above in these subjects, or to work towards them. If you do not have them yet, do not let that put you off applying for entry-level roles, as you can often gain them alongside the job.
Safeguarding and background checks
Caring for young children means keeping them safe is the most important part of the job. This is called safeguarding, and every early years setting takes it extremely seriously.
Before you start, you will need an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, known as an enhanced DBS. This is a detailed background check that looks at your criminal record and whether you are barred from working with children. Your employer usually arranges it, and childminders arrange their own as part of registering. You will also need references and proof of your right to work in the UK. An old caution does not automatically rule you out, but you must always be honest about your history.
You may also be trained in paediatric first aid, which is first aid for babies and children, as many settings need staff who hold this.
Who thrives in early years
This work suits people who are warm, patient and genuinely enjoy the company of small children. You need to be calm when things get noisy, quick to spot when a child needs help, and happy to spend your day on the floor playing, singing and reading. A sense of fun helps enormously.
It can be tiring, and it asks a lot of you, but few jobs offer the same simple reward of watching a child take a first step, say a first word, or beam with pride at something they have just managed for themselves.
How to get started
If you are new to early years, here is how to begin.
- Look for nursery assistant roles, many of which welcome people with no experience
- Consider an early years apprenticeship so you can earn while you train
- Gain experience by volunteering at a playgroup, parent and toddler group or pre-school
- Build towards a Level 2 and then a Level 3 qualification as you go
Where to find jobs
- GovJobs, where you can browse current early years and education roles
- Individual nursery and pre-school websites and adverts
- Local council websites, which list jobs in school nurseries and council-run settings
- Local noticeboards and community groups, where smaller settings often advertise
When you apply, show your warmth and your understanding that children's safety and happiness come first. Give real examples of times you have cared for or worked with children, even informally. Enthusiasm and reliability count for a great deal in this field.
A note before you apply
This article gives general information about careers in early years. It is not formal careers advice, and the exact qualifications, duties and requirements differ between settings and roles, so always check what each employer asks for.
When you are ready, you can browse current early years and nursery vacancies on GovJobs. To apply for a particular role, follow the link to the setting's own advert, where you will find the full details and the closing date.
