How to become a Nursery Worker
Nursery workers provide care for small children, typically from six weeks to five years, within a nursery environment or pre-school.
This career path plays a vital role in various aspects of a child’s daily life and development. This includes helping a child develop their social, emotional, educational and practical interactions as well as nurturing and guiding them.
Day to Day Tasks
- plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
- help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games
- take part in singing, role play and storytelling
- take children on outings
- feed and change babies
- observe children and make notes to write reports
- make sure children are safe and well
- speak with parents, carers and other nursery staff
Salary & Working Hours
Depending on where you live and your experience. On average, Nursery workers can earn between £14,000 – £24,000 per year.
Typical working hours for a full-time Nursery worker are between 38-40 hours, and some employers may ask you to work weekends.
Required Qualifications
To start working as a qualified Nursery Worker, you will need a suitable qualification in early years, giving you ‘licence to practice’. One of the most well known and best regarded is the CACHE level 3 diploma – Early Years Educator (for the Early Years Workforce).
It is also desirable to hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate.
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent
- No previous experience is required
- No formal qualifications are required
- You will be required to pass an enhanced background check
Career Progression
There are many opportunities once you have gained experience as a Nursery Worker. Possible progression routes include work your way towards becoming a
- senior nursery worker
- supervisor
- manager
You can also transfer your skills and become a private nanny. The career opportunities are endless.
