Nurseries provide all day care for babies and children up to the age of 5. They are generally open from 8.00 am – 6.00pm but some run 7.00 am – 7.00pm or longer. Nurseries are usually open all year round, except for weekends and bank holidays.
There are all kinds of nurseries – some run privately, others by the Local Authority, voluntary or community groups, schools, colleges or employers.
Nursery Assistant
Working as a nursery assistant you would be responsible for planning and organising educational, fun activities as well as taking care of children’s personal needs – for example, meal times and rests. With the help and support offered by Wigan Sure Start and the training and development opportunities available there is the opportunity to move into supervisory and management positions.
As a nursery assistant, you’ll start off in a supervised job role working towards a Level 2 qualification. You could then move on to a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education which would enable you to work unsupervised as a Nursery Nurse or Supervisor. With further experience, you could work as a Nursery Manager or become an advanced practitioner.
What to do next
If you are interested in a career in a nursery you should contact Children’s Workforce Strategy Team on 01942 486251. You will be invited onto a free six week training programme called Step into Childcare which will introduce you to various topics such as:
- The National Care Standards
- How Children Learn
- Safeguarding Children
- Special Educational Needs
- Every Child Matters.
Attendance on this course is needed to qualify for funding onto a level 2 qualification to fit your chosen career pathway.
Qualifications
Vocationally Related Qualifications (Awarding Body)
- Foundation Award in Caring for Children (CACHE)
- Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and Education (CACHE)
- Level 2 Certificate in Pre-school Practice (CACHE)
- Level 2 Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education (C&G)
- Intermediate Certificate in Developing Skills for Working with Children and Young People (NCFE)
- Intermediate Certificate in Developing Skills for Early Years Practice (CACHE)
- Level 2 Certificate in Early Years Practice (CACHE)
- Level 2 BTEC First Diploma in Early Years (EDEXCEL)
Occupational Qualifications (Awarding Body)
- NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education (C&G, CACHE, EDEXCEL,)
- Children's Care Learning and Development Level 2
