Are you interested in a career in childcare?
The following information will be useful if you are looking for a change of career of just starting out after studying. There are lots of options to consider when working in Early Years and Childcare.
Working with children can be demanding and requires a unique set of skills however it is extremely rewarding and can give professionals an immense sense of satisfaction.
Skills you will need
There are a wide range of skills required when working with children or their families:
- Caring nature
- Good communication and listening skills
- Having a good level of spoken and written English
- Being creative
- Problem solving skills
- A positive and friendly approach
- Able to build positive relationships
- Able to work within a team and use own initiative.
Childcare Roles
There are many different career options within Early Years and Childcare, these include:
Working in a home-based environment:
- Childminder
- Childminder Assistant
- Nanny/Home Carer.
Working in a non-domestic setting:
- Early Years Worker (unqualified)
- Early Years Practitioner (Level 2 qualified)
- Early Years Educator (Level 3 qualified)
- Residential Childcare Worker (Level 3 qualified)
- Play Therapist
- Play Worker
- Teaching Assistant
- Pre-School Assistant
- Start Well Family Centre Worker
- Early Years Teacher.
Where You Can Work
There’s a wide range of roles available in early years and childcare. You could build your career in:
- Nurseries
- Pre-schools
- Playgroups
- Primary schools
- Your own home as a registered childminder
What You’ll Do
You’ll play a vital role in children’s early development, helping them learn, grow, and explore the world around them. Your day-to-day might include:
- Delivering structured learning activities
- Encouraging creativity through play
- Supporting physical development and independence
- Adapting learning to suit each child’s individual needs
- Creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment
- Building strong relationships with parents and carers
What You’ll Need
The qualifications and skills required will vary depending on the role. However, most positions will require a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Your employer will guide you on the specific type of check needed before you begin.
Training and Qualifications
You don’t need formal qualifications to begin a career in early years and childcare, but many nurseries and pre-schools require candidates who have them. For certain roles, having an approved qualification is essential.
Gaining new skills and completing a recognised qualification can deepen your understanding and open more opportunities for career progression in this field.
Step into Childcare Taster Sessions
We have developed a FREE 1 day taster session to look at job roles and skills required to work with young children, including awareness of requirements that must be met when working with young children. This session aims to cover the following:
- Supporting child and young person development
- Different job roles available in Early Years
- What is Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Safeguarding Children and Young People
- Children with Special Educational Needs
- Healthy Lifestyle in Early Years.
If you are interested and would like to find out when our next taster session is taking place, please email [email protected].
Continuous Professional Development
Staff working in the early years sector in Wigan can book onto a range of high quality training courses. The costs associated with each course are clearly marked and you will have the opportunity to make your payment directly through the system.
If you have any queries before proceeding please contact us.
Find out more about being a Childminder
Childminders play an essential role in supporting families. They provide childcare for a range of ages, from birth to 17 years of age, offering full or part time places for children under the age of five or breakfast and afterschool and holiday care for school age children.
Childminders work closely with parents and carers to deliver flexible, bespoke care. While many childminders operate from their own homes, they can also work in other settings such as:
- Nurseries
- Church halls
- Classrooms or other areas within a school
Some childminders also offer wraparound care, which includes looking after children before and after school, as well as during school holidays. To find out more information, please visit become a childminder or nanny (external link).
Wigan Council offers bespoke training that will support applicants to develop their skills and knowledge to be able to meet the requirements for Registration as a Childminder.
- Pre-Reg Briefing
- Pre-Reg Business Support Session
- 4 X Understanding the requirements for the EYFS sessions
- Level 2 Safeguarding Children training
- 12 Hour Paediatric First Aid Training
- Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene
- Pre-Reg final briefing
- Application support with home visit.
The Local Authority runs regular information briefings for those interested in becoming a registered childminder. For further information please email the Early Years Team.
What to do next
If you are interested in any of these opportunities please contact us for an information pack and enrol onto the next available course.