Childcare career options

Childcare career options

Completing a qualification in childcare will help you to understand more about your current role and the environment you work in or one that you are likely to encounter should you commence on this career path. The benefits of gaining a childcare qualification include:

• more opportunities for professional development and career progression, such as moving into more senior or specialist roles

 

• a greater sense of confidence in your professional knowledge and skills

, increased satisfaction and fulfilment from your work.  

• facilitating a change to a more rewarding and flexible career in Child care from a previous unfulfilling path. In this situation we can help you to understand the different options and which would be the best training pathway for you to follow.

  It can be possible to work in childcare without a childcare qualification, although more and more roles ask for qualified staff in their job specifications   One of the advantages of participating in further study is that if you discover something that particularly interests you there's likely to be a course or qualification you can undertake to learn more about it. You can therefore specialise within a Childcare career once you have a reasonable grounding having learned the basics of the industry. You may also decide to develop your knowledge and skills further because you'd like to progress to a particular role, such as being a nursery manager, a child-minder, or a special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). There are many other roles available for those with a General qualification such as CACHE qualifications that we can provide and here is an outline of some of these and what you can expect within such roles…   NANNY– Nannies are employed by the parent to look after children in the family home either on a live-in or live-out basis. They should either be qualified childcare professionals (see Qualifications) or should have at least two year's experience caring for children.   Although the exact requirements of a Nanny can very much vary from family to family, a nanny is generally responsible for feeding, washing, clothing, educating and stimulating children. She should provide a safe and loving environment for the child and be expected to plan activities that help the children's learning and development. Nannies are not responsible for general housework or chores, although she should clear up after herself and the children.   Most nannies work a five-day week and once again the hours can be negotiable from job to job. Overtime is often requested by the employers and this can attract a more significant hourly rate than usual to accommodate this. Generally a daily nanny will expect to work no more than ten hours a day and be paid extra for one or two evenings babysitting per week. A live-in nanny will have one or two nights babysitting included in her wage.   A live-in nanny can expect to earn at least £180 per week and more normally £200-£250. A live-out nanny can expect between £250 to £350 per week depending on hours and experience. You are employed formally and are therefore protected under employment law and therefore your rights to sick pay, maternity leave and holiday should all be included in your contract in accordance with employment law.   Overall qualifications are slightly favoured by employers/families that directly recruit nannies as they feel it shows a dedication to a career in childcare rather than just a job they have fallen into.   In the case of a live-in nanny accommodation and lodging included, food bills should be met, within reason, by the family, and if you are asked to drive the family car, all insurance costs will be met by the family. The perks can be advantageous therefore but while it offers the opportunity of being integrated into a family and family house, it can mean you are slightly tied to the job. Also normally, you can walk away after a bad day at work. As a live-in nanny, both you and your employer can't run away. It can mean that at times criticism becomes more emotional than it should.   A live-out nanny the arrangement is much more business-like in the sense that you come and go at a set time every day (more or less). This may suit you if you already have a place to live and would prefer to treat it as a daytime job, with your evenings free (although you will be expected to babysit once or twice a week). This is also a better option if, for example, you find it unsettling to live somewhere different each time you change jobs or if you are living with your partner but remember, you will have all the burdens of rent, household bills and travelling to and from work.   MOTHER'S HELP: Mother's Helps are generally unqualified live-in nannies, working alongside a mother, rather than having sole charge of the children. Mother's helps may work well for parents who work from home or work part-time and want housework and childcare combined. As the mother's help experience increases they may be able to take more responsibility and ultimately sole charge. Some girls start out as mother's helps and gain enough experience to be considered for Nanning posts in their next job. Perfect for a mum who works at home or just needs another pair of hands but doesn't need full days of sole charge care Mother's helps expect to work about ten hours a day. For live-in the two nights babysitting are included in her salary and for live-out it is extra.   Mother's helps earn £150-£200 per week. A mother's help must be at least 18. No formal qualifications are required, but she should have good experience with children. She may have cared for siblings, done regular babysitting or helped out at a local play group.   It can be a great way of starting your childcare career. If you want to become a nanny in the future it can be a good stepping-stone. You might find working as a mother's help inspires you to take a childcare qualification. You do a bit of everything. You are helping the mother in her day-to-day life in every way.   Most mothers' helps are available through agencies – look at our bestbear.co.uk childcare search to find a recommended agency that deals with mother's helps to register with. Alternatively you could place an ad in your local toy shop, post office or playgroup to tap the local grapevine.