Working in Childcare

Working with Children is one of the most important careers you could choose.

The Kirklees Early Years Service gives you all the information you need to start working in early years and childcare.

There’s never been a better time to work with children. Good quality education and childcare makes a real difference to the lives of children and their families. Many more people are needed in Kirklees to work with children and young people aged up to 14 (or 16 with special educational needs or disabilities).

High quality childcare, play opportunities and early education are crucial for young children. It’s a caring, challenging career. You would play a key role in helping children to develop their skills, increase in confidence and learn by your example of being a positive role model, inspiring young minds

If you have the right blend of skills and personal qualities a job in childcare could be just what you’re looking for. Being part of the children’s workforce is satisfying and worthwhile; a job where you can really see results. Children deserve the best possible start in life and you could help them to achieve this.

What experience and qualifications do you need?

If you're patient and enthusiastic, take responsibility seriously and have a sense of fun, you may have all you need to start your career in childcare or playwork.

For some jobs you can start from scratch. But for most of them it pays to get a qualification. It helps you make the most of your skills and give children your best. After all, you'll play an important role as you watch them develop and grow - socially, physically, creatively and emotionally. And a qualification can help you up the career ladder.

You can train on the job or at college, or combine the two. Some colleges also offer distance learning.

Early years care & education and playwork qualifications are available at different levels, as a rough guide:

• Level 2 for people working under supervision
• Level 3 for people working on their own initiative, planning and organising their own work and supervising others.
• Level 4 for experienced practitioners, for people in managerial roles or for those responsible for quality assurance.

What could you do?

There’s a wide range of career opportunities available in childcare and early education.

• With babies, children or young people
• Working anything from just a few hours a week to more regular part-time or full-time employment
• Working for someone else or setting up your own business, for example an out of school club or childminder.

Nurseries

• Run by voluntary groups, local authorities, private companies or employers for their staff. Nursery classes are attached to some primary schools in Kirklees.
• Usually provide full daycare, education and play fro children up to 5 years old.
• Generally open 8am -6pm weekdays and during school holidays.
• Opportunities to work full-time, part-time or term-time.
• You’d be:-
• Planning and organising stimulating, educational and fun activities
• Taking care of needs such as feeding, washing and sleep
• In a managerial role you’ll be supervising staff and looking after the business side of things.
• For more information visit the National Day Nurseries Association Site www.ndna.org.uk

Pre Schools and Playgroups

• Usually for children aged 2 to 5
• Many are part-time or sessional (morning or afternoon)
• More and more offer longer or full daycare and holiday schemes
• Opportunities to work full time, part time or term time
• You’d be:-
• Planning and providing fun play and educational opportunities
• For more information visit The Pre-School Learning Alliance website for more information www.pre-school.org.uk

Childminding

• For babies and children of all ages
• Self-employed, working usually in your own home but could be in the child’s home
• Opportunities to work flexible hours
• All childminder have to be registered with Ofsted
• You’d be:-
• Caring for individual babies and children up to teenagers
• Offering play opportunities, one-to-one attention and fun activities
• Opportunity to be part of a local support network of childminders where you can meet and exchange advice and news.
• For more information visit the National Childminding Association website www.ncma.org.uk

Playwork

• For 4 to 14 year olds – out of school clubs, breakfast clubs, and holiday playschemes – where children can meet safely, play and sometimes catch up on homework.
• Hours vary according to what services are offered to parents
• Run by voluntary organisations, local authorise, social enterprises, in schools and community centre.
• They offer a range of activities such as sport, drama, arts & crafts and music.
• You’d be:-
• Organising and running activities
• Providing high quality and care
• For more information visit the 4Chilren website www.4children.org.uk

What’s my next step?

Would you like a taster of early years, childcare or playwork before you launch into a new career? Kirklees Early Years Service offers a rolling programme of short courses to give you a better idea of what’s involved.

Making Choices

A fun FREE and informal course which gives an insight into the different aspects of working with children. It’s designed to be flexible and you’ll:-

• Meet local people working in childcare and early years
• Talk with local childcare employers
• Look at different jobs and what they involve
• Find out about training and qualifications
• Look at relevant legislation
• Be given a certificate for attending your making Choices course

Contact Children’s Information Service to book onto a course running in your neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood childcare Course

A 13 week FREE course to give a more in depth knowledge of working with children. You’ll be:-

Contact Children’s Information Service to book onto a course running in your neighbourhood

Childminder Pre Briefing Sessions

KEYS offers a rolling programme of 2 hour FREE childminder pre briefings which give you support and advice on becoming a childminder. Find out information about becoming a childminder.

Contact Children’s Information Service to book onto a pre briefing session in your area.

Creche Workers Bank

Training to Work in Childcare Settings