A guide to childcare training in the UK

Childcare professionals are typically employed in the United Kingdom to look after children from up to eight years old. These careers include early education child care such as nursery nurse, nanny work and home childcare. Read on for a guide to childcare training in the UK.

Nursery nursing

A nursery nurse can sometimes find work with no academic qualifications. Having GCSE in core subjects such as mathematics and English are normally all that are required. A nursery nurse will need to complete an NVQ childcare qualification and some smart vocational training before gaining a work placement. Many nursery nurse candidates in the U.K have to undertake the Council for Awards in Children's Care Diploma course. This course prepares candidates to work in a supervisory role with children in nurseries, schools and hospitals. Applicants do not require educational qualifications but will need to be at least 16 years old and have to complete a CRB disclosure to check their suitability for working with children.

In schools

Applicants can also enrol on a National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development BTEC course. Applicants will gain professional workplace experience working with children in the U.K. up to eight years old in nurseries, primary schools and special educational needs schools. Modules cover a range of childcare areas including children's safety and communication methods. Entry requirements stipulate that candidates must have four GCSE pass grades, which must include English, mathematics and science.There are assessment NVQ training requirements available to you as time goes on in your career.

Training

Candidates wishing to pursue a career as a nursery nurse can also enrol on a NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Applicants must already be working in a nursery or crèche facility or have a definite childcare job secured to be accepted on the course. Applicants to this course will learn a range of childcare skills including managing parent relationships, behaviour management and planning learning activities. These childcare and education child care courses can really benefit your career progression. More senior nursery nurse and child care positions such as managerial roles usually require additional training and extensive experience.

Nanny work

You may also want to consider becoming a nanny. This child service usually involves living and working in someone's home to help to take care of their children, either due to their working commitments or just for extra help. There are a number of nanny courses available but most nanny training takes the form of babysitting for relatives or the childcare that you have experienced with your own children or family members' children.