Are you thinking about a career in Early Years?
A career in early years education and childcare is highly rewarding and ever changing. If you are interested in finding out more about:
- different job roles
- qualification routes
- latest vacancies in Cornwall
we can help you.
Job Roles
There are a wide range of job roles available in the early years sector under the following categories:
At home:
Childminder
Childminders care for babies, toddlers and children in their own home. They support their learning and development. Our 'becoming a childminder' pages include information on:
Find out about becoming a childminder
In a nursery, pre school or school
Qualified Early Years Practitioner
You’ll need a Level 2 or 3 qualification in Early Years. You will work directly with young children and babies, supporting their learning and development.
Early Years Teacher
You'll need to get early years teacher status (EYTS) and meet the teachers' standards. This is done by completing a course in early years initial teacher training (EYITT).
Early years teacher status qualifies you to teach children up to age 5. If you want to teach older children, or teach in a primary school, you'll usually need to get qualified teacher status (QTS).
Managerial Role
This may be in the form of a manager, deputy manager or room leader and you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of a setting.
Specialist Role
Special Educational Needs and / or Disability Co-ordinators (SENCOs or SENDCOs) ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities, and their families, get the support they require to thrive.
Non-qualified practitioner role
You do not have to be qualified to work with babies and children in an early years setting. Your transferable skills and life experience will be extremely valuable.
Apprenticeships
Open to anyone aged 16 or older. A great stepping stone into full-time work or further study. Early years apprenticeships allow you to gain qualifications while getting paid.
Non educator / housekeeping role
Not every job in an early years setting involves working with babies or children. There are plenty of other very important roles such as cooks and administrators.
Further details on qualifications and job roles can be found at:
Job Search
Search ‘early years’ and apply for the latest jobs below:
Routes into Childcare
There are various qualification routes into early years education and childcare. You can find out more about these on the Early Years Careers website.
- If you already have a qualification.
Find out if it allows you to work in an early years setting and if you can be included in ratios - If you do not have a qualification.
Skills Bootcamps in Early Years are free, flexible, short courses. They will give you the opportunity to build up your skills in childcare
Training
The Department for Education offers free online training in child development.
Find early years child development training opportunities
Support for your Early Years Business
Are you thinking of becoming a childminder or starting up your own nursery?
There are a number of considerations to factor in when running an early years setting.
- How is your business shaping up?
- Do you need extra support?