England: Early years careers

You can work in early education and childcare without an early years qualification. You may have transferable knowledge and skills from previous work, experiences and learning. You could also work as a volunteer.
As an Unqualified Practitioner, you are likely to:

• Work under supervision with experienced practitioners
• Support experienced practitioners to provide care routines and deliver educational play opportunities/activities that enable children to explore and develop
• Provide support to children based on their needs and interact children from a variety of backgrounds
• Observe how each child learns differently, with your support, and how experienced practitioners structure play activities to ensure that learning opportunities are maximised.

As an unqualified practitioner, you will need shorter programmes of learning in areas such as Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, etc. Your employer may present the opportunity for you to take part in Paediatric First Aid training.

If you wish to progress and work towards early years qualifications it is important that you make sure you select the right qualification. The Department for Education stipulates that practitioners working in early years must hold relevant qualifications to do so.

An approved list of early years qualifications from level 2 to degree level has been produced by the department for education to help you to make the right choices. When speaking to either a college/training provider, an apprenticeship provider or a university ask them to confirm that the qualification they are offering will enable you be counted in staffing ratios.

You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List

As an Early Years Practitioner, you will need to hold a level 2 early years qualification or apprenticeship that is counted as full and relevant, this will enable you to be counted in staffing ratios. You can find the list of approved qualifications here Early Years Qualifications List.

When speaking to a college or training provider, or an apprenticeship provider, ask them to confirm that the qualification they are offering will enable you be counted in staffing ratios. A level 2 qualification provides the grounding for understanding how to work effectively with children.
If you are entering employment at this level, by the end of your first three months you will need to have achieved a full Paediatric First Aid Qualification. This qualification is delivered over 12 hours, over a two day period.

As a qualified Practitioner at level 2, in this job you are likely to:

• Understand how to work effectively with children
• Work with room leaders and others to care for and teach small children
• Be involved in planning for children’s development and providing play activities that enable children to explore and develop
• Deal with different kinds of behaviours and requirements as each child is unique
• Have responsibility for some key children, observe how children are developing on a day to day basis, engage with parents at drop off and collection and lead on some activities.

As an Early Years Educator you will need to hold a level 3 childcare qualification or apprenticeship that is counted as full and relevant so you are enable to be counted in staffing ratios. You can find the list of approved qualifications here Early Years Qualifications List.

When speaking to a college or training provider, or an apprenticeship provider, ask them to confirm that the qualification they are offering will enable you be counted in staffing ratios. A level 2 qualification provides the grounding for understanding how to work effectively with children.
If you are entering employment at this level, by the end of your first three months you will need to have achieved a full Paediatric First Aid Qualification. This qualification is delivered over 12 hours, over a two day period.

As an Early Years Educator at level 3, in this job you are likely to:

• Lead on children’s development as you will have more detailed knowledge and experience of children’s developmental stages
• Lead a room or become a manager across the whole setting should you successfully secure a position
• Have key responsibilities in addition to the level 2 role, e.g. liaising with external professionals and parents/carers in the best interests of the child
• Undertake observation and assessment of children and track their progress, and ensure that play opportunities provided are structured to support each individual child’s needs to enable children to explore and develop
• For those working with children aged 3 to 4, the role might also include preparing children for transition to school
• Work with others, often as a supervisor, or even as a mentor to new starters.

As an Early Years Senior Practitioner, you are likely to have an early years qualification to at least level 4, accompanied with a level 5 qualification or Foundation Degree. You will also need to have level 2 English and Maths qualifications, (for example, Functional Skills or GCSEs) and experience of working in an early years setting.

To be counted in staffing ratios, you must ensure that the qualification is counted as full and relevant. You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List. If you already hold a level 3 childcare qualification that is full and relevant this will enable you to practice within the ratios at level 3.

The Early Years Senior Practitioner role may include:

• Working alongside others to provide high quality, early learning environments in an indoor and outdoor setting
• Having specific responsibilities for room leadership and/or safeguarding and SEND
• A key person role with specific responsibility for a group of infants and young children attending the setting
• Work in partnership with parents and carers, as well as other practitioners and professionals
• Plan and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

If you are a Manager, your day-to day tasks may include:

• Managing staff on a day-day basis, including conducting appraisals and target setting
• Taking a lead in ensuring that all paperwork and record keeping meet the required standards
• Recording the progress and achievement of children
• Leading on Ofsted inspections.

To be an early year lead practitioner you would most likely have a level 6 (degree) qualification in early years taken at a university.

This qualification could be an Early Childhood Studies degree that meets the QAA Benchmark Statement, with assessed placements across the 0-2, 3-5 and 5-7 age ranges leading to the award of Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

Course providers will be able to confirm if the programme meets the QAA Benchmark Statement and includes Graduate Practitioner Competencies. You will also need to have relevant Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths.

To be counted in ratio you must ensure that your qualification is counted as full and relevant. You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List.
When reviewing the qualifications list, pay particular attention to the notes column, e.g. the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies notes state that the Early Childhood Studies degree “must be consistent with the QAA subject benchmark statement for ECS (training providers will provide this clarification) and include an element of assessed performance in an early years setting.”

If your qualification is not on this list but you already hold a level 3 early years qualification that is full and relevant you will only be able you to practice within the ratios at level 3.

Your higher-level knowledge and skills means that you will be able to undertake a range of roles in an early years and childcare setting. In larger organisations that deliver early education from more than one site, you may have responsibilities across more than one setting or for the group of settings.

Depending on your experience, you could undertake specific leadership functions in the setting including lead roles in curriculum, safeguarding or SEND. You will receive supervision to enhance your practice and ensure you are accessing relevant professional development.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner role may include:

• Working alongside a senior colleague/an Early Years Teacher leading on planning and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Being a Room Leader
• Working directly with children, families and other professionals
• Recording the progress and achievement of children
• Supervising others, including mentoring students and apprentices
• Managing staff on a day-day basis and carrying out appraisals and target setting as well as promoting high level evidenced-based early years practice
• Lead in ensuring that all paperwork and record keeping meet the required standard.

The Early Years Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is a specialist role and you would most likely have a least a level 3 Early Years full and relevant qualification to operate at this level. You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List.

The role of SENCO is challenging but ultimately, very rewarding. You will be instrumental in identifying a child’s needs at the earliest opportunity and in helping them to access appropriate support. This will make a huge difference to their life chances.

The Early Years SENCO role involves:

• Ensuring all practitioners in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with special educational needs (SEN) and the setting’s approach to identifying and meeting special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Advising and supporting colleagues
• Ensuring parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting
• Liaising with professionals or agencies beyond the setting, such as Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Social Workers.

The role will vary depending on the size, structure and employers requirements in the setting. Further details can be obtained from the Special educational needs and disability code of practice.

See more information on the Early Years SENCO role and qualification.

The Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator (PANCo) leads best practice in physical activity and nutrition within the early years setting. The PANCo acts as the agent for change, leading and championing the health and wellbeing of children, families, and staff supporting the prevention of obesity.

The Early Years PANCO role involves:

• Practical application of knowledge and skills to lead and support positive change within the setting with regard to physical activity and nutrition
• Contribution of information to Ofsted through Early Year Foundation Stage
• Liaison with external Health and Education professionals, i.e. Health Visitors/ Dietician/ Early Years Foundation Stage Assessors
• Providing advice and information for parents and carers – signposting to external health professionals
• Supporting development and provision of evidence based and current information about nutrition and physical activity for staff, children and families
• Knowledge of national recommended guidelines for nutrition and physical activity and ability to work collaboratively with other to lead change to enable best practice guidelines to be met
• Demonstrating leadership skills
• Appreciating the importance of assessing, planning and evaluating current practice around health and well-being
• Role-modelling of best practice.

 You can train to be an Early Years Teacher though a higher education pathway with a university.

To start Early Years Teacher training, you’ll need these qualifications (or to demonstrate an equivalent standard):

• Maths grade 4 (C)
• English grade 4 (C)
• Science grade 4 (C)

Before signing up to study you must ensure that your qualification is counted as full and relevant. You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List.

In this job role you are likely to take the professional lead on the curriculum framework and pedagogical practice in the early years setting. You will be employed in a teaching role with responsibility for leading on and providing high quality early learning environments, as well as working alongside practitioners, parents, and other professionals to improve outcomes for young children. You may have lead roles in safeguarding and SEND and will mentor and support other practitioners, setting high expectations for their practice and ongoing development.

As an Early Years Teacher, your day-to-day tasks may include:

• Curriculum planning and setting goals and expectations that inspire, motivate and challenge all children
• Planning and adapting education and care, taking into account of the needs of all children
• Supporting children’s development and learning through planned play activities and tasks to develop their language, literacy and numeracy skills
• Demonstrating and modelling good practice, encouraging co-operation and promoting positive behaviour
• Safeguarding and welfare of children, making sure children are safe at all times
• Supervising and mentoring other staff, teaching assistants and volunteers.

As well as working with the children, you will:

• Lead on planning, preparation and effective implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which sets out the standards required for education in a children’s nursery setting
• Evaluate the effectiveness of educational provision and practice
• Liaise with parents and carers about their children’s development
  • Monitor children’s progress and identify where additional support may be required
• Organise and attend meetings
• Present engaging training
• Be committed to annual and ongoing professional development.

For information on becoming and early years teacher, read more information here.

You will have at least a level 3 early years qualification and should also have two years post-qualification experience in working in early years education and childcare. To be counted in ratio your level 3 childcare qualification must ensure that your qualification is counted as full and relevant.

You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List.

As a Deputy Manager, your role will include:

• Supporting the Manager to provide inclusive play and learning opportunities for all children attending the setting
• Maintaining a safe, stimulating and enjoyable environment
• Taking joint responsibility for curriculum planning within the setting in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
• Assisting the Manager with tasks such as maintaining staffing levels and monitoring financial performance in the Manager’s absence
• Supporting the Manager in ensuring that staff are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in the setting
• Acting as the safeguarding lead in the absence of the Manager, following the prescribed policy and procedures
• Overseeing the planning, delivery and monitoring of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) in accordance with the children’s learning and developmental needs
• Supporting the Manager to ensure the setting is actively engaged in continuous quality improvement
• Managing other staff on a daily basis as directed by the Manager – including supervising volunteers, students and apprentices on work placement or work experience. This could include acting as a mentor, ensuring new staff are aware of the operational policies and procedures including how to implement and access them.

You will have at least a level 3 early years qualification and should also have two years post-qualification experience in working in early years education and childcare. To be counted in ratio you must ensure that your level 3 childcare qualification is counted as full and relevant.

You can find the list of approved qualifications here: Early Years Qualifications List.

It is important that you demonstrate a sound understanding of child development and children’s needs with an ability to plan and implement the curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

You must be committed and lead the staff team to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. It is your responsibility to ensure all staff share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to promote a culture of safeguarding continuously within your setting.

As a Manager, your role will likely include:

• Setting a clear and ambitious vision for the setting for providing high-quality, inclusive care and education to all. This is realised through strong shared values, policies and practice
• Taking the lead responsibility for the implementation of the setting’s agreed business plan for the management of people, resources and all paperwork
• Ensuring all record keeping meets the required standard, including recording progress and achievement
• Liaise with a range of visiting specialists, such as speech and language therapists or SENCOs
• Develop partnerships with parents, carers and guardians signposting appropriately to meet the needs of the family
• Lead the provision of early years education and childcare to agreed quality standards, reflecting the requirements of the;
  • Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Ofsted inspection, the inspectorate body for early years in line with the Early Years Inspection Framework
  • Child protection and safeguarding legislation, e.g. keeping children safe in education
  • Childcare Act
  • Equality Act
  • Health & Safety regulations and all other relevant legislation
• Take the lead in inspections
• Manage staff on a day-day basis and carry out appraisals and target setting with your staff
• Ensure that you and practitioners receive focused and highly effective professional development.

Managers in more senior positions may also have responsibilities for a number of early years and education sites across a group of nurseries. At this level, managers with oversight across a number of nurseries will be responsible for understanding their role and the roles of the senior staff within each of the nurseries and ensure that these roles are carry this out effectively.

Managers operating across a number of nursery sites at this level will have a clear vision and strategy and hold senior leaders to account for the quality of care and education within their particular setting. They ensure that resources are managed sustainably, effectively and efficiently.