NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)

You can do GCSE English and Maths alongside the course. They just need to have Maths and English by the time they finish the course. After that, you’ll need to take a Level 3 childcare qualification, which could be an NCFE CACHE certificate. These include: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education

Having a qualification in childcare ensures you have the knowledge to support children’s learning and development. It also means you have an understanding of what health and safety standards and procedures are involved in the welfare of young children. These courses equip you with the skills needed to teach and prepare children for their next stages of education.

Employers usually prefer if you have experience in childcare, too, whether that’s voluntary or paid, such as babysitting or an apprenticeship, although this isn’t an essential requirement to become a nursery nurse. However, when applying for a nursery nurse role, you will need to have a background DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Once employed, you’ll still be expected to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date, attending training on specific topics and learning about the latest government guidance. Nursery nursing is a career that involves continual professional development, which means there is also opportunity for career advancement.

Whilst most nursery nurses will work in a preschool, day care, or nursery, they may also find employment in other public services, such as hospitals, schools, charities or family centres. In all settings, their daily job involves caring for young children from all backgrounds. However, working with children is an incredibly varied and unpredictable job, as each day presents different situations and challenges.

Typically, a nursery nurse will work between 38-40 hours a week, overseeing and maintaining a child-friendly environment, whilst organising activities for learning and entertainment. On top of their daily duties, it’s important that a nursery nurse observes all children, not just as a matter of safety, but to keep a record of each child to inform their parents or carers of their day. This falls under relevant admin and paperwork tasks expected of professionals working in childcare.

Each day, nursery nurses ensure that the essentials are covered: young children need feeding suitable meals at lunchtime and given snacks and drinks throughout the day. They need help going to the toilet or assistance with toilet training and nappy changing. They may also need regular breaks, naps and medication. It’s the responsibility of a nursery nurse to stay on top of these things so that each child’s individual needs are met. That also means cleaning regularly and keeping the nursery tidy and organised. By doing all the above, nursery nurses also teach children basic life skills in hygiene and manners.

During the course of this Ofsted approved qualification, you’ll learn how to meet all of the physical, social, and emotional needs of children ages 0-5, whilst also gaining knowledge of how best to work with children aged 5-7. You’ll explore how to support a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise, how to promote children’s speech and language skills, as well as gain other vital knowledge regarding safeguarding and health and safety legislation.

Nursery nurse
Children’s centre worker
Early years educator
Early years teacher
Private nanny
Childminder
Playschool attendant
To begin your new career journey, all you need is this qualification and your English and maths level 2 qualifications. With both of these in your pocket, you’ll be included in the level 3 staff to child ratio in childcare settings.

Nursery nurses get to work in a fast-paced, creative, and inspiring environment all day, every day. This creates a strong sense of purpose and achievement; being a nursery nurse is personally rewarding because you get to see the fruit of your efforts as you watch young children grow and flourish. This doesn’t go unnoticed, either, because as a nursery nurse, you’ll often receive appreciation from parents – a reminder of the real difference you’re to children’s lives and whole families, too. Another benefit of being a nursery nurse is the working hours, which are generally flexible and can be full or part-time, depending on your employer’s requirements. Working in early years also means there are many opportunities for career progression, specialising in different age groups, subjects or special needs.