Nursery Nurse
Further Information

What is the work like?

Nursery nurses are concerned with the care, education and well-being of babies and young children up to the age of eight. They are qualified to work unsupervised and to take responsibility for the children in their care. Many nursery nurses work in small teams with other adults, but nannies may spend much of their day alone with small children.
Nurses’ duties depend on the age of the children they care for. With babies a lot of the work involves physical care, for example, preparing bottles and baby food, changing nappies, bathing and dressing.
With toddlers, pre-school and older children, nurses still give physical care, but also focus on developing language skills and encouraging exploration of the world through play. Nurses also help children to develop educational skills such as recognition and writing of letters and numbers.
They may sometimes take the children on outings. An important part of their work may also include observing and assessing individual children, and keeping written records.
Nurses also need to develop good relationships with parents, carers or other professionals involved with children, such as health visitors and teachers.
Starting salaries for nursery nurses are around £8,000 - £10,600 a year.

Hours and environment

Working hours may vary as day nurseries stay open past normal working hours to provide a service to parents. Some nannies may work long hours, with early starts and late finishes. A nanny may live in, or work on a daily basis.
It is possible to work part time.
Working with young children can be quite strenuous, and can involve bending, lifting and carrying. Working conditions can be noisy and messy.
Most of the job is indoors, although there may be outdoor tasks when supervising play or taking children on outings and visits.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• Nursery nurses usually start at £8,000 to £10,600 a year.
• Experienced nursery nurses earn £11,000 to £14,800.
• In senior posts they earn between £17,400 and £23,400.

Salaries vary for live-in nannies. They are usually paid more than day nursery workers, and a few, who work long hours and take full responsibility for the children, earn over £20,000.

Skills and personal qualities

Nursery nurses need:

• a warm, caring nature
• patience and adaptability
• the ability to speak clearly and listen carefully
• to understand their responsibilities
• be aware of the social, emotional and educational needs of individual children
• to build good relationships with children, parents and carers
• firmness and consistency
• a sense of humour
• imagination and creativity
• planning, organising and presentation skills
• good physical fitness and stamina
• excellent mental health
• creativity
• an awareness of safety and hygiene
• self-confidence
• to work well in a team.

Interests

It is important to:

• like children
• want to be involved in the social and educational development of those they are responsible for.

Getting in

Nursery nurses can work in a range of settings, including:

• day nurseries
• family centres
• creches
• nursery schools
• hospitals
• private households.

Nursery nurses may work abroad, and there are a number of agencies specialising in finding work for nannies in the UK and overseas. There are also jobs at holiday camps, on cruise liners and in hotels, and it is possible to work for international holiday companies.
The opportunities for nursery nurses are good, as there is an urgent need for qualified childcare staff. There are opportunities for self-employment, running a nursery.
There are vacancies throughout the United Kingdom, advertised in The Lady, The Times Educational Supplement, The Voice, The Guardian and Nursery World, as well as in local newspapers. Vacancies in local authority day nurseries may be advertised on the local government careers website.

Entry for young people

To work with children unsupervised, nursery nurses must have the Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE) Diploma in Child Care and Education or NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, or an equivalent Scottish qualification.
Although academic qualifications are not always necessary to work as a nanny, these accreditations are strongly recommended or required by nannying agencies. A driving licence is also useful.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, people can study for one of the following qualifications:

• CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and Education. This allows individuals to work under supervision. It can be followed by the CACHE Level 3 Diploma or NVQ Level 3.
• City & Guilds Level 2 Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education. This also allows students to work under supervision.
• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education. Many colleges ask for GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) or equivalent qualifications. Students can progress to nursery nurse training courses. This is run at several private colleges.
• NVQ Early Years Care and Education. Some colleges offer full-time courses leading to NVQ Levels 2 and 3. Nursery nurses and assistants in work may work towards NVQ Levels 2, 3 and 4.
• BTEC National Diploma in Early Years. This consists of two years full time or three years part time. Applicants need at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) or equivalent vocational qualifications.
• In Scotland, new qualifications are being developed. Nursery nurses usually need the Scottish Child Care and Education Board's Certificate of Registration (this is likely to change at the end of 2004/05). The current requirements are either:
• a one-year programme of SQA national certificate units, plus the one-year HNC in Child Care and Education, or
• a programme of SVQ Level 3 units in Early Years Education, assessed in the workplace.

It is possible to achieve a lower grade of Preliminary Registration, usually through units from the SQA National Certificate or SVQ Early Years Care and Education, Level 2.

Entry for adults

There are no upper age limits for starting this work.
Mature students in relevant work can study part time for two years for the BTEC National Certificate in Early Years.

Training

Supervised practical training forms an important part of all college-based courses.
Apprentices are trained by their employers and may attend local colleges part time. They work towards NVQ Early Years Care and Education Level 2 or 3 and a technical certificate.
Apprenticeships which may be available in England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact the local Connexions Partnership.
Apprenticeships may be different, depending on where people live. In Scotland they are Skillseekers - contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk for further information; in Wales, Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships - contact Careers Wales www.careerswales.com; and in Northern Ireland, Modern Apprenticeships - contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk.

Getting on

Nursery nurses can progress into nursery management, nursery inspection or registration.
Some set up and run their own nursery, or people with a Diploma in Early Years can train for a related career such as teaching, nursing or social work.

Related jobs

Childminder
Hospital Play Specialist
Nurse
Playworker
Residential Social Worker
School Nurse
School Teacher
Teaching Assistant/Learning Support Assistant
Youth and Community Worker

Further information

Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE), 8 Chequer Street, St Albans AL1 3XZ. 01727 847636. (Please send A4 SAE.) Website: www.cache.org.uk
Early Years National Training Organisation, Pilgrims Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1ER. 01727 738300. Website: www.early-years-nto.org.uk
Northern Ireland Child Minding Association, 16-18 Mill Street, Newtownards BT23 4LU. 028 9181 1015. Website: www.nicma.org
Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association (NIPPA), 6c Wildflower Way, Apollo Road, Belfast BT12 6TA. 028 9066 2825. Website: www.nippa.org
Professional Association of Teachers, 2 St James' Court, Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BT. 01332 372337. Website: www.pat.org.uk
Scottish Child Care and Education Board, Office G4, The APL Estate Office, Stevenston Industrial Estate, Stevenston, Ayrshire KA20 3LR. 01294 470380 (staffed between 9am and 12.30pm).
Local Government Careers. Website: www.lgcareers.com
Working in Childcare,Early Years and Playwork - Website:www.childcarecareers.gov.uk

Further reading

Careers Working with Children and Young People - Kogan Page
Working with young children - Connexions
Magazines/journals:
The Lady
Nursery World
Times Educational Supplement