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SO YOU WANNA BE A NURSERY NURSE?

30 November 2007

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WHAT QUALIFICATIONS WILL I NEED?

It’s not always necessary to have academic qualifications but is quite useful to have at least 3 GCSEs or equivalent at grades A-C. On top of any of these qualifications you will also need to be cleared to work with children by the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau).

If the academic route has not been available, it is sometimes possible to become a nurse after starting as a nursery assisitant.

The following qualifications allow you to work with children whilst supervised:

• CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and Education
• City and Guilds Level 2 Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education
• BTEC in Early Years Care and Education
• BTEC First Diploma in Early Years
• NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education awarded by CACHE, BTEC or City and Guilds.

The following qualifications allow you to work with children whilst unsupervised:

• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education 
• BTEC National Diploma in Early Years
• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education awarded by CACHE, Edexcel or City and Guilds 
• SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
• HNC in Childcare and Education

WHAT SORT OF QUALITIES WILL I NEED?

Nursery nurses are trusted to give the very best standard of care to children, allowing parents and carers peace of mind when they leave their children in your custody.

• To be able to remain calm at all times
• To be able to love and understand children
• To behave patiently and consistently whilst remaining adaptable
• To be outgoing and able to perform in front of groups of children
• To be observant, imaginative, enthusiastic and lively
• To be able to communicate effectively with parents, children and other nurses
• To be able to work well in a team

WHAT SORT OF HOURS WILL I HAVE TO WORK?

As a lot of nurseries cater for parents who have to work during the day, they often stay open far longer than conventional working hours. However, a lot of nurseries are able to offer a wide variety of shifts, allowing nurses to work either full-time or part time. As with all jobs, nursery nurses need to be committed to their role and always be able to be flexible when it comes to working times and practices.

WHAT WILL I HAVE TO DO AT WORK?

The main responsibilities of a nursery nurse are the physical care, feeding, changing, bathing and dressing of the children. Other duties a nurse will need to perform include sterilising and making up bottles and keeping all equipment clean and tidy. Nurses for older children will need to be able to create activities to help them develop language, literacy and communication skills. They will need to appreciate that children learn through play and be able to keep control whilst using water, paint, clay, dough, mud and toys.

Nursery nurses are also required to stimulate children’s imagination through telling stories, reading books, singing songs, dressing up or using simple computer programmes. Outside of directly working with children, nurses are also required to monitor, evaluate and write reports on the progress of youngsters in their care to ensure they reach their full potential.

WHAT SORT OF MONEY WILL I EARN?
 
The amount you can expect to take home varies radically depending on the level of your qualifications, who you work for and whereabouts you work. Whereas an unqualified nursery assistant is unlikely to be paid more than the standard minimum wage, someone with more experience can expect to earn between £1 and £1.50 more per hour.

Local authorities have a reputation for paying slightly more than private organisations and an experienced full time nursery nurse can earn up to £15,000 a year before moving onto even higher wages for posts such as nursery managers. As with most jobs there is a premium rate for those who work in London because of associated living costs



Training for Nursery and Childcare at all levels including:

- NVQs in Childcare and Education
- NVQs in Children and Young People
- CACHE certificate/diploma
- Foundation Degree in Early Years

Come to Lewisham College and get Skilled for Success

Contact us:
0800 834 545
info@lewisham.ac.uk
www.lewisham.ac.uk

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