Jobs

Print friendly version

Send to a friend

SO YOU WANNA BE A NURSERY NURSE?

30 November 2007

Sponsored by

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: