Working in a nursery

As a nursery practitioner, you will work as part of team providing a carefully planned, stimulating range of activities through a secure, fun and safe environment. Part of the day will also involve caring for babies' and children's personal needs such as feeding, nappy changing and sleeping.

A key skill required for working in a nursery is the ability to build a relationship with babies, young children and their parents or carers. You will also need to work with other professionals within the nursery, such as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), as well as professionals in the wider community such as speech and language therapists.

As a key person to a group of children you will be required to keep records on children’s development and welfare.

Qualification levels that practitioners must hold to work in the Early Years sector are set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In group settings, the statutory framework states that the manager must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification and at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification. However, in practice many nursery childcare providers employ mostly level 3 practitioners, graduates or Early Years Qualified Teachers to ensure children receive high-quality care and early education.

The Department for Education provides more information about full and relevant qualifications for working in the Early Years.

GCSEs English and Maths

Practitioners completing Level 3 ‘Early Years Educator’ will need to have achieved GCSE’s in English and Maths at grade C or above to be counted in ratios. If the practitioner did not achieve a grade C in English and Maths they can only be counted as a level 2 practitioner.

Practitioners who qualified in a full and relevant qualification before September 2014 do not need a GCSE in English and Maths. However, if they wish to further their qualifications to gain the Early Years Teacher Status they will need English, Maths and Science GCSE at grade C or above.

View further information about local colleges offering early years qualifications.

Children and Young Peoples Workforce Apprenticeships

Some nursery providers take on apprentices to train whilst being employed. You can find apprenticeships on GOV.UK.

The Family Information Service (FIS) hold details of vacancies working in childcare in the early years sector in Southampton. If you have a specific enquiry, contact the staff at Southampton FIS. Our advisors will contact you within five working days.