What Qualifications?

Question

do you need to work in a nursery, and is it possible to study for these whilst in work, or do you need to get the qualification first?

I'm 26 if that helps!?

Answer 1

In order to receive a qualification in Early years you will definitely need to be working with children so that you can complete your assignments.

Depending on you past experience and qualifications will depend on what level you will study at.

If you already have a degree (in any subject) then you can do extra study to get and Early Years Professional Status this would also qualify you to be a reception class teacher.

I went into Early years work when I was 26 I had already done some past teacher training and I had my own children and I started out with  a level 3 qualification you need this to be a manager in the group.  My employees had to start at level two although they had their own children they did not have enough experience to go straight in to level three.

There are many different routes to complete your qualification you can do NVQ CACHE or APEL.

I did CACHE and so did two of my employees for level two you go to college one evening per week for a year it is assignment based.  I did a day release on a fast track for a year and a half for level 3 usually it takes two years.  This is again assignment based.

Another of my employees is doing an NVQ level 2 which is observations by an assessor plus written work and will take her 2 years to complete.  NVQs Assessors have lots of settings they need to go to and her tutor expects her to cover an awful lot of work in one two and a half hour session.  personally think an CACHE qualification is much better and you learn more.

There are many different places you can work too there are pre-schools day nurseries and nurseries attached to schools and specialised ones such as montessori.  All will have a different way of doing things but if receiving nursery funding all with use the Foundation stage and birth to three matters.

Good luck it is a fun and rewarding job and I wouldn't swap it for the world

Answer 2

It varies a little from state to state but here is what we need in my state and it is a good basic idea of what most states require:  You can work as a aid in a classroom while you are working on getting certified  1. You need to take a child development class and a 3credit class in early childhood education ( There are often 3 or 4 classes to choose from)   2.  you need to student teach for three months in a preschool classroom and have at least 12 hours a week in the classroom for the duration of the 3 months.

Hope this helps.  I would look up some of the local education colleges in you area and talk to someone there or you can call a nursery school in your area and talk to the director.

Answer 3

Most nurseries will accept you as an unqualified assistant. They will expect you to study (although it's not exactly hard) for GNVQs in child care while you are working.

Answer 4

NVQ2 Childcare and Education is usually the least you'll need to work in childcare. You'll probably have to be a student worker (unpaid) unless the setting accepts you as worker.

If you have experience and Alevels or equivilent that you may be able to start at an NVQ3 in which most places will employee you as a trainee(depends on settings policy).

An NVQ is a mixture of on the job experience and studying.

Speak to your local college or YMCA, they often do "Mature student" courses in afternoons and evenings so you can work.

There are other courses such as BTech's, but I think that as you are 26 you may feel more comfortable on NVQ.

If you write off to preschools/nursery saying you'd like to volunteer as you are interesting in going on a childcare course then they may "sponsor" you or tell you how to get funding.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAnd... try this website it has info on education, careers etc.

PS: To become a nursery nurse you may need extend training such as PGCE, Foundation Degree etc.

Answer 5

yes may too

Answer 6

Yes It always good to study

Answer 7

You can go into childcare as an unqualified assistant, but most nurseries would expect you to have at least a level 2 qualification. You may be able to train whilst working, depending on the setting. You can volunteer and gain a qualification at the same time. Have a look on the cache site, www.cache.org.uk, this will list all the qualifications available, and local centres that you  can contact. Also have a look at the Pre-school Learning Alliance site, www.pre-school.org.uk, as they also offer training opportunities and courses.

Answer 8

You could try a childcare course and get a training allowance and work in a nursery to help you gain experience as part of your training.  At 26 you can apply as a mature student.

Answer 9

depends on the nursery.  phone around and at the same time ask if they will pay the training fees.