Nursery Worker

Typical Salary

£14,000 To £24,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

weekends on a rota

How To Become a Nursery Worker

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
volunteering
applying directly

College / University

You can take a college course before looking for work in a nursery. Courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Childcare and Education
Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care - Early Years Educator
T level in Education

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this career through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship as an early years practitioner or educator.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You can work as a nursery assistant and learn on the job. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English to start. Experience of working with young children will also help.

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience of working with young children and a qualification in childcare.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

sensitivity and understanding
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work well with others
to be flexible and open to change
excellent verbal communication skills
customer service skills
the ability to understand people’s reactions
active listening skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In this role you may:

plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games
take part in singing, role play and story telling
take children on outings
feed and change babies
observe children and make notes to write reports
make sure children are safe and well
speak with parents, carers and other nursery staff

Working Environment

You could work in a nursery.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

As an experienced nursery worker you could specialise in working with children who have difficulties with learning, physical disabilities, or need support with their mental health.

You could take a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification to progress to room leader, senior nursery worker or centre manager.

You could also study towards a higher education qualification in early years or child development. You could then move into management or early years teaching.

Volunteering Opportunities

You can get experience by volunteering at a local nursery group or after school club. This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You'll find advice on careers and courses in childcare from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years and the National Day Nurseries Association.

You can also get more information on this career from the early years career progression map.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks