ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare...

ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare...

by: pinkstar22 - 02-09-07 21:17

Hi everyone, im 22 and im looking to get into childcare.i have my A  levels, but no previous experience in proffesional childcare. I definately do not ant to go back to college fulltime so have decided on an apprenticeship in early years and childcare which will probably be an nvq level 2.

The thing is, I need an employer to take me on full time as an unqualified nursery assistant. I have been looking at independant nurseries, and state primary schools that have nurseries and i was just wondering if any of you have any advice on where i should apply for?

I have heard that state and council run nurseries offer employees a higher wage but maybe a private nursery offers a more training and developmental opportunities? Please help me?!! Thanks very much:-)

by: baby_girl

Hi.

i work in a private day nursery and we do take people on as unqualified nursery assistants and train them either at level 2 or level 3 standard. As you are 22 and you have A levels, you may be able to go directly onto the nvq 3 course, but only the training company will be able to make that decision. As well as doing the nvq courses, there are shorter courses available, i.e. first aid, activity planning. I imagine that this would be the same in a state nursery, as well as a private nursery.

Sorry I am unable to tell you about state nurseries as I haven't had the experience of those

Good luck!

RE: RE: ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare... - 03-09-07 00:58

by: pinkstar22

thanks baby girl!

i contacted my local provider about apprenticeships and they never mentioned that i mite be able to go straight to nvq level 3. i thought even though im 22 with A levels id still have to start with basic nvq level 2 as im a beginner in childcare. ideally i want to work with 4 to 6 year olds as there is more interaction and i prefer that age. will i still need to start out as a nursery assistant and work with young babies to get my foot on the ladder though? thanks!!xx

RE: RE: RE: ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare... - 17-09-07 21:29

by: charley

hi! i'm qualified to level 3 and i went straight into that from the off. i haven't done my level 2. what most training providers do is give you a short test on your literacy, numeracy and some other areas of academia to determine whether you could cope with a level 3 or are best suited to level 2. and no, panic not! you won't have to start with babies! your NVQ will cover all age ranges from 0 to 8 years so you will have the opportunity to work with all age ranges throughout the nursery. when i did mine i had the opportunity to work in state nurseries, schools with key stage 1 and 2 children and a social services family centre! your experience whilst doing your NVQ can be as varied as you want it to be!

by: shezmin

Hi, i am 22 and just graduated from the University of Manchester with a Masters in Chemistry and unfortunatly i dont want to persue a career in this field. I love working with children and am doing some work experience in a nursery and would like to open my own nursery one day. What qualifications do i need to go down this route. Do i need to do the NVQ2 and 3? And what are these changes that people keep talking about that will happen in 2010 to do with having a degree  to open your own nursery, i dont understand?

RE: RE: ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare... - 15-01-08 19:34

by: kimmeko

Go straight for your level 3, if your working whilst doing it, although if you have been working with children it might be better to go onto your foudation stage degree then do your eyp - thats the degree you'll need for nursery owner :D good luck to you its a crazy business just working in one!!!!!!!!

RE: RE: ADVICE PLEASE! looking to start a career in childcare... - 15-01-08 19:34

by: kimmeko

Go straight for your level 3, if your working whilst doing it, although if you have been working with children it might be better to go onto your foudation stage degree then do your eyp - thats the degree you'll need for nursery owner :D good luck to you its a crazy business just working in one!!!!!!!!

by: laineyreidy

Hi all of you,

I work for a training provider and yes if you have no childcare experience then you need to do level 2 and 3. We provide NVQ training on line and you usually it would take up to a year to do level 2 and 18 months to do level 3 - however as you will be doing learning on line you will be able top learn at yourown pace and get them done quicker if you are dedicated. For more information visit www.parenta.com

by: girly-girl

hiya laineyreidy

 can i just ask how can u do an on-line NVQ course? dont you have to have a placement in a childcare setting and have to be observed by an assessor to complete units?

by: laineyreidy

hi girly girl,

yes that is correct. learners are either in placement on employed as a trainee. Assesors also do site visits to assess practice.

It is all the main learning that is done on line.

Hope this answers your question.

by: lilmissme2u

you dont always need to do nvq level 2

your trainer can always give you a mini test on children and then if they think that you need to do the level 2 then they will start you from level 2 but if they think that you a re qualified and will be able to manage level 3 then they will start u there !!

Think about it they are not going to spend their money training you up if they dont have do !!

HOPE THIS HELPS !

by: jodie

where do u wanna work the company i work with do it and they r brilliant for training hope i can help jodie x :)