Working within a nursery's baby room is never boring, but it's quite different from anywhere else. Judith Napier finds out what's so special
As more children are absorbed into school nurseries and reception classes, nurseries are focusing on younger age groups, some taking infants as young as six weeks old. What is it like to actually work in the baby room?
You need an NNEB, HNC or NVQ Level 3 (including baby module) in childcare.
Employers also like to see evidence of baby room experience, perhaps through a student placement. Look in Nursery World or your local press for job vacancies, or contact councils or private nurseries directly.
Average week
Operators vary hugely, from private nurseries to councils and charities. Babies may be placed in nurseries because their parents choose to continue established careers, or perhaps because a young single mother needs time out to complete schooling. But routines everywhere are fairly similar - and definitely baby-led.
Budhill Pre-Five Community Nursery is run by Glasgow City Council. It operates from 8am to 6pm daily, with five children in the baby room who currently range in age from six to 11 months (it takes babies from six weeks to one year).
Lorraine Guthrie works 17.5 hours a week at the nursery. She sets up the baby room with activities and makes up bottles before the first child arrives at 8.30am. There is a morning snack and, as often as possible, an outing to a nearby park or just around the shops. Main activity sessions are at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Lunch, prepared on the premises, is probably the only routine element in the day, but that too is flexible - if a baby is asleep, he's left asleep, and his meal is fetched later.
Then there is quiet time. 'As you sit with one, it's a good time to observe the others,' says Lorraine. 'You might see, for example, that one is starting to outgrow the bouncy chair.' Children may pay visits to other areas such as the sensory room or games hall. Observations are entered daily in books for both staff and parents' benefit.
Margaret Woodford, who works at Bright Beginnings private nursery in Falkirk, which takes infants in its baby room from six weeks until they are walking, confirms the importance of two-way contact with parents. Staff arrive 15 minutes before the nursery's 8am opening to set up. 'Because of this we are available to speak to parents as they arrive,' says Margaret. 'It's like being an honorary grandparent sometimes. We ask about the baby's routine and try to go along with that.'
There is a morning snack of toast and fruit, then perhaps a walk outdoors. Then there might be musical play with rattles, bells, and songs.
Parents provide food for lunch which is from 11.30am to 2pm. This is fitted around a baby's sleep pattern unless parents request staff to limit their baby's sleep. In the afternoon there may be water play or storytelling, and another snack. Parents start arriving after 4pm. Staff complete routine sheets, detailing what the child has done during the day.
At Busy Nought to Fives nursery, on the Wirral, Sue Edwards describes a 7.30am start to ensure the room is warm and bright for the six babies in the staff's care. She looks after babies from three to 14 months.
There is a snack at 9.15am with toast, milk and fresh fruit, then perhaps messy play, or music. There might be a walk with double buggies. Lunch at 11.30am is a two-course meal prepared on the premises. Quiet time is followed by a snack break at 2pm, then painting, home corner play, or dressing-up. Tea is from 3.15pm to 4pm, and parents start arriving thereafter. The nursery closes at 6pm.
Sue says records are an integral part of the routine. 'There are daily reports to parents, and we keep daily records with details of feeds, sleeps and nappy changes. Sleeps in the cot room are monitored every ten minutes and activities are written up.'
Pros and cons
Staff describe baby rooms as busy, but less hectic than other nursery environments. This brings its own rewards, although workers express a certain regret that they cannot use their skills in, say, arts and crafts. They miss the verbal feedback from older children, too. There are usually fewer staff in baby rooms and workers can feel isolated, but staff meetings and visits to other parts of the nursery help.
Lorraine Guthrie says, 'You have a special bond with the babies. And I find it quite a calming room. You never stop, but you can take it at your own pace. But I do miss all the go and the action with older children.'
Margaret Woodford is certain that 'the love you can give to and get back from a baby' is a huge plus.
All reject any suggestion that babies might be boring. Norman Bain, manager of Budhill Pre-Five Community Nursery, says, 'I believe that working in the baby room is by far the most stimulating. Children of this age progress in leaps and bounds.'
Pay and conditions
Private nurseries set their own salaries, which can start from the minimum wage. Baby room staff don't normally earn more than those working with older children. Rates of pay in English local authority nurseries vary widely but can start at 9,500 and go up to 13,000. Council-operated nurseries in Scotland offer APT&C conditions of service, from around 10,500 up to 13,500. Those run in partnership with, for example, charities may have higher scales up to 16,000.
Qualities needed
Endless patience and an obvious love of babies are the prime requirements. You must be a good communicator - tactful and non-judgemental of parents' complex emotions at leaving young babies away from home. And you will also need the imagination to get involved with all the babies and not disregard placid children in favour of loud, demanding ones.
More information
Colleges can advise on specialist modules in baby care.
Organisations offering information on advanced courses include CACHE (01727 847636), the National Early Years Network (020 7607 9573), and the Pre-School Learning Alliance (020 7833 0991)
