A career in early years has never been more exciting

While early years education can sometimes be used as a political talking point, it offers an exciting and diverse career option – whether you’re just starting out or looking for a new challenge. 

Entry points

Training routes within early years offer learners the chance to engage with the subject from entry level to Level 5. For those embarking on their career, there is a range of Level 1 options, such as the Introduction to Early Years Settings and the Diploma in Caring for Children. NCFE has the CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner, the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce, right through to the Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner.

Alternatively, for those considering early years as a career change, there are many flexible qualifications on offer as well. A lot of training providers will cater for part-time provision, so individuals can learn while still in employment – something increasingly important considering the ongoing cost of living crisis.

This means anyone entering the sector with existing academic qualification can find an appropriate starting point. For others coming into early years with relevant experience, such as childminders or nannies, flexible entry routes mean they might be able to transfer prior learning to an existing qualification and top up their CPD. 

T-levels

The first cohort of T-Level students completed their two-year qualification this month. A vocational equivalent to three A-levels, T-levels were introduced in 2020 and are a significant pathway into early years. The childcare and education T-level enables 16 to 19-year-olds to gain the knowledge and skills required to work with children and young people. Students take part in work experience alongside their education, including exploring specialisms in early years, assisting teaching, and supporting and mentoring in educational settings. 

These specialisms are based on employer-led standards, meaning they are up to date, relevant and accurate for the current and future skills needs of the specific sectors. Some T-level students taking the early years occupational specialism will be ready to enter the workforce at Level 3 , while hundreds already have confirmed university places to progress to the next stage in their career. 

As T-levels are still in their infancy, it will be interesting to see how registrations across these occupational specialisms are spread over time. I firmly believe once we begin to gather a significant amount of destination data, we’ll see the positive and tangible impact T-levels are making in education and childcare.

We know increasingly employers are embracing T-levels and creating placement opportunities as a result. From speaking to industry leaders, it’s clear understanding and awareness are growing, and that can only benefit the sector by attracting a more diverse workforce into early years. 

Alternatives to work

Often the perception is that studying an early years qualification leads just to work in a nursery or as home-based provision. However, once learners are qualified at Early Years Practitioner Level 3, the options are endless. 

Entering higher education affords students the opportunity to progress to early years teaching, youthwork, playwork, social work, and early childhood studies. From here, there’s the opportunity to become an assessor, tutor, lecturer, or an early years leader in schools, colleges and universities. That’s before you mention quality or regulatory roles within local authorities. 

For those wanting to specialise in early years, there are a wealth of opportunities as well. From Special Educational Needs Coordinators and Safeguarding Leads to physical activity and nutrition coordinators and Pedagogical Leads. 

Additionally, it is great to see the Department for Education launching the new, funded, National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (Nursery World will be looking at this qualification in more detail as part of its leadership qualifications series this autumn). This will support early years leaders to develop expertise in leading high-quality education and care, as well as in effective staff and organisational management, providing further options for those aspiring to progress in the industry. 

Real-life stories

At NCFE, we have seen learners use our early years qualifications for a range of different reasons, but it’s always interesting to see the unique career paths people take once they’re in the sector. 

After starting as a nursery worker at a local nursery, Jennifer quickly progressed to become a Room Leader. Shortly afterwards, she studied a degree in Education Studies and Early Years and has gone onto roles including Early Years Teacher, nursery manager and senior university lecturer. 

She said: ‘My career has had a lot of highlights, from being asked to deliver a session at an annual conference, to being nominated and shortlisted for an Inspirational Leader Award. I have also had the lovely feeling of being told by Ofsted that the nursery I managed was ‘outstanding’.

‘You should grab the opportunity to enter the sector with both hands. Listen to the experienced practitioners that you work with but make your own decisions and never forget the difference you can make to the young children that you have in your care. There are lots of progression opportunities within the sector for you to build a great career.’

To find out more about early years and childcare at NCFE, visit https://www.ncfe.org.uk/sector-specialisms/early-years-and-childcare/

See Nursery World’s recently updated guide to qualification levels (scroll down the page to the childcare and early years qualifications section https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/careers-training )

Our training today supplement has more on entry points into the sector.