Nursery worker

Nursery workers help babies and children up to 5 years old to develop and learn in a safe and supportive setting.

Also known as: Nursery assistant, early years educator, pre-school assistant, playgroup assistant, childcare worker

• Starter salary£16,000 a year
• Experienced£24,000 a year
• Typical hours30 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a nursery worker you could:

• plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
• help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games, singing and storytelling
• take children on outings
• feed and change babies
• keep indoor and outdoor areas clean and safe
• record children's development and share with parents, carers and nursery staff

Working environment

You could work in a nursery.

Your working environment may be physically active.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• 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
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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

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

Courses include:

• childcare
• early years education and care - early years educator
• T Level in Education and Early Years

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine training on the job and time spent with a learning provider.

Find out more about early years apprenticeships .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

Work

You can work as a nursery assistant and learn on the job. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English to start. Your employer may offer you the opportunity to do formal training like an apprenticeship, as your skills develop.

Volunteering

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.

Direct application

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

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Career path and 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.

With further training, you could:

• apply to be a room leader or senior nursery worker
• move into management as a nursery manager
• become an early years teacher

Career tips

You will need a paediatric first aid certificate to work in a nursery.

Guides for this industry

• Health & Social Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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