Careers in Childcare

With many opportunities to progress to various levels and a variety of job roles to choose from there has never been a more exciting time to build a career working with children. There is no such thing as a set career path in this sector; you can build a career according to your individual preferences and circumstances.

Building a Career in Childcare

There are three categories of childcare setting that are required to register with HSC Trusts – childminders, full day care and sessional day care.

Childminders are self-employed day care providers who work in their own homes to provide care and play for other people’s children in a family setting. They may offer this service all year round. Childminders are required to register when they look after one or more children aged under twelve for reward on domestic premises.

Approved Home Childcarer - a ‘Home Childcarer’ is a form of approved childcare introduced by the Government to allow parents to have approved childcare in their own home and to claim tax credits against the cost. Approved home childcare is likely to be particularly suitable for shift workers and parents who work outside the traditional Monday to Friday working hours and in some cases, families who have children with disabilities.To become an approved home Childcarer you must:

• be 18 or over;
• have a relevant childcare qualification or have attended an appropriate induction course;
• have first-aid training;
• agree to an enhanced criminal records check which will include a check of the barred lists held by any jurisdiction in the UK and a check of Social Services records.
  

Full day care is care for children under the age of twelve for a continuous period of four hours or more in any day in premises which are not domestic. The children do not necessarily have to attend for more than four hours, and the setting may provide provision for part-day care for children under the age of twelve, but if the facility is open for longer than this, it is defined as a full day care setting.

Sessional day care is defined as day care for children which covers less than a continuous period of four hours in any day and covers crèches, pre-school sessional care, out of school clubs for school aged children (including breakfast clubs) and the Sure Start Developmental Programme for 2-3-year olds. Wraparound care is also covered by the standards on sessional care.

High quality childcare, play opportunities and early education are crucial for young children to get the best possible start in life and working with children can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you love being with children, are dedicated to keeping them safe and happy, and are interested in educating and stimulating them to prepare for later life then a career in childcare could be perfect for you.

Childcare professionals play a vital role in supporting, inspiring and laying the foundation for all-round development in children’s formative years and preparing them for adulthood. The work of childcare professionals has a far-reaching impact. Recognising the importance of play in supporting children’s social and emotional development and creativity, childcare professionals enable children to be resilient and prepare them for the range of transitions in their lives.

Further information on what is involved in working in each of the categories childcare setting can be accessed via the following link :  Different Types of Childcare. 

For information on the different options for entry into a career in working with children, please refer to the section Early Years & Childcare Workforce Profile