How can I get a job in childcare ?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, does anyone know how I would get a job in child care ? I would really like to get a NVQ in childcare but non of the nurseries around here take anyone on who isn't qualified. I have GNVQ's 2+3 in adult care and have been working in care for the last 10 years inc young adults with learning disabilities and autism. I would realy love to change to working with children though. With my experience of care in general, I thought It would be no problem but all the adverts say must have NVQ. I would like to get some experience before I decide to go to college, as I might end up not liking it anyway. Does anyone have any advice, please.

[KatyMac]

Childminding?

Volunteer?

[nannynick]

SureStart Children's Centre - start as a volunteer and see if they will assist you with training. I helped at a local Children's Centre last summer holidays - helping with a playscheme. While I am level3 qualified, other volunteers were not, so could be worth asking your local children's centre.

[mummyloveslucy]

Thanks for that, I couldn't do that much volunteer work as I need the money but would one day a week be enough? If not I'd never see my daughter. Are local primary school is a training school apparently, they have a nursery there. Do you think they'd take me on ?

[nannynick]

Children's Centre would probably welcome unpaid help for just a morning a week. Yes, your local school nursery may be another place to try, you can but ask.

[Scramble]

What about work with older children, they might consider you as qualified witht he GNVQ you have, respite centres, special schools, classroom assitants, The school for autistic children near me employs practitioners and that is the kind of qualifications they look for but they also take unqualified to train up.

For under 5's, you could look at mothers help, or daily nanny positions. But if you want to get into nurseries you will have to cinsider college or a nursery that does training courses.