How do I become a pre-school teacher/nursery nurse?

[Kendodd]

I want to work in a pre-school as it mirrors school hours rather than a nursery. Can I do on the job training, if so what would that be?

Any advice welcome

[ameliasmama89]

A preschool job as in a nursry that is attached to a school? They are every hard to get come by as they only have one nursery nurse per preschool class. You need a minium of a level 3 in childcare. You can do online courses as well as going to college. Also need a clear CRB. Most job description also state that they want 'an experienced' nursery nurse within a school setting ( it's catch 22, they don't want to give the inexperienced nursery nurse the experience). A friend works in a school office and a place came up in the nursery school. They had 250 plus applications. It's not a very desired school either. Good luck in your job/course search. x

[BackforGood]

Do you have any Childcare qualifications?
IME, you need to be qualified to Level2, or better still to Level3 to even apply.
Different settings use the words pre-school / nursery / playgroup, etc. interchangably.
To become a teacher you need a degree and also QTS (qualified teacher Status).
IME, jobs in schools are MUCH sought after, and they can cherry pick from a wealth of highly qualified / experienced staff.
Oh, and the hours are generally longer than those done by the children.

[ameliasmama89]

backforgood - level 2's will soon be worthless unfortunately. A minium of level 3 to is going to be required to be classed as a nursery nurse. xx

[NomDeClavier]

Level 3 diploma for the children and young people's workforce is the current 'standard' qualification. Unless you go through a college you'll need somewhere to take you on as a placement while doing distance learning, which does give you a foot in the door.

[BackforGood]

Thanks Amelia In my authority you've needed a Level3 for years, but I've read on here in the past that you can have a level2 and 'be committed to studying for your Level3', but it makes a lot of sense that is going / has been phased out now.

[insancerre]

If you have a degree in anything you can apply to do EYTS (used to be called EYPS)
www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/teachers-standards-early-years
you will be a level 6 qualified early years teacher
you will need to do placements in lots of settings and be very committed to gaining experience

[teacherlikesapples]

Nursery teacher hours won't mirror the hours a child is at school. You will need to factor in extra time for meetings, planning, assessment, report writing, displays, talking with parents, setting up, training etc...

You may find some practitioner/educator (NVQ3) roles that have shorter hours.

[Littlefish]

I'm a nursery teacher in a school nursery. I am in school by 8 and leave between 5.30 and 6pm. Definitely not the same hours as the children! The nursery offers not only standard school hours, but also wrap-around hours. This means that the nursery assistants cover the opening hours of 8am to 5pm between them.

I think if you are looking for a job which fits in around school hours, then teaching is definitely not what you should be looking at. Other than the holidays, it is one of the least family friendly jobs around.

[Littlefish]

Good point Sparkle. I'm employed as a "Teacher", not "Nursery Teacher". As such, I could be (and expect to be) moved to other year groups within the school as part of my professional development. This happens to all teachers in my school. One teacher wouldn't be allowed to "block" the moves of others due to their qualification.

[happystory]

You mention preschool? In which case that could be just mornings in term time (terrible pay though). Do you have any connections to local preschools, i. e., where your children attended? They might let you work there whilst studying, some of the childcare courses are mainly online now, though you are connected to a college and have a real life tutor!

[Kendodd]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to meet the manager of a pre-school tomorrow for a chat and look around.

[NewBlueShoesToo]

Have you thought about reception class Teaching Assistant jobs? Still Early Years but would fit in with school times?