Working in early education and child care

Almost every three and four-year-old in Scotland receives some sort of pre school education in a state or privately run nursery and, with a growing number of parents working, there is an increasing demand for high quality child care that looks set to continue. Workers in early education and child care will begin to register with the Scottish Social Services Council from 2006/7. Click here for more information on registration.

The are lots of job opportunities in this sector. Qualified workers can work with children from birth to five or six years old, usually in local authority or private nurseries, infant and specialist schools and out of school care. They work with children from all backgrounds.

What is early education and child care?

Early education and child care workers provide specialist care and are involved in planning and supervising activities and for monitoring the development of children in their care. You can be responsible for several children in the nursery which means you can build a relationship with the children and parents.

You will also work with parents, nursery and infant teachers, health visitors, social workers, Care Commission officers and other professionals. Working in early education and child care can also involve delivering the pre school curriculum, out of school care and holiday clubs. You can work in a variety of settings and there are opportunities for career progression and development.

Throughout their career, early education and child care workers can continue to undertake professional qualifications and can go on to do part time or full time degrees. There are research, inspection, lecturing and teaching opportunities and workers can become managers or open their own nursery.

Workers in early education and child care will need to:

register with the Scottish Social Services council from 2006/7
be patient and caring
enjoy working in a team
be responsible and mature in outlook
get experience working with children
have an early years qualification
have excellent communication skills.