Starting your career in early years
Getting some experience of working in the sector is a good place to start. Experience, whether paid o
r unpaid will enhance your job prospects and give you an opportunity to find out if you would enjoy the job.
You can begin your career in social care without formal qualifications but you must be willing to gain them while you work. If you would like to gain a qualification before you start your career, contact your local college for further information on social care courses.
Scottish colleges contacts (35.37 kB)
There are many opportunities for development and career progression. Workers can continue to undertake professional qualifications and can go on to do part time or full time degrees and higher qualifications. From 2011 managers of day care of children services will need to gain the Childhood Practice award, a level 9 qualification (degree level).
Funding for training
If you are considering doing a course in early education and child care, contact your local college to discuss funding.
Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for course fees or grants. Work based qualifications (SVQs) are usually funded by employers and you can discuss the options directly with them.
Once you are working in the sector there are opportunities for further education and training. The employee development officer for your organisation will be able to give advice.
Got a question? Read our frequently asked questions on social service careers.
Useful websites- Scottish Qualifications Authority - www.sqa.org.uk
- Learning and Teaching Scotland - www.ltscotland.com
- Care Inspectorate - www.careinspectorate.com
- Scottish Out of School Care Network - www.soscn.org
- Children in Scotland - www.childreninscotland.org.uk
- My world of work - myworldofwork.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/work
