Nursery workers play a vital role in providing care and education for young children. More than 70,000 employees are engaged in nursery work in schools, with many more employed in government-run nurseries and crèches, as well as playgroups, family centres and health centres. Opportunities in this sector exist for nursery nurses, nursery assistants and nursery managers
Nursery nurses and assistants are expected to organise, lead and supervise children’s activities. They interact with children, assist with meals and provide personal care. Managers have much more of a team-leading role and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the facility
Employees in this field generally work between 32 and 40 hours a week, which often involves early starts and sometimes Saturday work. They are required to have a CACHE certificate in child care and education, a City and Guilds Level 2 award in early years care and education or an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in early years care and education. Salaries are in the £10,000 – 14,000 range. More senior positions, which usually require greater experience and a diploma in child care, offer around £15,000 to £20,000.

• Being confident and friendly
• Being kind, warm and loving
• Catering to the physical and emotional needs of a child
• Creativity and imagination
• Having a sense of humour
• Having high levels of energy
• Motivating and listening to children
• Planning and organisation
• Stress management and patience
• Teamwork and initiative

There are no advanced formal educational requirements for being a Nursery worker. However, Nursery care givers must be literate, have numeracy skills and can communicate and understand instruction. Anyone interested in this career can begin as Apprentices and work while they learn.
Some employers will demand that a background check be completed successfully and that basic first aid training be attained. Other courses of study that are helpful include Child Care and Education, Early Education or learning and Development.