If you’ve always seen yourself working with children, then choosing to study a child development course may be the right career pathway for you. With plenty of learning options to choose from that are flexible, online and self-paced, you can learn everything you need to know by selecting to study a childcare training course. Browse our introductory child care courses today.
This qualification provides the skills and knowledge needed to manage practise and lead others in adult health and social care provision or in children and young people’s services. It has five pathways – three for adults and two for children and young...
Become a fully qualified Nursery Nurse with this NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) course. The Diploma in Childcare and Education (Early Years Educator) enables learners to gain the knowledge and experience...
The aim of the Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner qualification is to support leadership and management skills in the early years and the knowledge and skills relating to the early years practice. The Early Years Senior Practitione...
Counsellors encourage clients to explore their feelings, understand their situations better and make positive changes to their lives. This course helps you develop these skills with children and young people specifically in mind. All course materials w...
As well as providing an excellent knowledge base in psychology, this bundle is ideal for students who are already working in psychology and want to boost their knowledge, or those who are considering a career in psychology and want to learn more. This...
Psychology is a truly fascinating subject that investigates human behaviour at the levels of the individual and wider society. With this course, you can specialise in a fascinating area of psychology, which is important for social development, childcar...
Ever wondered what inspires the thoughts and actions of those around you, or wished you understood how your child’s mind works? Our Psychology and Child Psychology Level 3 course bundle can help you to delve into this fascinating world and gain a glimp...
The Counselling Children and Adolescents course will equip you with appropriate knowledge aligned to key skills in this valuable subject area. Whether you are looking for a career, or just have an interest in the subject area, you will study the histor...
Studying our Child Psychology Level 3 course will help open your mind to how a child’s mind works. It will help you understand their development stages, teenage years and their wants and needs. You will understand the importance of play in a child’s li...
Childcare jobs are just as the name implies – jobs caring for children. They generally focus on supervision and care for children between the ages of 0-12 but can be extended to older children as well. Childcare in the UK is often delivered in the form of daycare. Although these are the most common channels for childcare in the UK, there are other childcare choices for parents such as babysitting or in-house care. The most important aspect of any childcare position is ensuring that the children are well supervised and safe.
Common types of childcare courses in the UK include:
With many childcare courses available throughout the UK, you have plenty of options to find the right one for you. Options such as a Certificate in Childcare, or a Certificate in Education are a great choice if you are looking to take your first step into the industry.
One popular option is the Certificate in Child Development, which teaches students insights into child behaviour, and helps develop skills necessary to start or supplement a career in childcare. A diploma in childcare is a more specialised course if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the techniques and theories behind childhood development.
Childcare workers are employed in a broad range of services within the childcare industry. Entry-level childcare positions usually work under the supervision of a qualified childcare professional such as a schoolteacher. They may be required to do multiple tasks within a day. However, some childcare workers specialise in a variety of fields in order to move into more senior positions. Some basic tasks that childcare workers may be required to do include: preparation of food, safety monitoring and accident prevention procedures, parental communication if a problem occurs with a child, educating and supporting children in learning activities, monitoring and implementing hygiene procedures and more.
Typically working hours include school hours, however, there may be some additional hours required for a worker in after-school care or over school holiday periods. However, childcare careers are often flexible with their hours and work well for those who have other commitments such as family or higher education needs.
For our guide on becoming a childcare worker, click here.
As the primary duties involve the care of children, integrity and responsibility are key to having a successful childcare career. A genuine desire to help each and every child to develop is necessary. A moderate level of physical fitness can also be desirable in order to keep up with the seemingly endless energy of children.
Another key trait is patience, as it can get frustrating when dealing with all of this energy. The ability to multitask is also paramount in childcare jobs as children often need constant attention, but there are many tasks required aside from this. The final skill is the ability to simply have fun, as children often learn through fun activities.
