If you enjoy working with children or want to combine a new career with caring for your family, an early years role could be for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is an Early Years Practitioner\u2019s Role? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An Early Years Practitioner is someone who works with young children in any school, nursery, or childcare environment. As an Early Years Practitioner, your roles and responsibilities include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Encouraging early years learning and development, through play and teaching <\/li>
- Creating a secure environment, using imagination to help children to learn <\/li>
- Working with parents to support their children <\/li>
- Enabling children to build their literacy, language<\/strong><\/a> and numeracy skills <\/li>
- Monitoring progress and planning educational games <\/li>
- Putting together activities that will keep the children engaged throughout the day <\/li>
- Helping children get ready for the transition into a classroom environment <\/li>
- Helping children to become more independent when carrying out daily tasks <\/li>
- Creating the right balance between activities and downtime <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Different Types of Early Years Practitioner? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many different roles fit under the umbrella of \u2018early years\u2019, and as more and more parents are going back to work rather than staying at home, there\u2019s never been more demand for childcare. Early years practitioners can work in the following areas: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Years Teacher:<\/strong>\u202fAn Early Years Teacher<\/strong><\/a> works with children aged 3-5. Tasks include planning lessons and activities and\u202fcreating learning resources. You could be working in an infant or primary school, a children\u2019s centre, or a nursery. If you do want to work in a school, you will first need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nanny:<\/strong>\u202fA Nanny looks after other people\u2019s children in their home. You could work as a Nanny only during the day or live in the home of a family whilst caring for their children. As a Nanny, you\u2019ll be responsible for providing meals, planning activities and tasks like keeping toys tidy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Childminder:<\/strong>\u202fChildminders<\/strong><\/a>\u202flook after children at home. Childminding is a varied job, with flexible hours, which could involve looking after under-fives in the day and caring for older children when they aren\u2019t at school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pre-School Assistant<\/strong>:\u202fPre-schools are often attached to schools, whereas nurseries are likely to be privately run. They usually cater for older children and have a more educational focus which helps to prepare the children for school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working in a nursery:<\/strong>\u202fNurseries can be run by councils, privately, or in schools, colleges or businesses. Qualifications are essential to building a career in a nursery environment. In a group, a manager<\/strong><\/a> must hold at least a\u202fLevel 3 qualification\u202fand at least half of all other early years childcare staff must hold a Level 2 qualification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Teaching](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Teaching-English-as-a-Foreign-Language-TEFL-.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Skills Do You Need to Work in Early Years Education? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you plan to secure a career in\u202fearly years education, you will need to have certain skills and personal traits<\/strong><\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Committed to working with children:<\/strong>\u202fWorking with children is not for everyone, so if you plan to work in early years education, you must enjoy the company of children and be dedicated to child development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patient:<\/strong>\u202fWorking in early years settings, you must be equipped to deal with children misbehaving and having tantrums. Early years practitioners must also have the patience to handle these situations calmly and effectively, without getting angry or wound up.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In touch with your inner child:<\/strong>\u202fThose who work with young children<\/strong><\/a> in early years jobs have to be able to see the world through a child\u2019s eyes. Willingness to get involved with messy activities like sticking and painting is essential. Imagination and silliness will also come in handy. \u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative:<\/strong>\u202fEarly years practitioners must have lots of ideas and strategies to make learning fun. Creatively thought-out lessons and activity plans will help you to communicate your thoughts in a simple way that children can understand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personable:<\/strong>\u202fBuilding positive relationships with parents is something that you\u2019ll need to be good at too for early years jobs. By communicating and working together, you can make sure a child is happy, healthy and gets all the support they need, both from you and at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which Course Will You Need to Study with Stonebridge? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Competition can be high for early years jobs, so getting a qualification will make you stand out against other applicants, and it will look great on your CV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As parents want their children to learn as well as play, nurseries and schools are now looking for better-qualified early years practitioners to give children a more educational experience.\u202fThe Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)<\/strong><\/a>\u202fcourse will provide you with the skills you need to deliver education in a fun and child-friendly way.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the Course <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
This qualification will teach you all about the early years framework<\/strong><\/a>, so you learn how to help children learn and develop effectively. You can study this early years education course online, because Stonebridge Associated College<\/strong> is a distance learning course provider, so you don\u2019t need to physically attend a college. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means you can fit your early years education studies around your life; it\u2019s completely flexible, and there\u2019s no pressure to rush assignments. You can even pay for your remote early years course in stages as our payment plans help make course fees more manageable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tutor will visit you in a work setting several times during the early years course. Once the course is finished, you\u2019ll have 300 hours of experience working with babies, toddlers, and pre-school children. You will also have the theoretical knowledge to complement your practical abilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Other Related Courses Do We Offer? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your ambitions, you may choose to study different early years courses<\/strong><\/a>. For example, if you want to be a Nursery Nurse, you would probably be more likely to study towards an RQF qualification. However, if you wanted to be an Early Years Teacher in a primary school, an Access to HE Diploma would help you get into university where you could begin working towards your degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a list of the other early years education-related courses we offer: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Children and Young People\u2019s Workforce Early Learning and Childcare Level 3<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- Parenting Skills in the Early Years Course<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- Access to Higher Education Diploma (Education)<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong> <\/li>
- Diploma in Playwork CACHE Level 3 (RQF) (NVQ)<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- Preparing to Work in Home Based Childcare CACHE Award Level 3 (RQF)<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- Child Minder (CACHE Level 3)<\/strong><\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Teaching](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/What-Jobs-are-there-in-the-Education-Field.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Will You Need to Do After the Course? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have completed your Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator), there are certain steps you need to take to secure Early Years Teacher jobs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apply For an Appropriate Role as an Early Years Practitioner <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You need to make a good impression when you apply for a job as an Early Years Practitioner<\/strong><\/a>. Make sure you use an email address that looks professional and check that all of your contact details are up to date. Get a friend or family member to check your spelling and grammar. If it\u2019s been a long time since you wrote a\u202fCV, you should also look online for templates to help you out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to include all the experience you have, even if you don\u2019t think it counts towards early years employment opportunities. Helping out on a school trip, or babysitting is relevant experience, also include any voluntary experience you have and remember to sell yourself and make the most of your skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may not have as much experience as someone else, but you might be more creative, or better at organisation. Make sure each cover letter you use for early years jobs explains why you want the job and don\u2019t send out the same letter to every early years job opening. You can look for jobs on sites including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- www.indeed.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- www.jobs.theguardian.com<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- www.eteach.com\/early-years-jobs<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- www.nurseryworldjobs.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Attend A Job Interview <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Once you have an\u202finterview<\/strong><\/a>\u202fsecured for an Early Years Practitioner role, you need to prepare. It can help talking to a friend or family member who already works as an Early Years Practitioner and finding out what kind of questions you should expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also have a look online and on internet forums, to see if there are any common experiences or things you can learn from. Don\u2019t forget to do your research. Think about why you want the job and what makes the organisation a great place to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day, always arrive early, in case you are delayed, or get lost on your way. Dress smartly and simply. Don\u2019t wear too much make-up or jewellery and make sure your interviewer could picture you working with young children. Ask questions and don\u2019t forget that the Early Years Practitioner position needs to be the right fit for you, so you\u2019re also interviewing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Kind of Salary Can I Earn? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A qualified Early Years Practitioner can earn between \u00a315,000 and \u00a322,000 a year. However, salaries can vary depending on responsibilities. If for example, you go on to become a Teacher<\/strong><\/a>, your earning capabilities are a lot higher, with some staff earning up to \u00a328,000. Furthermore, if you decided to follow the self-employed route and open your own nursery school or childminding business, you could earn a lot more as an Early Years Professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where Can You Take Your Career? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have your early years qualification, you could go on to further training at Level 5 or take a childcare related degree. After working your way up the career ladder in management<\/strong><\/a>, you could get a job as an Area Supervisor, Community Nursery Worker, or manage childcare for an organisation like the NHS. You could also set up your own nursery or cr\u00e8che. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting qualified will open up a range of different career options and with hard work, you\u2019ll find many opportunities for success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Teaching](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Common-Teaching-Assistant-Interview-Questions.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Benefits of Becoming an Early Years Practitioner? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are many advantages of being an Early Years Practitioner. You may decide to do this job because: \u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every day will be different:<\/strong>\u202fWhen you work with children in early years settings, your workdays will be packed with surprises and bursting with new challenges. Unlike a standard office job, you will never be able to complain about being bored! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s rewarding:<\/strong>\u202fWorking as an Early Years Practitioner<\/strong><\/a> is rewarding because you\u2019ll get to see children learn, develop and grow in your care. These developments will be a direct effect of your hard work, what\u2019s more rewarding than that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s flexible:<\/strong>\u202fWhen you work in early years education, hours are often flexible. This is because the hours need to fit around the parents\u2019 schedules. This means that you\u2019ll have a great work-life balance, and you can make sure you put your own family life first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distance Learning Vs. Going to College <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Although it\u2019s been around for a while, distance learning may still seem like a relatively novel concept. Here are the reasons why we think it\u2019s better than traditional classroom-based learning: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are no classes:<\/strong>\u202fWhen you choose to embark on a\u202fdistance learning course<\/strong><\/a>, you do not have any classes to attend. You are simply provided with all the materials you need, and you can choose how, when and where you want to study them. This saves time rushing to and from college. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students set their own pace:<\/strong>\u202fEvery student is different; some work quickly and some work slowly. In a classroom environment, everyone is pressured to move at the same pace. However, those who choose distance learning are free to make their own rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your home is your office:<\/strong>\u202fStudying automatically doesn\u2019t feel as taxing if you\u2019re doing it from your bed, with a cup of tea, snuggled up in your pyjamas. Or maybe you\u2019re in the garden, enjoying the sun. Whatever the case,\u202fbeing at home rules<\/strong><\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You become an independent worker:<\/strong>\u202fWhen students study from home, without the strict guidance of a Teacher, they become much more independent learners. This independence will be useful in future careers and will also be invaluable if students decide to go to university. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get Started Today! <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re interested in a fantastic new career that makes a difference every day in the lives of the next generation, consider becoming an Early Years Practitioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can help children come to understand the world around them and build the emotional resilience needed for life day to day. What\u2019s more, becoming an Early Years Practitioner will give you flexibility in your career and varied job opportunities to pursue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stonebridge Associated Colleges<\/strong><\/a> is a leading UK distance learning provider, with a host of education-related courses that will put the wheels in motion on your new career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about how you can get qualified for these roles by speaking to one of our Course Executives today! Call them now on\u202f0121 392 8288<\/strong><\/a>, reach us\u202fonline<\/strong><\/a>, or learn more by clicking below!\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Early](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Early-Years-Practitioner-Course.jpg\")
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- www.jobs.theguardian.com<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>
- Parenting Skills in the Early Years Course<\/strong><\/a> <\/li>