How many people work in early years education?
As of 2023, it was estimated in the Childcare and early years providers survey that there are almost 347,300 paid staff working in childcare and early years in England. This includes almost 26,200 temporary staff. Nursery job roles include roles such as early years practitioner, nursery manager, deputy nursery manager and apprentice.
There also remains a gender gap in the early years sector, with women accounting for the vast majority (98%) of paid childcare staff in England in 2023.
When it comes to the age of the early years workforce, 23% of paid childcare staff working for private providers are under 25 years old. Only 12 per cent of paid childcare staff working for private providers are aged over 50.
Staff in a nursery are usually made up of:
- A manager
- A deputy manager
- Room leaders
- Early years practitioners
Nursery manager
Nursery managers are responsible for running the nursery. Generally speaking, nursery managers need a foundation degree or a degree in child development or a related subject. This could include early years education or childhood studies, for example. Many nurseries will also ask for nursery managers to have Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Being a nursery manager is a demanding role with a wide range of responsibilities.
Day-to-day duties include:
- Managing the nursery budget
- Recruiting staff
- Building relationships with parents, staff and other professionals
- Managing records
- Working with colleagues to create a safe and successful environment
- Making sure the premises is safe and secure
- Safeguarding children
The above list is not exhaustive. The duties of a nursery manager are vast, and will differ depending on things like the location and size of the nursery, the children attending, and the current staff.
Deputy nursery manager
The role of a deputy nursery manager is to support the nursery manager across all aspects of their work. They will also be expected to fill in when the nursery manager is away or unable to work. In most settings, a deputy nursery manager will possess a minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification, although some nurseries may ask for additional qualifications.
Room leader
Working as part of the nursery management team, room leaders are responsible for supervising their assigned room in the nursery. This includes delivering care as well as supervising other nursery staff and helping them to carry out their roles.
As well as establishing and maintaining effective relationships with staff members, room leaders are expected to build positive relationships with parents, keeping them up to date with their child’s progress through their time at the nursery.
To be a room leader most nurseries request a Level 3 Qualification in Childcare, as well as proven experience in the role.
Early Years Practitioner
Nursery practitioners are responsible for giving care and support for children during their time at the nursery. This will include supporting children through activities, observing children’s progress, maintaining basic records, and responding to the day-to-day needs of each child, including eating, nappy changing and toileting.
As they gain experience, practitioners may be involved in planning activities as well as delivering them, especially if they are looking to progress their career.
Nursery practitioners will require either a Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare Qualification, depending on their experience and the specific role they are applying for.
Apprentice
Many nurseries offer apprenticeship schemes, giving people who want a career in childcare the chance to become a qualified practitioner by working in the nursery alongside studying for the required qualifications.
Apprentices will be responsible for providing general care to children in the nursery and will be supported by qualified practitioners and the management team.
How much apprentices are paid depends on their age and the length of the apprenticeship.
The National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice aged under 19 is £6.40 per hour.
Over 19s who have completed their first year are then entitled to National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.
The specific rate of pay can also depend on the type of apprenticeship the person is enrolled onto, their age, location, and the nursery itself.
Once they finish their apprenticeship, apprentices will become qualified practitioners. Parents and families generally shouldn’t see much of a difference between practitioners and apprentices, and the nursery should never let this affect the quality of care they are providing.
Apprentices may need to be supervised during specific tasks as part of their role until they have the required qualifications and experience, but there should be a sufficient team of qualified staff to guide them through this and to ensure the quality of care remains the same.
Related Articles
