Nursery worker
Nursery workers help babies and children up to 5 years old to develop and learn in a safe and supportive setting.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a nursery worker you could:
- plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
- help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games, singing and storytelling
- take children on outings
- feed and change babies
- keep indoor and outdoor areas clean and safe
- record children's development and share with parents, carers and nursery staff
Working environment
You could work in a nursery.
Your working environment may be physically active.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
As an experienced nursery worker you could specialise in working with children who have difficulties with learning, physical disabilities, or need support with their mental health.
With further training, you could:
- apply to be a room leader or senior nursery worker
- move into management as a nursery manager
- become an early years teacher
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- active listening skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- volunteering
- applying directly
You can take a college course before looking for work in a nursery.
Courses include:
- childcare
- early years education and care - early years educator
- T Level in Education and Early Years
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You could apply to do an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
These take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine training on the job and time spent with a learning provider.
Find out more about early years apprenticeships.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You can work as a nursery assistant and learn on the job. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English to start. Your employer may offer you the opportunity to do formal training like an apprenticeship, as your skills develop.
You can get experience by volunteering at a local nursery group or after school club. This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.
You can apply directly for jobs in a nursery if you've got experience of working with young children and a qualification in childcare.
Career tips
A paediatric first aid certificate will be useful but is not essential.
Further information
You can find out more about working in childcare from [Early Years Careers](https://earlyyearscareers.campaign.gov.uk/?utm_source=Website &utm_medium=NCS) and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY).
You can contact Early Years Careers by phone or email to get answers to questions about starting a career in early years education.
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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.