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Nursery Nurse training

Nursery Nurse training

If you're interested in becoming a nursery nurse then you might want to find out more about it and where you can train.

What is a nursery nurse?

A nursery nurse works with children from birth to about 7 years old. They can work in a number of different places: nurserys and schools in both private and public sector.
It is possibly to specialise in working with physically or mentally disadvantaged children.

The work covers all aspects of physical care and safety, as well as social and educational development. The activities are varied and can involve cooking, craft, music, computers, reading, as well as more traditional art and crafts like painting and cutting and sticking.
Nursery nurses are responsible for observing children and creating reports for parents on the child's development.
Physical care can include bathing and changing as well as feeding.

The hours of the job can vary - but often involves early starts and late finishes, or even shift work. These working hours of course vary according to where you work.

Nursery Nurse Skills and Interests

To be a nursery nurse you need:

• a warm, caring, patient nature
• good communication skills
• a sense of responsibility
• to be consistent and fair
• a sense of humour
• to be physically fit
• be creative
• an awareness of safety and hygiene
• to be able to work in a team.

What qualifications do you need to be a nursery nurse?

Academic qualifications are not always necessary, but it is useful to have three GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) or equivalent. There are no upper age limits for entry into nursery nursing.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland
The following qualifications are relevant to nursery nursing:

• CACHE Level 2 Certificate/Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education, both available full- or part-time; the level 2 certificate will qualify people to work under supervision
• City & Guilds Level 2 Progression Award in Early Years Care and Education, similar to the CACHE level 2 certificate, this allows the holder to work under supervision
• BTEC National Diploma in Early Years - available full- or part-time and providing a route into nursery nursing or childcare work, and also into professional training for nursing, teaching or social work
• NVQ in Early Years Care and Education at levels 2 to 4 - based on the assessment of students already employed in the sector. Level 4 qualifications are intended for those involved in managerial posts.

Scotland
In Scotland, the usual requirement for working as a nursery nurse is the Scottish Child Care and Education Board's Certificate of Registration. Registration is possible on completion of either a one-year programme of SQA national certificate units plus the one year HNC in Child Care and Education, or a programme of SVQ level 3 units in Early years and Education. Combinations of the two routes are possible.

It is possible to achieve the lower grade of Preliminary Registration, usually through approved programmes of units taken from either the SQA national certificate or SVQ Early Years Care and Education Level 2.

From August 2003, most entrants to nursery nursing in Scotland will begin with a full-time Scottish Group Award Early Years Care and Education (Higher). They may follow this with a one-year full-time HNC in Child Care and Education. In August 2004 this is likely to be followed by a new HNC in Early Years Care and Education. Courses will combine theory and practice and include practical placements in child care establishments.

Some centres offer full-time courses leading to SVQ Early Years Care and Education at levels 2 and 3. Courses usually last two years.

Training

Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (MAPPs) may be available for people aged 16-24.
For details see: MAPPs (England); Skillseekers MAPPs (Scotland); National Traineeships MAPPs (Wales); and MAPPs (Northern Ireland).

Opportunities

Demand for qualified nursery nurses is high in both private and Local Authority nurseries. There are also opportunities for working abroad. Vacancies are advertised in The Lady and Nursery World.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Nursery nurses normally start at £7,500 to £10,400 a year.
Experienced full-time nursery nurses can earn £8,200 to £13,000 a year.
Those employed in senior posts such as nursery management can earn £15,000 to £20,000 a year.

Further information

Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE)
8 Chequer Street
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 3XL
Tel: 01727 847636
(A4 SAE required)
www.cache.org.uk

National Training Organisation for Early Years *
Pilgrims Lodge
Holywell Hill
St Albans
AL1 1ER
Tel: 01727 738300
www.early-years-nto.org.uk

Professional Association of Nursery Nurses
2 St James Court
Friar Gate
Derby
DE1 1BT
Tel: 01332 372337

Scottish Childcare and Education Board
6 Kilnford Crescent
Dundonald
Kilmnock
Ayrshire
KA2 9DW
(SAE required)

* PLEASE NOTE
National Training Organisations (NTOs) ceased to be recognised by the government on 31 March 2002. However, some are continuing to operate in their respective fields. Please contact individual NTOs with queries regarding their current status.

The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is licensing new Sector Skills Councils - charged with boosting skills and productivity in business sectors. For information about Sector Skills Councils, their roles and responsibilities, please visit the Sector Skills Development Agency website: www.ssda.org.uk

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning advisor at the learndirect advice line, call 0800 100 900 or use their online enquiry form.

Qualifying as a Nanny

In Britain, a nanny is a qualified nursery nurse responsible for the day-to-day care of young children. Recognised qualifications are awarded by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) at over 200 local authority colleges and some private institutions (which also offer their own qualifications and are affiliated to the Association of Nursery Training Colleges). In Scotland, the Scottish Nursery Nurses Certificate is awarded by the Scottish Nursery Nurses Board (SNNB) and is available at colleges of further education in Scotland.

Post-certification qualifications are also offered by CACHE, SNNB and the Royal Society of Health.

For a list of institutions offering recognised courses in nursery nursing, prospective students should write to the relevant organisation below, enclosing an International Reply Coupon for return postage:

Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education
8 Chequer Street
Saint Albans
Hertfordshire AL1 3XZ
Tel: 0044 1727 847 636
Fax: 0044 1727 867 609
Email: CACHE@compuserve.com

Scottish Nursery Nurses Board
6 Kilnford Crescent
Dundonald
Kilmarnock
Ayrshire KA2 9DW
Scotland
Tel: 0044 1563 850 057

Association of Nursery Training Colleges
16 Peppard Road
Caversham, Reading
Berkshire RG4 8JZ
Tel: 0044 118 947 1847

Royal Society of Health
RSH House
38 Saint George's Drive
London SW1V 4BH
Tel: 0044 207 630 0171