Information on Working in a Nursery

If you are looking for a nursery job or a career in childcare, then we will have the right nursery position for you. We have all levels of positions, starting from nursery assistants and nursery nurses, going all the way up to nursery managers and area managers.

If you want to search for nursery positions now, click use the Job Search above.

Working in Nurseries
Nurseries in the UK range in size from the very small (15 children in the nursery) to the large (150 children). Children who attend nurseries are aged mainly from 3 months to 5 years. Nurseries are often split into rooms: the Baby Room normally takes children aged 3 months to 18 months, the Toddler Room takes children aged 18 months to 2.5 years, then the Preschool Room takes children aged 2.5 years to 5 years. Within those rooms, the nurseries are required to have a certain ratio of staff to children depending upon the age of the children. The layout of the nurseries varies enormously depending upon the size of the nursery, and how the nursery is organised. A manager and deputy manager run the nursery, and each Room normally has a Team Leader, who is in charge of that room.

Nursery Workers
Nursery workers work within a team, caring for the children, playing with the children and concentrating on child development and learning. With the babies, they are required to provide a stimulating and safe environment, change their nappies, feed them, keep them clean, and follow their sleep routines. With toddlers upwards, then nursery staff will be required to do all sorts of activities with them, of a fun and educational nature. They will contribute to the planning and organisation of those activities. They will be required to keep them safe, clean and happy. They will be required to communicate with the parents and prepare reports.

Why work in a Nursery?
There are a number of reasons why a job in a nursery could be the right job for you:

Newly Qualified
For many carers coming straight out of college, a position in a nursery helps them to build up their childcare experience, and give them the confidence to go on to other careers in childcare.

Working in a Team
Often nursery workers have chosen to work in a nursery because they enjoy the environment - they prefer to work with people rather than on their own. You have colleagues at the nursery to give you support and help, and with whom you can make new friends.

Diversity
You may not know what age of children you prefer to work with. By working in a nursery, you will have the option of working with a wide range of children.

Set Hours
Nurseries have set hours (normally 40 hours a week Mon-Fri), and therefore you are not going to be asked to stay late (as can often happen as a nanny). If you want to work extra hours, then you can always find work through the parents of the children at the nursery.

Non-driver
If you do not have a driving licence, it can be difficult getting a nanny position, particularly if you live in rural areas. Therefore a nursery may be a better option for you.

Career options
Working in a nursery exposes you to different career options, such as managerial roles, childcare course assessors, teaching positions etc.

To search for nursery positions, click on our Job Search at the top of the screen.