Starting your career in early years and childcare
There are many ways to start or develop a rewarding career in early years and childcare. Whether you are exploring entry-level positions, specialist roles, leadership opportunities, or self-employment, there are a wide range of pathways available to suit your interests, skills and career aspirations.
Explore careers in early years and childcare
A career in early years and childcare can offer a variety of flexible working opportunities, including full-time, part-time and term-time roles.
Where could you work?
Opportunities are available across a range of early years and childcare settings, including:
- Day nurseries
- Preschools and playgroups
- Wraparound care settings
- Holiday playschemes
- School nurseries
- Childminding
What roles are available?
Depending on your experience, qualifications and career aspirations, you could work or progress into roles such as:
- Volunteer
- Apprentice
- Early Years Pracitioner
- Early Years Assistant
- Room Leader or Supervisor
- Deputy Manager
- Manager
- Owner of a childcare business
To learn more about the different settings and services, visit our Childcare options webpage.
Gain experience through volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to develop your skills, gain practical experience and learn more about working with children and families. It also gives you valuable, up-to-date experience that you can add to your curriculum vitae (CV).
Contact childcare providers in your local area to find out whether they offer volunteering opportunities. You can also visit Voluntary Action Coventry to explore volunteering opportunities across the city.
Childminding
Childminding is a rewarding career that enables you to provide high-quality childcare and early education in a welcoming, home-from-home environment. Childminders care for small groups of children of different ages and may also offer wraparound care before and after school, as well as childcare during the school holidays.
If you are interested in becoming a childminder, visit our childminding webpage to learn more about the role, registration requirements and the support available to help you get started.
Disclosure checks
People who work directly with children, including those who provide or manage a childcare setting, will require an Enhanced DBS check (DBS)
DBS checks help employers and childcare providers make safer recruitment decisions. The appropriate level of check is based on the responsibilities and activities associated with the role.
Find out more about DBS checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service.