28 Apr Is Nursery Considered Childcare?
The use of the word ‘nursery’ covers a range of group settings in childcare. All nursery settings will offer professional and registered childcare for children up to the age of 5.
- What is the difference between Nursery Schools and Day Nurseries?
- What do you need to open a nursery?
- Who can run a nursery?
- What is a playgroup and how does that compare with pre-schools?
- Which qualifications are needed to start a career in childcare?
What is the difference between Nursery Schools and Day Nurseries?
Most of the settings, for both, are purpose-built and can be part of a larger school site. They both tend to cater for children between 3 and 5.
The main difference is a day nursery will cater for the very young child, as young as 6 weeks and aimed at childcare for working parents. Day nurseries will usually open earlier to accommodate the parents work schedule, some as early as 7am.
What do you need to open a nursery?
Anyone who cares for children under the age of 8 for more than 2 hours a day, in England, must register with Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, a non-ministerial department of the government) unless they are exempt (exemptions can be found in the Early years and childcare registration handbook).
Nurseries can be run by private enterprises, local authorities, voluntary or community groups, schools, educational establishments and employers.
In England, nurseries work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework.
Minimum Standards for Group Childcare Settings
- All day nurseries must adhere to the Department of Health’s Minimum Standards including:
- 50 per cent of staff must have a childcare qualification
- Childcare must be reliable – if one member of staff is ill, others must be available to cover
Who can run a nursery?
A nursery is usually run by a full-time manager. He or she will oversee the staff and all the resources. The manager of a nursery should have an NVQ Level 3 qualification in childcare along with experience in day care.
What is a playgroup and how does that compare with pre-schools?
Playgroups and pre-schools offer care to children aged 2 to 5 years, along with educational sessions, with sessions lasting from two to four hours. These are open during term time, tend to be smaller settings and may have morning and afternoon sessions.
Which qualifications are needed to start a career in childcare?
- Nursery Assistant
- Nursery Nurse / Practitioner
- Room / Team Leader
- Senior Management
Here we have some recognised examples of childcare qualifications for each of the recognised roles within childcare.
Nursery Assistant Qualifications
Requirements: qualifications not necessarily required as the role is supervised.
Courses that can help you progress include:
- CACHE Certificate in Child Care and Education Level 2
- City & Guilds or BTEC Certificate in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- NVQ Children’s Care, Learning and Development Level 2
Nursery Nurse / Practitioner Qualifications
Requirements: Level 2 or Level 3 childcare qualification.
Courses that can help you prepare as a Nursery Nurse include:
- Early Years Care and Education
- Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
- Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- Early Years Care and Education
- Childcare and Education
Room / Team Leader Qualifications
Requirements: generally, Level 3 Diploma in Childcare.
Senior Management
Qualifications: recommended, Level 4 Childcare qualification or above.
Some skills and experience looked for:
- An ability to identify and use relevant methods in complex and non-routine situations.
- Understand health and safety regulations and child wellbeing.
- Offer a child centric approach.
- Create an enabling and positive environment.
Do have a look at our current nursery and childcare Job Board for the latest roles on offer or register your cv or employer interest.