What is an Early Years Practitioner?

Early years practitioners work primarily with preschoolers, toddlers and babies, overseeing their general and social needs. Typical duties include feeding and changing babies and toddlers and providing daily care.

Many early years practitioners also work closely with preschool children, developing activities and supporting socialisation and educational programmes.

As an early years specialist, you could work as a childminder, nanny or in a nursery school. The job requires a passion for working with children and supporting their development, but it’s also a rewarding role that allows you to watch young people grow and develop.

Roles and responsibilities of an Early Years Practitioner

Your roles and responsibilities as an early years practitioner depend on the children you work with and the setting you work in. For example, some practitioners work with preschool children, while others might offer care to babies and toddlers.

All early years workers must operate under the Childcare Act (2006), while practitioners such as nursery nurses follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework).

Some of the most common responsibilities associated with the early years workforce include:

Catering to day to day physical needs

If you work with babies and toddlers, the role includes toilet learning and changing nappies, while preschool children might require general support with first aid and assistance with feeding.

Some practitioners specialise in supporting children with special educational needs, which can mean providing more specialised duties.

Safeguarding children

Early years practitioners must also closely monitor children and always promote health and safety. However, it also involves identifying potential issues and reporting them to supervisors and local authorities.

Creating and engaging in activities

Pre-school is often seen as a preparation for when children start school. A part of your role is to create educational programmes that teach young people general literacy and numeracy skills. However, there are also opportunities for fun and stimulating activities, such as games and messy play.

Helping children learn vital social skills and grow in confidence is central to ensuring they succeed when they begin school.

Taking responsibility

Many practitioners also have a small group of children they’re directly responsible for (also known as being a key worker). You’ll monitor each child’s progress and maintain records on any behavioural issues or other relevant information.

The information usually goes to the parents, but it’s also crucial when the child starts school, as it details potential issues and highlights their development.

Building relationships

A key part of your role will be building solid relationships with children, ensuring they can trust you and feel secure in your care. Creating age-appropriate activities and focusing on emotional development can help children communicate any problems with you and enjoy their experience.

For example, if a child is struggling at home, they should be able to tell you – as long as there’s a degree of trust.

Communicating with parents

Parents want to know what their child’s doing well and whether there are any issues, so you’ll often need to handle any concerns and provide them with regular updates. Part of the role involves using computers to update records and communicating clearly to children, parents and local authorities.

How to become an Early Years Practitioner?

There are many routes to becoming an early years practitioner, but the rules for nursery nurses changed in 2015. As reported by Nursery World, GCSEs at grades A-C are no longer required to count in the Early Years Level 3 ratios if they hold an EYTS certification.

The main reason is that people with valid certifications learn about providing numeracy and literacy support to children during the course.

However, the new rules also mean that people with a Level 2 certification after 2015 can’t officially be classified as early years educators without a Level 3 qualification.

Another important change is Millie’s Law. In response to the tragic death of Millie Thompson at a nursery school in 2012, all new nursery workers must have paediatric first aid training (GOV.UK).

Numerous learning routes are available, including taking courses at college or enrolling in an apprenticeship.

Mandatory certifications required to be an Early Years Practitioner

The course you should take depends on your career goals and the early years settings in which you’d like to work. A range of job titles fall under the early years practitioner umbrella; some are still available with a Level 2 certification.

Early Years Practitioner Level 2

Gaining a Level 2 qualification can be beneficial if you want a general knowledge of early years care, but it won’t enable you to qualify as a certified practitioner.

However, entry-level nursery assistants can take the CACHE Level 2: Introducing Caring for Children and Young People certificate, an excellent starting point for learning about early care or becoming a childminder.

If you’re interested in becoming a qualified babysitter or nanny, the CACHE Level 2 Award in Babysitting enables you to work with children at home or elsewhere.

Early Years Practitioner Level 3

If you’d like to become an early years practitioner and work in nurseries or pre-schools, you’ll need an accredited Level 3 qualification. The Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (CACHE) or the Early Years Education and Care Diploma are suitable qualifications.

Other popular paths include the Level 3 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, but you need at least 400 hours of professional experience to secure the qualification.

Apprenticeships

Many learners prefer to do an apprenticeship, which gives them hands-on experience in a supportive environment. During the placement, you’ll learn from different professionals and receive supervision from a senior staff member.

The apprentice’s knowledge will be assessed throughout the placement, and qualifications will be awarded upon completion. Most Level 3 apprenticeships last for around 18 months and are ideal if you prefer more practical learning experiences.

You can use the Find Apprenticeship Training website to research different opportunities and funding options.

How to become a successful Early Years Practitioner?

Early years practitioners can work in a range of settings, and there are advanced qualifications available if you want to specialise. However, regardless of where you want to work, you will need an enhanced DBS check, which verifies whether you’re eligible to work with children.

Let’s look at how you can develop your career into different job roles.

Nurseries

Many people start their career with a relevant Level 2 certification, which allows them to work as a nursery assistant. These qualifications are also beneficial if you want a job, as the law requires at least half of nursery workers to hold a certification in one professional setting.

The Level 3 diplomas we mentioned can help you find a job as a qualified nursery nurse, with many people choosing to pursue further training after gaining some experience as an assistant.

If you’d like to become a room supervisor or nursery manager, you can do a Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner, which will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Advanced qualifications

Some early years practitioners also decide to advance their studies and move on to senior roles. The Level 5 Diploma can help you find employment in a range of independent, voluntary and private sectors or serve as an entry point for higher education.

Taking T Level qualifications gives you the equivalent of three A levels if you’d like to specialise in early years education. It can help you on the journey to becoming an early years educator.

As you can see, there are numerous career development opportunities to explore, and being willing to invest in your training can open up doors to more senior roles and responsibilities.

What skills do members of the early years workforce need?

Qualifications are the gold standard for proving your knowledge, but being willing to learn the necessary skills is what ultimately defines your success. Early years practitioners work with young children who need various skills and qualities.

They include:

• Patience: Young children can be challenging, but it’s your job to keep a cool head and approach behavioural issues effectively.
• Empathy: A deep understanding of children in general is great, but an individual child might require more support, and it’s your job to identify that.
• Creativity: Early years practitioners need to make learning a fun experience for young children, so always thinking of new activities that facilitate child development ensures more engagement.
• Communication: Being able to communicate effectively with co-workers and parents ensures you can share information and track the child’s progress.
• Understanding: Young children are still developing their verbal communication skills, so it’s essential to understand how each child communicates and demonstrate skills in helping them diversify their understanding.

What is an average Early Years Practitioner salary in the United Kingdom?

The average salary for early years practitioners in the UK is £21,185, with lower-end earnings at £16,000. However, some practitioners earn up to £26,000 depending on where they work and their experience.

If you take on senior qualifications, you could earn up to £35,000 yearly as an experienced nursery manager (National Careers Service).

Your earnings can also depend on where you work, as different cities differ in hourly rates and annual salaries.

Early Years Practitioner job vacancies at ABLE Staffing

Becoming an early years practitioner can be highly rewarding, and being willing to put time and effort into your career can help you progress into further opportunities. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or are a qualified practitioner, ABLE Staffing can help.

We have a range of early years practitioner jobs available and provide support for our clients. With our professional team ensuring you have unparalleled advice, you can get the career of your dreams.