About Working in Early Years, Childcare and Playwork

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• About Working in Early Years, Childcare and Playwork

There are a number of opportunities available to you including permanent and temporary salaried roles, volunteering or self-employment. There are also opportunities to train and achieve relevant qualifications which link to the various career options.

The Workforce Development Officer (020 8547 6503) will be happy to discuss the options with you either on the phone or face to face.

If you are interested in any vacancies listed on the site, you will need to contact the employer directly. They may ask you to send in a copy of your CV or send you an application form to complete. If you are not immediately successful, do not give up. The vacancy list is regularly updated with new vacancies and you can phone for a copy or access the vacancies on the link shown on the previous page.

• I do not have a qualification and I am applying for a childcare post:
  
  Some settings are prepared to take on unqualified childcare staff. It is important to write down all your relevant experience, for example, baby sitting, playgroup volunteer, Sunday school volunteer, Brownies, Scouts and Guides volunteer. All these count and will help you take the first professional steps into the childcare workforce. Don’t forget, being a parent counts too!
  
  The setting will be looking for people with qualities such as: enthusiasm, a warm and caring manner and an interest in learning about children and their development along with the ability to work as part of team.
   
• I am worried about the interview and the questions I will be asked:
  
  Make contact with the manager of the setting you are applying to and arrange a visit. While you are visiting, you can ask questions and see the provision, which will give you more confidence, and you can ask for advice. If you have been on an introductory course before you apply to work with children, this will give you a good foundation on which to start your career working with children and help you with applying for job vacancies.

Important:

• Remember you must be eligible to work in this country.
• You will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.