Schools, early years and childcare

There has never been a better time to work in early years education, childcare and playwork. Government initiatives like the National Childcare Strategy, which aims to provide good quality, affordable and accessible care for children up to the age of 14 years (or 16 years for those with special educational needs) and the availability of help with the cost of childcare (for example, tax credits for working parents to help many less well-off families afford quality childcare) mean that there is a fast-growing demand for childcare and early years education and for the staff to provide them.

Who can do this work?

The government recognises the importance of quality care, education and play and wants to help more people find rewarding job opportunities in these fields, so there are now opportunities for everyone:

• both women and men;
• people from every cultural and ethnic background;
• adults of any age entering or re-entering employment or changing direction.

What about experience and qualifications?

If you have some experience of looking after children, so much the better but it is not an essential requirement and you certainly need not be a parent.

You do need to be enthusiastic, energetic, resourceful, responsible and patient. You should like children and enjoy spending time with them and learning with them.

For some occupations, you will need specific qualifications. For others, no formal qualifications are required. However, if you hold formal qualifications (or are prepared to work for them) there will be more opportunities open to you. If you want to progress to more senior and managerial levels in early education, childcare and playwork, you will certainly need to obtain recognised qualifications as well as relevant experience.

To ensure the quality of early education, care and play, substantial funding is being made available to support investment in staff training, so that employees will be encouraged to acquire and build on relevant qualifications. There has never been a better time to enter a career in childcare and early education.

If you are interested in working in childcare in Medway and would like more information about qualifications and training, please contact the Family Information Service (FIS) using the contact details at the foot of this page.

What are my options?

Childcare and playwork offers lots of options. You can work full or part time, around school hours, only in the school holidays and, if you are childminding, at home when it suits you. You can also work in nurseries, pre-school and playgroups and out-of-school clubs and playschemes.

For further information on childminding and how to become registered, please ask for the childminding pack. For more information about working with children in general, please visit www.childcarecareers.gov.uk.

Medway Early Years and Childcare Service offers an introductory course called Making Choices for those who would like to work with children but are new to the profession. Please contact the FIS to book a place on this popular course.

Job vacancies in childcare

Medway FIS collates a list of job vacancies in childcare within the Medway area. Childcare providers in Medway can advertise job vacancies within their settings (at no cost) with the FIS. These vacancies are advertised on the internet, in the Early Years Bulletin that goes out to all providers in Medway, at the Jobcentre Plus office in Chatham, by Jobsmatch Medway and Medway Council's Temporary Staff Agency.

The FIS also provides a job matching service for both providers and those looking for jobs in childcare by matching applicants’ qualifications to available job vacancies.

For an up-to-date list of job vacancies, you can either phone the service to receive a list, complete an online form or visit www.childcarelink.gov.uk/medway.

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