Our Programs
Childcare & Early YearsWhat is childcare and early years?
Childcare and early years workers provide care, education and support for children from birth to 16 years in regulated settings. They work with children who have a range of abilities and needs, providing learning and play opportunities. Care can be provided in a variety of settings including nurseries, pre-school facilities, out of school clubs, in a person’s own home childminding, nannying and in crèches or playgroups. Quality childcare and early years provision can help children achieve their full potential, can support parents and families and are important for children, helping them develop valuable skills for school and life.
The Children
Childcare work is often demanding, but it is very rewarding. It requires a range of personal qualities such as an enthusiasm for working with children, an interest in their development and welfare, creativity and imagination, and the ability to support children’s personal rights, dignity and privacy. You will need the ability to deal calmly with children’s behaviour and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. If you have these qualities and want to do something worthwhile, then childcare is the career for you.
The Future
Throughout your career, childcare and early years workers can undertake work-based vocational and professional qualifications and go on to do part-time or full-time degrees. With appropriate training and qualifications, staff can become Supervisors, Managers, open their own business or become Early Years Specialists, Lecturers or Assessors in Childcare.
- Childcare Qualifications and Progression
- SVQ Social Services (Children & Young People) Level 3
- SVQ Social Services (Children & Young People) Level 4
- PDA Childhood Practice
- BA Degree in Childhood Practice
We have provided a quick guide to some of the most frequently asked questions. Please feel free to call us to discuss any concerns you may have.
The Support
At Q. Train you are allocated a dedicated assessor from start to successful completion. If at any point you require additional support, then your assessor is available to give you that extra one to one you might need. We do not stop once you are qualified. If at any time throughout your career you need training or career advice, then just get in touch and we will do our best to give you support or advice on where to go to look for a new job, or even help when writing that all-important CV or job application.
Experience
If you are considering a career in childcare and early years, gaining experience and knowledge of what the work would involve is a good place to start. This could involve a small voluntary placement to try working with children if it is a new area of work. This would enhance your job prospects and offer you the opportunity to find out if working with children would be the right move for you. Working in childcare offers the chance to enter a flexible career with a wide range of settings to choose from, such as:-
- Day Nurseries/Day Care
- Crèches
- Playgroups
- Nursery School
- Pre-school Sessional Care
- After School Clubs
- Breakfast Clubs
- Classroom Assistants
- Learning Support
- Nanny/Home Based Childcare
You can work full-time or part-time to suit your family or other commitments. Whatever area of the workforce you choose, you will be doing a job that makes a difference to the quality of life for children, young people and their families.