Nursery nurses, also known as early years practitioners, provide care and education for babies and children up to five years old. They ensure the children’s daily needs are met, create a safe and supportive environment, and facilitate learning and development through various activities.
Working life
Working as a nursery nurse means you’ll be looking after pre-school age children in NHS Hospitals. As a nursery nurse or a nursery assistant, you’ll work with young patients and their families mostly on children’s wards in hospitals or in the community. Some nursery nurses will also work in hospital nurseries looking after children of NHS staff who are on shift. If you’re a nursery assistant, you’ll work under the supervision of a qualified nursery nurse.
Working as a nursery nurse means that you’ll participate in a variety of different tasks each day and will have a range of responsibilities which could include:
- Meeting Basic needs – Nursery nurses assist with feeding, changing nappies, and other basic hygiene needs of the children they care for.
- Emotional well-being – Nursery nurses provide comfort, security, and a sense of belonging for the children.
- Providing a Safe environment – Nursery nurses ensure the nursery is clean, safe, and stimulating for the children.
- Communication – Nursery nurses communicate effectively with children, parents, and other staff members.
- Providing Educational activities – Nursery nurses plan and implement engaging activities that stimulate learning and development in areas like language, numeracy, and social skills.
- Play-based learning – Nursery nurses utilise play as a primary tool for learning, allowing children to explore and develop at their own pace.
- Observation and assessment – Nursery nurses observe children’s progress and communicate with parents about their development.
- Special needs support – Nursery nurses may work with children who have specific needs, providing tailored support and interventions.
- Record-keeping – Nursery nurses may keep records of children’s attendance, progress, and development.
- Communication with parents – Nursery nurses keep parents informed about their child’s day and progress.
- Staff supervision – Nursery nurses may supervise and support other nursery assistants.
- Health and safety – Nursery nurses follow health and safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of the children in their care
As a nursery nurse or nursery assistant, you’ll work with a wide range of staff members as well as parents and carers. You will come into contact with health play workers, health visitors and midwives and could also work with social workers to plan children’s care.
Requirements
There are no set entry requirements for nursery assistants. Employers expect a good level of literacy and numeracy and may ask for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. Employers may ask for a childcare qualification such as NVQ or BTEC. They usually expect some experience of childcare, which could be voluntary or paid, including experience within the family or babysitting. Apprenticeships in a childcare related role are sometimes available.
Nursery nurses have qualifications in childcare or early years. This could be, for example,
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
- BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
To get onto a childcare course you need GCSEs, including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications.
The Department for Education’s Early Years Qualifications list sets out the qualifications needed at each level of childcare.
Depending on the employer you work for, you may also be able to undertake qualifications in first aid or food hygiene.
Personal characteristics
To work successfully as a nursery nurse, you need to consider your own personal characteristics. You would need to have the following attributes or similar:
- Be interested in working with children
- Be kind and caring
- Have high levels of empathy
- Be able to work as part of a team but also able to use your own initiative
- Be willing to follow procedures and take instruction from senior team members
- Be able to work with all people from various backgrounds with different experiences
- Be willing to work with parents and carers
Skills required
To work successfully as a nursery nurse, you need to consider the skills that you have. You would need to demonstrate the following:
- Be well organised and able to plan your time
- Be caring and kind
- Be health & safety conscious
- Be aware of child protection and safeguarding
- Be able to communicate with a variety of people using different methods
- Be able to successfully demonstrate a good level of IT knowledge
- Have positive customer service skills
Training and development opportunities
When you begin to work as a nursery nurse, you will receive the training you require to be able to undertake the role successfully. You will receive an induction which will introduce you to the department you will be working in, will support you in accessing the IT systems and will ensure you are aware of the policies and procedures you will be required to following in the undertaking of your role. You will also have to complete any statutory and mandatory training that your employer requires such as fire training, data security training and safeguarding.
Depending on the healthcare setting you work for, you may be able to take additional vocational qualifications to support you to develop your knowledge and skills. These could include:
- Food Safety
- Safeguarding qualifications
- Paediatric First Aid
Working as a nursery nurse means that you have to keep your skills up to date and you will have to attend ongoing training on topics such as neurodiversity and inclusion.
Nursery assistants who do not have a childcare qualification will be encouraged to study for an NVQ, certificate or diploma. Both nursery nurses and nursery assistants may be offered the chance to study for further qualifications.
Career development opportunities
Once you have experience of working as a nursery nurse, there are other roles you could progress into. You could lead a team, become a supervisor or develop your career into management. You could also work with a specific group of children such as babies, toddlers or those with a special need.
Nursery assistants can also apply to train as nursery nurses. Nursery nurses and nursery assistants can further develop their skills by becoming a nurse or a midwife with additional training.
Pay and benefits
Nursery nurses usually work around 37.5 hours per week. Depending on the role and the setting you work in, you may be required to work shifts, evenings or weekends.
Nursery nurses in the NHS are paid using the Agenda for Change (AfC) system and Health Records staff will typically start their career on AfC band 2 but with experience, further training and additional qualifications, can progress further up the pay scale.
There are opportunities to work as a nursery nurse outside of the NHS and there are many similar roles in community and private settings where terms and conditions will vary.
Other benefits of working as a nursery nurse in the NHS include access to a pension scheme, health service discounts such as a Blue Light Card and 27 days of annual leave in addition to bank holidays.