Nursery worker

Alternative titles for this job include Nursery assistant, early years educator, pre-school assistant, playgroup assistant, childcare worker

Nursery workers help babies and children up to 5 years old to develop and learn in a safe and supportive setting.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

30 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm on a rota

Meet Tayyiba and Laura

Tayyiba and Laura use their communication skills every day to work with children, staff and parents.

1 minute 35 second watch

View transcript

Laura: Hi, I'm Laura.

Tayyiba: And I'm Tayyiba.

Laura: We are nursery workers at Kids Planet Woodside. When I was 18, I started an apprentice[ship]. I've built my way up, obviously developing in different rooms. So I started in pre-school and then I went to toddlers’ room for about a year, and now we're back in pre-school.

The skills that are important whilst working in early years is definitely having the courage to develop every day. So knowing that there may be different stuff that comes up, there may be different stuff that you've not had to do before. New stuff like new learning experiences. Just willing to actually put yourself forward and think, right, this is what I need to learn now.

Tayyiba: Communication is a really big thing as well, and not just the typical communication of how you talk with parents and how you talk with the staff members, but altering your communication to cater to the children's needs as well. You get a bond with both with the child and the parent and talk about how this child is doing, everything they’re learning, the way they’re progressing.

I look back to when I started 3 and a half years ago, and I would have never dreamed that I would have been room senior. Never. I would have literally just thought I was in the corner and I'd be that quiet, shy girl. But I'm not anymore. And that's what this job role does to you. When you’re playing with children, you're so bright and bubbly and it's impossible not to build your confidence up.

To learn about the safeguarding side of things, that's really important. A safe environment where they feel loved and nurtured and they want to be here.

Laura: You’re gaining skills for yourself, not alone just the children. You’re helping supporting parents as well. There's so many stuff that you gain from this job.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Nursery worker

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• volunteering
• applying directly

College

You can take a college course before looking for work in a nursery.

Courses include:

• childcare
• early years education and care - early years educator
• T Level in Education and Early Years

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to T Levels
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine training on the job and time spent with a learning provider.

Find out more about early years apprenticeships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You can work as a nursery assistant and learn on the job. You'll usually need GCSEs in maths and English to start. Your employer may offer you the opportunity to do formal training like an apprenticeship, as your skills develop.

Volunteering

You can get experience by volunteering at a local nursery group or after school club. This may lead into paid work, where you could do training on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs in a nursery if you've got experience of working with young children and a qualification in childcare.

More Information

Career tips

A paediatric first aid certificate will be useful but is not essential.

Further information

You can find out more about working in childcare from Early Years Careers and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• active listening skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a nursery worker you could:

• plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking
• help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games, singing and storytelling
• take children on outings
• feed and change babies
• keep indoor and outdoor areas clean and safe
• record children's development and share with parents, carers and nursery staff

Working environment

You could work in a nursery.

Your working environment may be physically active.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

As an experienced nursery worker you could specialise in working with children who have difficulties with learning, physical disabilities, or need support with their mental health.

With further training, you could:

• apply to be a room leader or senior nursery worker
• move into management as a nursery manager
• become an early years teacher

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship

• Wage: £11,648 a year Annually
• Location: MILL HILL, LONDON

Nursery Practitioner Apprenticeship

• Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
• Location: LONDON

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Early Years, Childcare and Education

• Provider: PRIESTLEY COLLEGE
• Start date: 04 September 2025
• Location: Warrington

CACHE Childcare & Education (Early Years Educator) Diploma

• Provider: SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE
• Start date: 01 September 2025
• Location: Solihull

Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Not what you're looking for?

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• Nursery manager
• Early years teacher
• Health play specialist
• Montessori teacher
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