Careers in early years

Having higher qualifications is great when it comes to job opportunities and careers within the early years’ sector. With a degree in early years you can work in a variety of settings which include:

• Private nurseries
• Community centres
• Schools/ preschools
• Care homes

Whilst those listed above are just some of the settings people can work in, there are many directions within early years people go into. Not everybody wants to work in a nursery or a primary/ secondary school so people may take the route into:

• Private Nannying
• Management
• Social worker
• Youth worker
• Family support worker
• Counsellor
• Speech and language therapist
• Child psychologist
• Teaching assistant
• Learning mentor
• Initial teacher training
• Community development worker

Several of the above roles will require further studies! There are many jobs within early years and you may wish to change your career path later down the line, which is fine, as you have a degree and lots of experience from previous roles and duties.

I started university wanting to open my own nursery and complete my teacher training, however my career path has changed already and I have decided to carry on with my education and gain higher qualifications by completing my Masters and hopefully get a job as a private nanny. After a few years and having experience I would like to then open my nursery and potentially in the future do my teacher training, if I wish.