If you’re looking for a new job or a change in career later in life, that is varied, hand’s on, enormously rewarding and can be flexible around your circumstances, early learning and childcare is an option well worth considering.

ELC could be the career for you if you’re a great communicator, are organised, plus have the energy and enthusiasm to inspire young children at a key stage in their development. If you’re helpful, reliable, approachable, flexible and keen to learn, you’re already demonstrating some of the key skills, qualities and attitudes found in successful ELC professionals!

The early years in a child’s life are crucial in all aspects of their subsequent development and can influence future attainment. In recent years there has been significant investment in training throughout the ELC workforce to ensure the best possible quality of childcare provision to give children the best possible start in life. It’s a very exciting time to be considering a career in this rewarding profession.

There are a range of carer pathways into ELC depending on your interests, ambitions, circumstances and existing experience. You can enter the workforce without any relevant qualifications, as long as you achieve a relevant qualification within a set period of time, so it is worth using our job search tool to explore opportunities in the area. There are also links to further resources and more detail on various training options as below.