Bringing Up Baby and Building a Career in Early Years
The last thing on most new parents’ minds is a career change.However, the sudden change of focus and routines that comes with having a baby means it could be the perfect time to consider something new and a career in Early Years is a great option.
It wasn’t until Aileen Painter had her first child that she realised how fascinating children were. The way they develop and the amazing things they do really grabbed her attention. Although she enjoyed her job as a manager in a London bank, she wanted to do something more fulfilling which would also allow her the flexibility needed to care for her own family. When Aileen’s child was just six months old, she started training to become a childminder and ten years on, she has never looked back. She is now able to have a successful career and still spend quality time with her children, which has always been important to her.
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Aileen said: “Working in Early Years and Childcare is really fulfilling. I feel like I have done a good job when parents thank me for my help and support. It’s so lovely to have a job where you feel valued and truly appreciated.”
People working in Early Years are some of the happiest in any sector. According to research by national charity, 4Children, more than half of Brits go through their working day without smiling yet...........
 85 per cent of those in Early Years and Childcare said their job makes them smile every day.
64.2% of all people thought job satisfaction was more important than financial rewards in their work
40.4% of people thought Early Years (children up to 5) and Childcare (children up to 14) had the greatest job satisfaction
17.2% of people thought Retail had the greatest job satisfaction and 6.6% of people thought Manufacturing had the greatest job satisfaction
“I think that being a childminder is a great career choice which has lots of opportunities for progression. If you treat it like the serious profession it is, you will reap the rewards. Although it can be sad when a child leaves and goes to school, it’s so lovely when you see them a couple of years later, all grown up and with lots of confidence, which I like to think I had a part in building.”
Some people might choose to slow down on their career path when they start a family but not Julie Phillips. The former typist’s career has rocketed since the birth of her children and she is now a playgroup assistant, a crèche worker and a childminder. When Julie quit her job as a typist to start a family she did not want to suppress all of her career ambitions. After speaking to a friend who managed a playgroup, Julie realised working in the Early Years and Childcare sector would offer her ample opportunity to satisfy her desire for career progression whilst allowing her to spend more time with her children, so she enrolled on a course to do a NVQ level two in Early Years and Childcare.
After completing her first NVQ, Julie was qualified to take up a position as a playgroup assistant and as a crèche worker, caring for children aged 0 to 5. Julie enjoys the training side of her job as it allows her to gain a greater insight into the role and so she has now started her NVQ level three in Early Years and Childcare, which she completes at home in her spare time.
Julie feels that her career in Early Years and Childcare has a great deal of variety as she works with three entirely different groups of children. Her favourite part of the job is seeing the children develop over time, especially when they join her playgroup or crèche with learning difficulties and she is able to help them overcome these difficulties. She teaches them the social skills they will need throughout their lives and so Julie feels she really makes a long-term difference to their lives.
Julie said: “Everyone always says kids are the most precious thing we have, so it makes sense that we need to get the best people who are properly qualified to look after them. I feel a great sense of satisfaction knowing I am helping them to get the best possible start to their lives. I would encourage anyone who is understanding and who loves working with children to consider a career in the Early Years and Childcare sector.”
If you are interested in a career working with children, please log on to www.childcarecareers.gov.uk or call 0800 99 66 00.
October 2007 |
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