A nursery assistant supports the care and development of babies and young children, usually aged from birth to five years, in nurseries, pre-schools, or daycare settings. The role involves helping to create a safe and stimulating environment, assisting with play activities, feeding, changing nappies, and ensuring the wellbeing of all children in their care. Nursery assistants often work alongside nursery nurses and early years teachers, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to support children's learning and development. Good communication skills, patience, and a caring nature are essential for this job. While formal qualifications are not always required, many employers prefer candidates with a Level 2 Certificate in Childcare or equivalent. The role can be physically demanding but is rewarding for those who enjoy helping children grow and learn.
Nursery assistants in the UK typically earn between £17,000 and £22,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There are over 50,000 nursery assistant roles across the UK, with demand expected to grow as more families access early years childcare.
Most nursery assistants work around 35 to 40 hours per week, often on a shift basis to cover early mornings and late afternoons.
Supports the care and development of babies aged up to two years in a nursery setting, focusing on feeding, changing, and early learning activities.
Works with children aged three to five years, helping to deliver educational activities and preparing them for primary school.
Assists children with special educational needs or disabilities in a nursery, providing tailored support and care to help them thrive.
Start by gaining experience with children through volunteering or part-time work.
Look for opportunities to volunteer at local nurseries, after-school clubs, or playgroups. You could also gain experience by babysitting or helping out at community youth events. This will help you decide if the role is right for you and show employers you are committed to working with children.
Understand the basics of how children learn and develop.
You can read books, watch videos, or take free online courses about child development. Knowing about children's needs, behaviours, and milestones is important for anyone working in early years settings.
Study for a recognised childcare qualification, such as a Level 1 or Level 2 Certificate in Childcare or Early Years.
Many colleges offer part-time or full-time courses in childcare. Level 1 qualifications are a good starting point, but most employers prefer candidates with at least a Level 2 qualification. Some nurseries may offer apprenticeships where you can learn on the job while studying.
Undertake training in safeguarding and paediatric first aid.
Safeguarding training teaches you how to keep children safe and what to do if you are worried about a child's welfare. Paediatric first aid is often a requirement for nursery settings and covers emergencies such as choking or accidents.
Create a CV highlighting your experience, skills, and qualifications.
Include any relevant volunteer work, qualifications, and personal qualities such as patience and teamwork. Mention any additional languages or special skills that might be useful in a nursery setting.
Look for Nursery Assistant vacancies and submit your applications.
Check job boards, local council websites, and nursery chains for job openings. You may also visit nurseries in your area to ask if they have any vacancies or can offer work experience. Be prepared for interviews and trial days where you may be asked to interact with children.
Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting work.
All staff working with children must have a DBS check to ensure they are suitable for work with children. Your employer will usually organise this as part of the hiring process.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Nursery Assistant. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Nursery Assistant works closely with children in educational settings, supporting their learning and development, which is similar to the role of a Teaching assistant. Both roles involve assisting teachers or educators in caring for and supporting young learners in a classroom or nursery environment.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course to gain some of the skills and knowledge you need to do this job.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This takes up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and learning with a training provider.
You'll usually need:
Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people. This can also help when looking for jobs.
You can get experience by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.
You can apply directly for jobs through schools, local authorities and academy trusts. Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
You'll also need to show that you can work well with children, teachers and parents. Volunteering, or a qualification in nursery work, childcare, playwork or youth work, may give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Teaching assistants may specialise in the kind of extra support they give, for example with:
Teaching assistants are employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.
Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.
You can find more on working as a teaching assistant from Skills for Schools.
You can also search for jobs using the Teaching Vacancies service.
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