How to get a job in childcare

Do you have a passion for helping young people? Knowing how to get a job in childcare is the best first step towards a fulfilling career. In the UK, a career in childcare requires students to obtain specific qualifications. 

If your goal is to work in a nursery, primary school or as a childminder, most roles will expect learners to have recognised training and some level of practical experience. In England, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for learning and development. 

But there’s more than one way in! You can train on the job via an Early Years Practitioner (Level 2) or Early Years Educator (Level 3) apprenticeship, or study full-time routes such as a 2-year Level 3 T-Level in Education and Early Years. 

To learn more about how to get a job in childcare (and what Distance Learning Centre’s range of childcare courses could do for you), read along! 

PART 1: Achieve the relevant qualifications 

Childcare qualifications

The usual entry point for those learning how to get a job in childcare is a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification for supervised posts, with the Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) as the benchmark for being a fully qualified practitioner.

In practice, many people move from Level 2 to Level 3 via an apprenticeship. The Level 2 route typically runs for around 12 months, while the Level 3 EYE standard lasts for around 18 months before the final assessment.

Whichever route you take, it’s essential to factor in paediatric first aid (PFA). Under the EYFS, at least one person with a current PFA must be on site whenever children are present and on outings. 

Anyone who achieved a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification after June 30, 2016, must obtain a full PFA certificate within three months of starting to be counted in staff-to-child ratios. For short, knowledge-building options, endorsed CPD can be equally valuable. 

At Distance Learning Centre, we offer many of these courses under the Quality Licence Scheme (QLS). We allow students to study flexibly from home with tutor support and interest-free instalment plans.

Some of our most popular childcare courses include the Children & Young People’s Workforce – CACHE Level 2 Certificate (RQF). 

Designed to develop core competence and introduce learners to workplace practice, this qualification is an ideal springboard for progression to Level 3. 

Or, if you’re ready to deepen your early years theory at Level 3, the Childcare & Education – CACHE Level 3 Award (RQF) can develop your understanding of children from birth to five. 

PART 2: Gain experience 

Volunteer

The fastest way to understand how early years settings really work (and to learn how to get a job in childcare) is to spend regular time in them. It may be worth approaching local nurseries, charities, community groups or youth centres to see if they offer a consistent slot each week.

Scouts and Girlguiding welcome adult volunteers and set clear safeguarding expectations, including criminal record checks, so they’re a good way to build confidence with groups. If you intend to volunteer, be sure to factor in safeguarding checks from the outset.

Family experience

Caring for siblings, relatives, or doing paid babysitting are legitimate, transferable experiences. When you’re applying for positions or trying to build up your CV, don’t dismiss these parts of your life. 

Present it professionally: state the ages you’ve supported, the routines you handled (from bedtime to bottles), and how you communicated with parents about behaviour. You can even strengthen informal experience with a short, credible course. 

Two easy qualifications are the Department for Education’s free Early Years Child Development training (a CPD course that can be completed online) and Distance Learning Centre’s own Understanding Safeguarding Children – QLS Level 3. 

During this course, you can gain a clearer understanding of legislation, signs of abuse, and reporting procedures. 

PART 3: Get checked and certified

Background check

For most roles that involve working with children, employers will ask for an Enhanced DBS check and, if the role is classed as regulated activity, this will also include a check of the children’s barred list. 

You won’t apply for an enhanced check yourself – the application must be made by the employer or another registered/umbrella body on your behalf, although you can apply personally for a Basic check.

Health declaration

If you’re registering with Ofsted (for example, as a childminder or manager of childcare on domestic premises), you must complete a Health declaration form, which your GP also completes. 

Ofsted uses this to assess your fitness to care for, or be in regular contact with, children. Your GP may charge a fee for their part. If you’re applying for a job in a nursery or school, the employer may also arrange a pre-employment/occupational health assessment to confirm two things: 

  • Fitness for the role
  • Any reasonable adjustments you may need. 

Paediatric first aid

We touched on this briefly earlier, but it’s a key requirement that at least one person with a current Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises at all times when children are present (and they must accompany children on outings). 

A quick checklist before you apply

These checks can feel complicated, particularly if you’re not used to this level of administration. For a simple breakdown of how to get a job in childcare, here’s a short checklist that you can come back to when applying for childcare jobs: 

  • Ask the employer which DBS level they need and whether your role is regulated activity
  • If eligible, join the DBS Update Service within 30 days of your certificate’s issue
  • If registering with Ofsted, download the Health declaration form and book your GP to complete their sections
  • Book a full EYFS-compliant PFA course (and schedule renewal before the 3-year expiry). 

Ready to learn? Choose Distance Learning Centre as your provider of Childcare Courses

Once you’ve completed the essentials (DBS, health declaration, first aid), now it’s time to make your application stand out with recognised training you can complete from home. 

Luckily, we offer a fantastic selection of childcare and early years courses, from foundation knowledge right through to Ofqual-regulated RQF qualifications from awarding bodies such as CACHE. 

Best of all, our courses offer flexible study options. Learn at your pace, on your schedule, with full tutor support for guidance and assignment marking. Our courses will help you confidently build core knowledge, scaffolding students as you step up to the RQF. 

If you have any questions about our course, please don't hesitate to contact us.