Early Years Practitioner
Also advertised as: Childminder, Early Years Educator, Early Years Practitioner, Nursery Assistant, Nursery Nurse, Nursery Practitioner
Cares for and develops children under five through play-based learning.
What the job involves
Early years practitioners plan activities that build children's language, movement, confidence and curiosity, while keeping them safe and observing development. Nurseries, pre-schools and childminding all offer routes, with Level 3 the key qualification.
Typical responsibilities
- Plan and lead play-based learning activities
- Observe and record children's development
- Meet safeguarding and welfare requirements
- Support children's personal care and routines
- Build relationships with parents and carers
Common employers
- Nurseries
- Pre-schools
- School nursery classes
- Childminding businesses
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£20,000 – £24,000 a year
With experience
£25,000 – £30,000 a year
Typical hours
Full day shifts, typically 40 hours
Working environment
Nursery rooms and outdoor areas
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Child development knowledge
- Safeguarding
- Patience
- Observation and recording
- Creativity
Transferable skills you may already have
- Caring for children
- Planning activities
- Working in a small team
Requirements employers ask for
- Child development knowledge
- Safeguarding
- Patience
- Observation and recording
- Creativity
- Enhanced DBS
- Paediatric first aid
- Enhanced DBS
- Ofsted registration for childminders
Useful but not essential
- Caring for children
- Planning activities
- Working in a small team
- Level 3 Early Years Educator
- Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
Helpful qualifications
- Level 3 Early Years Educator
- Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
Licences and checks
- Enhanced DBS
- Ofsted registration for childminders
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Early Years Practitioner (Level 2)
- Early Years Educator (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Childcare
- Related subject: Early years
- Related subject: Education
Where this career can lead
next
Room Leader
next
Deputy Nursery Manager
next
Nursery Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Qualifications funded through apprenticeships
- Available in every area
- Route to running your own setting
What people find hard
- Low pay relative to responsibility
- Physically tiring
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a early years practitioner?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a early years practitioner earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £20,000 to £24,000 a year, rising towards £30,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Caring for children, Planning activities, Working in a small team.
Related careers
Teaching Assistant
Supports pupils' learning in the classroom, often working closely with those who need extra help.
Primary School Teacher
Plans and teaches the full curriculum to a class of primary-aged children.
School Business Manager
Runs the finances, premises and administration behind a school's day-to-day operation.
Secondary School Teacher
Plans and delivers lessons to pupils aged 11 to 18 in a specialist subject.
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Coordinates support for pupils with additional learning needs across a school.
Education Welfare Officer
Works with families and schools to tackle poor school attendance and safeguarding concerns.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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