Childcare Skills

Course summary

Early years educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminder, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, preschools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. An Early Years Educator: • Plans and supervises child initiated and adult led activities which are based around the needs and interests of each individual child • Supports children to develop numeracy and language skills through games and play • Has key person responsibility to help ensure each child feels safe and secure • Observes each child and shapes their learning experience to reflect their observations • Meets the care needs of the individual child such as feeding, changing nappies and administration of medicine • Works in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child • With additional experience, an Early Years Educator can become the manager of an early years setting • Childcare • Education • Nursery nursing • Child play • Schools • Teaching assistant