A career in childcare and development is hugely rewarding, and there are many ways into the industry, and you can get creative with the path you choose to take to gain experience along the way.
Here are 4 tried and tested ways into the childcare industry that will help you achieve your full potential.
- Do a Degree
Alongside some workplace experience, completing a degree can help give your current knowledge a hefty boost, and a record of your accomplishments to go with it!
To fit around any existing family commitments you may have, you can also opt for a distance learning course that allows you to study in your own time, and not be confined by your daily timetable.
For example, you can study the online Child and Adolescent Wellbeing MSc with Anglia Ruskin University, which helps to develop your knowledge of child and teenage development and wellbeing.
- Get some Workplace Experience
In most job interviews, prospective employers will want to see evidence of work experience in the field you are applying for.
You can find a series of voluntary roles, paid employment, and work experience through websites like Prospects.
Practical work experience will help you to find information on how to launch a childcare career and what you can expect from your career journey..
- Camp America
If you fancy working in the USA for 9 weeks, then Camp America could be for you! You can work in a number of roles depending on your interests.
Examples of roles currently offered are in sports, arts, horse riding, media, fitness, performing arts, or as a general wellbeing counsellor.
You can also boost your CV with your experiences, and sharpen other transferable skills like teamwork and communication along the way.
- Teach Abroad
If you are leaning towards a teaching career, you can enhance your CV with teaching opportunities abroad in countries like China, where you are paid a salary and also receive reimbursements for flight and visa costs.
This is hugely rewarding, and will provide genuine teaching experience, but you will need to make sure you have a TEFL certificate (around 120 hours of learning), a valid passport, a Z-Visa, and a clean criminal record before applying.
You can find more information on websites like Teach ESL China, who will guide you through the process.
- Tutoring
Tutoring is a great entry level position for anyone who wants experience working with children. You can work as a freelancer, or join an agency to tutor various levels of the curriculum including GCSE, A-Level, or SATS.
Key qualities required for tutoring jobs are good communication skills, good understanding of the subject matter, and a patient and kind manner with children.
An understanding of any potential learning disabilities are also helpful, as this may mean that a child works better in a 1:1 tutoring environment with focused attention.
Do you have any tips for getting into a career in the childcare industry? Leave your answer in the comments below!
