What qualifications do I need to work in Childcare?
To become fully qualified you will need either: A Diploma in Childcare & Education (an advanced/level 3 course studied over 2 years full-time at a college of further education). Direct entry onto this course may require 4 or 5 GCSEs grade A-C, often including English (there is a lot of written / project work involved). If you do not have these qualification then many colleges run level 2/intermediate Childcare & Education Certificate courses (lasting one year) or GNVQ Intermediate/BTEC First Diploma courses in Health & Social Care, which allow progression onto this course. OR NVQ level 3 in Childcare & Education. This qualification is gained by primarily working in a nursery or primary school and being assessed on the job (possibly with one day a week being spent at a training centre or college to work towards completing a portfolio). Sometimes nurseries will recruit trainees themselves (though they often want young people aged 18+) or sometimes you can obtain a position by applying fo
