Whether you’re a parent yourself or just get along well with kids, jobs in childcare hold undeniable appeal. Those young minds are fun, cute, and almost always great to be around. But which childcare job will end up being the right career for you? If you’re anything like most, you might be tempted by the broad availability of nursery work, but did you know that many childcare workers simply can’t settle into this environment? After all, most nurseries are pretty busy places, and large classes can often make real connections difficult to come by.
Yet, you might not have the first clue about what a childcare career looks like outside of this mainstay. Luckily, we can help you to avoid getting stuck in an ill-suited work environment by considering some great non-nursery childcare career options to bear in mind.
Childminder
If you don’t love the strict routines and 9-5 of nursery work, then why not become a childminder? This is a freelance role, which will see the kids in your care coming into your home, where you’ll need to care for and entertain them. Childminders have complete freedom over everything from how many kids they take on to which activities they do throughout the day, which can be incredibly appealing. However, bear in mind that you will need to bear the costs of general care, meals, and activities, which could leave you out of pocket if your uptake isn’t high.
Nanny
If freelance life doesn’t appeal, then why not consider household staffing roles that might include nannies or family assistants? In this instance, you’ll spend time with the children of one family only in their own home and will work in close proximity with the family. In some cases, this role will see you arriving and leaving each day, while other nanny jobs can involve live-in positions. Nanny work is particularly appealing if connecting with children is your main drive, as you’ll grow very close to the children in your care, and will likely be with them throughout the majority of their childhood.
Teaching Assistant (TA)
A TA role will see you entering a school setting to work alongside children in the classroom. This role will involve slightly older kids than you dealt with in a nursery, and will see you supporting the class teacher by providing one-to-one help to any children who need it. You’ll also assist with things like setting up and clearing away the classroom, playground duty, and school trips where required. This can be great for people who are interested in a more educational childcare setting or who are interested in pursuing teaching qualifications.
These are just a few options to help you switch noisy nurseries for a better-suited childcare role. You may also wish to consider alternatives like social work, child therapy, or simply leading a child-friendly club or group. Either way, think about why you’re working with kids in the first place, and be realistic about which option would be the best fit for you.
