Working with small children is demanding but rewarding and if want to work with kids but don’t want to go down the teaching route, there are plenty of childcare careers to choose from.

Nursery worker

It’s important that children develop in a safe, supportive environment. Nursery work involves supervising activities, teaching, caring for and monitoring children’s progress. You may work with one child, or a whole class. Nursery workers can work in privately owned nurseries, reception classes and children’s centres.

Nursery nurse

You will usually need one of the following qualifications to work as a nursery nurse: a CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care, a BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care or a NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care. GCSEs, including English and maths, are also helpful. Background checks are conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and you will need to undergo an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check if you want to work with young children.

Social worker

Making a positive difference to children’s lives within the community is extremely rewarding. Social work is challenging and often involves being in uncomfortable, unfamiliar settings. You’ll need to provide advice, protect children, counsel, keep records and ultimately help improve children’s lives. You’ll work alongside children and families, solving any current issues.

A three year undergraduate degree or a two year postgraduate degree in social work is required. You’ll also need five GCSES (A*-C grade) including English and maths and at least two A-levels. Find out about starting a career in social care here.

Registered child minder

If you love children and would like the convenience of working from home, this could be your ideal career. Child minders look after babies and young children in their own houses while their parents are at work. Typical tasks include providing meals, organising entertaining and educational activities and going on outings.

No formal qualifications are required to become a child minder but if you are being paid to look after children for more than two hours a day, you will need to register with your local authority or you will be breaking the law. You also need to register with Ofsted so that they can inspect you before you can become a child minder.

Child psychologist

Child psychologists help children to cope with behavioural problems and mental illness and are involved in counselling and assessing those children.

You will need to do a 4 year bachelor’s degree at uni, where you’ll study psychology, human development and statistics as part of the course. Many child psychologists also have a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology).

To find out all about the variety of careers and qualification routes for working with children visit our health and social care page.

By student contributor Melissa Snow, Alcester Grammar School