How to Become a Nursery Worker in the UK
Nursery workers, also called nursery practitioners or early years practitioners, care for and teach babies and children under five in day nurseries, pre-schools and nursery classes. You plan play-based activities, support early language, reading and number skills, observe and record each child's progress, change nappies, serve meals, settle children for naps and talk to parents at drop-off and pick-up. In England you work to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which sets the learning goals and safety rules every setting follows.
You do not need a degree. You can start as a nursery assistant or apprentice and qualify on the job. To count fully in staff-to-child ratios you need an approved Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification, a paediatric first aid certificate and an enhanced DBS check.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £18,000 - £22,000
- Mid-career salary
- £23,000 - £28,000
- Senior salary
- £30,000 - £45,000+
- Work environment
- Work takes place in nurseries and preschools involving a mix of indoor and outdoor play areas.
- Time to entry
- 3 months - 2 years
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Education, Science and Research
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report.
What a Nursery Worker does
Nursery Workers provide care and educational activities for children under the age of five in early years settings.
- Early Years Educator - Focuses on delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum to prepare children for primary school.
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) Assistant - Supports children with specific physical, learning, or emotional needs within the nursery setting.
- Nursery Manager - Oversees the daily operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance of the entire childcare facility.
How to become a nursery worker in the UK
Most nursery workers train through an apprenticeship or a college course. In England, the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner and Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeships let you earn in a nursery while you study, and the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification is the one most settings want for practitioner and room leader roles. School and college leavers can also take a Level 3 college course or the T Level in Education and Early Years, and adults aged 19 or over may be able to pay for a Level 3 course with an Advanced Learner Loan. Make sure any course is on the Department for Education's list of approved early years qualifications, or it will not count towards ratios. Every setting needs an enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check, and you need a paediatric first aid certificate, which many nurseries arrange for new staff. In Scotland, nursery staff register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and work towards the qualification it sets for their role, and Wales and Northern Ireland have their own approved qualifications. Experience in a nursery is often the step into other work with children, such as becoming a teaching assistant.
- Get some experience with young children, for example volunteering at a pre-school, toddler group, Rainbows or Beavers, or a work placement in a day nursery.
- Check you have GCSE English and maths, or plan to take functional skills, as apprenticeships and Level 3 courses usually need them.
- Apply for an enhanced DBS check through the nursery or training provider, which every early years setting needs before you work with children.
- Choose your route: a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner or Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, a Level 3 college course, or the T Level in Education and Early Years.
- Check that your qualification is on the Department for Education's list of approved early years qualifications, so it counts towards staff-to-child ratios.
- Complete a paediatric first aid course, and keep it up to date, as it is required for nursery staff to be counted in ratios in England.
- Once qualified, move up to room leader, deputy manager or nursery manager, or study further, such as the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship or Early Years Teacher Status.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Practitioner (Level 2) or Early Years Educator (Level 3) apprenticeship | Around 12-24 months | Free; you are paid by the nursery | School leavers and career changers who want to earn while qualifying |
| Level 3 Early Years Educator college course | 1-2 years | Usually free for 16 to 18 year olds; adults may use an Advanced Learner Loan | Students who prefer classroom study with placements |
| T Level in Education and Early Years | 2 years | Free for 16 to 19 year olds | School leavers in England wanting a Level 3 route with an industry placement |
| Nursery assistant role, then qualify | Start within weeks | Free; training often funded by the employer | Parents and people with childcare experience |
How long it takes
You can start as a nursery assistant or apprentice within a few weeks once your DBS check clears. Qualifying takes around 12 to 24 months on an apprenticeship or college course, and moving up to room leader usually takes a further year or two of experience.
Nursery Worker salary in the UK
In TonyKnows career data, nursery workers start on around £18,000 to £22,000. Where you start depends on your age, hours and whether you are an apprentice, because the apprentice and younger worker minimum wage rates are lower, and many nursery jobs are part-time. Qualified practitioners and room leaders earn around £23,000 to £28,000, and deputy managers and nursery managers reach around £30,000 to £45,000 or more. Settings in London and large nursery groups often pay more, and a Level 3 qualification usually moves you onto a higher rate.
Key skills
- Safeguarding children
- Child development knowledge
- Observation and assessment
- Communication
- Health and safety
Nursery Worker FAQs
What qualifications do I need to work in a nursery?
You can start as an unqualified nursery assistant, but to count fully in staff-to-child ratios you need an approved Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification, a paediatric first aid certificate and an enhanced DBS check. Most practitioner and room leader roles ask for the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Can I become a nursery worker with no experience?
Yes. Many nurseries take on apprentices and nursery assistants with no experience and train them. Volunteering at a pre-school or toddler group first helps your application and shows you whether you enjoy working with young children every day.
How long does it take to become a nursery practitioner?
A Level 2 apprenticeship usually takes around a year and a Level 3 apprenticeship or college course around 12 to 24 months. You can work in a nursery from the start of an apprenticeship, earning while you qualify.
How much does a nursery worker earn in the UK?
Nursery workers start on around £18,000 to £22,000, depending on age, hours and apprentice status. Qualified practitioners and room leaders earn around £23,000 to £28,000, and nursery managers reach around £30,000 to £45,000 or more.
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