Types of childcare jobs

There are jobs at every level offering great opportunities to get training, gain qualifications and develop your career. You can choose a career that fits around your life - full time, part time or term time.

Nurseries

These usually provide daycare for babies and children up to the age of five. Most are open all year round, some are open term time only. There are all kinds of nurseries - some run privately, others by the local authority, voluntary or community groups, schools, colleges or employers. 

Pre-schools and playgroups

They provide sessional or, sometimes full, day care, play and early education for children aged between two and five. Most are organised by community or voluntary groups, providing a number of morning and afternoon sessions each week, usually term time only. Some pre-schools also offer lunch clubs.

Out of School and Holiday Playschemes

Out of School and Holiday Playschemes  provide care and play opportunities, usually for children aged 4-14. They offer a range of activities such as sports, drama, arts, crafts and music. Hours vary according to what is on offer. Staff working in these settings are called playworkers.

Childminders

Childminders look after one or more children for more than two hours per day on domestic premises for reward and are self-employed. Childminders caring  for children from birth to five offer a curriculum called the Early Years  Foundation Stage (EYFS) and are inspected by Ofsted. They may also look after  older children, but they do not have to register with Ofsted to care for  
children aged eight or over. If you are interested in registering as a  childminder, contact Community Childcare and Play on 01865 816667 to request  an enquiry pack.

Home childcarer

A home childcarer, or nanny, looks after a child in the family's own home. For some families, for example those with a child with a physical or learning disabilities, children with autistic spectrum disorders or sensory problems, having childcare provided in the family home may be the preferred option. A home childcarer is employed by the family who are responsible for paying the carer's tax and national insurance contributions.

Foster Carers

Foster Carers look after children in their own home in the long-term, short-term or perhaps to give relief or respite care to a family. To find out more check on our fostering pages or phone the fostering team on 0800 7835724.

Volunteering

If you have no previous experience of working with children or young people, volunteering in a childcare setting or child/youth related organisation is a great way to get started and build up your confidence. Volunteering can be a good way to learn new skills and gain useful experience. To find out more contact the Early Learning and Childcare Recruitment Service email childcarerecruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call 0845 604 2346 (select option 1).

Qualifications

If you’re patient and enthusiastic, take responsibility seriously and have a sense of fun, you may have all you need to start your career working with children. We need a high quality, motivated children’s workforce so you must be prepared to work towards a relevant qualification.

How can I find out more?

The Early Learning and Childcare Recruitment Service offers information, advice and guidance to anyone interested in becoming part of the children’s workforce in Oxfordshire. They advertise current job vacancies from across the county via the childcare job vacancies page.