Nursery Nurse: Job Description
Learn more about becoming a Nursery Nurse in the UK.
Main Duties
A nursery nurses main role us to care for children in a non-clinical way. The children they care for are most likely to be pre-school age and will need to be looked after while their parents are ay work.
The nursery nurse will have to supervise children playing and provide them with activities to do. Meals and snacks will need to be prepared and served. Their personal needs will also need to attended to such as keeping them clean, helping them with going to the toilet and changing nappies where necessary.
It may be necessary to take care of their educational needs. There is a requirement for children to learn to read and write and have basic counting skills before they start school and so these skills may need to be taught by the nursery nurse. Nursery nurses would normally read to children.
It may be necessary to take the children on expeditions. This will involve getting them ready and supervising them on the journey and while involved in the activity.
They may be employed in a public or private nursery. It is also possible to find jobs in hospitals.
Working hours tend to be between 7am and 8pm, so may require early or late shifts. Normally working days are Monday-Friday.
Expected Salary
Salaries will vary depending on experience between 312,000 and £15,000.
Pros
Job satisfaction when the children show satisfaction and happiness.
An ever changing environment where there is no predicting what each day will bring, so no chance of boredom.
A selection of different duties to perform so a good variation in the role.
Cons
Having to change dirty nappies and clothing of children who have had accidents.
Coping with children who cry or show signs of distress.
Having to look out for signs of mistreatment or abuse.
Qualifications Required
NNEB certificate or NVQ level 3 in childcare
CRB check
First aid and CPR training is preferable
Required Skills
Being able to easily listen and talk to childrenCaring and loving towards children and enjoying their companyBeing well organised and practicalBeing able to work well as part of a teamGood time management skillsCreative, expressive and imaginativeBeing observant and able to act quickly in the case of an emergencyAware of good food hygiene practicesBeing able to effectively report back to parents at the end of the day as to how the children has been with regards to behaviour, mood and any achievements they have made.
If you want to work with children and pass an enhanced CRB check, this is a great way to start. The salary isn’t large, mainly as the managers will get the higher salary, but if you love children and want to work with them while they are learning then this is the one