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Why are early education, childcare and playwork important?
Because children are important. High quality early education, childcare and playwork help children to get the best start in life, promoting all-round development in the crucial formative years. Quality care, education and play make a difference: they enable children to develop social and learning skills that will help them throughout their lives. Quality services for children help parents as well, allowing them to balance work and family life. The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of early education, childcare and playwork and wants to help more people find rewarding job opportunities in these fields. Of course, the quality of early education, care and play depends a lot on the skills and training of the staff. The Executive supports investment in staff training and wants to encourage people working in these fields to acquire, and build on, relevant qualifications.
Why is this a worthwhile career?
For children to get a good start, they need to be looked after and educated by people with the right blend of skills and personal qualities. Working with children, especially young children, is demanding. But it is also very rewarding. If you pursue a career in early education, childcare or playwork you can make a real difference to the quality of children's lives and to their families.
The demand for staff has increased in recent years. And it will increase a lot more in the next few years. Free pre-school education places are now being given to 3 year olds as well as 4 year olds. The new Working Families Tax Credit is helping many less well-off families to afford good quality care. And substantial extra funding will be pumped into childcare through lottery resources from the New Opportunities Fund and direct from the Scottish Executive itself. There has never been a better time to enter a career in childcare and early education.
Who can work in early education, childcare and playwork?
Anyone with the right mix of skills and personal qualities can work in early education, childcare and play settings. Traditionally, most workers in this area have been women; but there are now opportunities for everyone:
Most employers prefer employees to be at least 17 before working with children. But if you are 16 and have a real interest in working in this sector you can start by doing an introductory course at school, college or with a training provider and then move into the job market. Many parents, building on their own childcare experience, turn to childcare occupations later on; and a growing number are finding rewarding careers working with children.
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