Info..info..info A career in Early Learning

Career changers will be targeted across Scotland over the next month, a time of year when many people think about changing their job, as the next phase of the childcare recruitment campaign “A Job and a Joy” launches.

The “Wake up and Smell the Playdough” activity emphasises the rewarding, enjoyable and meaningful nature of a job in childcare.

There is a range of jobs available, with training and development opportunities for a career in which individuals can “earn as they learn.”

The campaign supports the Scottish Government’s pledge to increase the hours of fundedearly Learning and Childcare available to families in Scotland to 1140 by 2020.

Results from a recent survey which asked people across Scotland what aspects of work are most important to them when considering their ideal type of job, revealed that achieving a ‘work life balance’ was most important (61 per cent), while 58 per cent put “rewarding work” in their top five considerations.

Another survey was conducted to assess what parents and children felt were important attributes for early learning and childcare practitioners 2. Seven out of ten (72 per cent) parents felt that the practioner should encourage children to develop social skills, while just under three fifths (59 per cent) felt it was important that they help children to learn new things.

Over nine in ten (94 per cent) of parents confirmed their child looks forward to seeing the staff at their nursery.

Children aged between three and five were asked what they love best about their nursery teacher.

Drawing and painting together came out top for girls (55 per cent), in contrast to the boys who preferred good storytelling (52 per cent).

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “Working with children is varied, enjoyable and meaningful, and this is the focus of our ‘A Job and A Joy” campaign.

“We know that when people consider changing career, achieving a good work life balance is essential alongside rewarding work.

“Our expansion of funded early learning and childcare will create up to 11,000 high qualityand well-paid jobs across Scotland by 2020.

A career in childcare is more than ‘just a job’, with opportunities for flexible working and career progression.”