EXPERIENCE
Since qualifying in 1998 I have spent the past ten years working as a nursery nurse and a nanny, in a variety of settings spanning schools, nurseries and private homes.
I've always enjoyed being hands-on with the children and was keen to branch into playwork, where there is a lot of scope for creativity.
WHAT I DO
I am responsible for organising play sessions for children aged nought to eight and encouraging parents to play with their children.
We try to introduce as wide a range of play themes as possible. Recent projects have included a wedding day and Chinese New Year. We celebrate many different cultures for cultural awareness.
As well as my level three in childcare I have relished the opportunity to undertake further training in areas such as child protection, Makaton and first aid.
I have taken part in many training sessions that have been provided, such as a day course in play therapy. I also enjoyed training on how to use puppets in stories and everyday play and conversations with children, who often talk more to the puppet than to an adult.
One thing I really enjoy is dealing with parents. I have been able to build up some strong relationships through the parent and toddler groups. Play is a good springboard to talk about other things, such as behaviour issues, nutrition, sleep patterns and how to use dummies. Being based in this kind of setting has also given me the opportunity to learn about inter-agency working. The staff network here has been very supportive, and has helped me to maximise my role.
Working with a variety of staff has increased my confidence in new areas, such as helping to deliver family nurturing training sessions.
AMBITION
I am open-minded about where my career may lead me next. I have found I really enjoy working with parents, in a joined up role which involves other professionals. I enjoy travelling and worked in a camp in America. I have thought about nannying abroad.
OPTIONS
Faye obviously enjoys the elements of her work that enable her to be creative, promote the importance of play and collaborate with parents and other professionals. This is crucial for working effectively in the current children's workforce, and strongly underpins further career development. Being open-minded about future options enables Faye to explore opportunities to diversify and prepare herself by developing additional skills that complement her competencies.
Most importantly, Faye needs to consider an ultimate career ambition and steer a pathway that leads to where she will feel fulfilled.
Family support co-ordinator
Faye may consider working more directly with parents and their children as a family support co-ordinator, where she would be responsible for running provision that supports children's learning and development by including families in creative and informative activities. She would be able to develop a more strategic understanding of managing a range of activity in collaboration with other health, education and social care professionals. These positions are usually in children's centres and local authority teams, although not exclusively, and there are charitable organisations such as Home Start that employ family support organisers.
- Salary range: £23,700-£25,300 (Variations by setting/locality/qualifications)
Play development officer
Local authority Children and Young People's teams employ staff who support the development and quality of provision within an inter-agency framework. Faye's experience in a children's centre, working with other professionals and developing play is good experience for the role of play development officer. She may consider further training at level 4, and in particular playwork. Often the role will involve planning extended provision for a wider age range of children. This would enable Faye to transfer some of her knowledge gained in early years to older children and young people's services.
- Salary range: £20,500-£25,000 (local authority variations)
Nanny or home-based child carer
For something completely different, Faye may choose to be a nanny or home-based child carer, which could combine her enjoyment of travel with that of working directly with families. As a nanny she could be required to live with the family full-time, or as a home-based childcarer provide daily care and development support to one or more families. This type of work can be very demanding and requires high levels of professional diplomacy, integrity and confidentiality while working alone. The Diploma in Home Based Child Care, that teaches the specific principles of care within the child's own home, is now available at many local colleges.
- Salary range: Wide variation from hourly rates to salaried
This type of work can be very demanding and requires high levels of professional diplomacy, integrity and confidentiality whilst working work alone, therefore this type of training is useful in support of the role. Working closely with a family/or families in non maintained settings, could later lead to wider family support work opportunities.
Name: Faye Onley
Age: 29
Current role: Play development worker in a children's centre
Qualifications: CACHE level 3 Diploma in Nursery Nursing
Tina Jefferies, The Red Space Company
www.redspacecompany.com, e-mail info@redspacecompany.com
