The different job roles in a nursery: A guide to early years careers

Thinking about a career in childcare? Nursery jobs cover a much wider range of roles than you might expect.

Whether you're drawn to working directly with children as an Educator, stepping into a management position, or supporting behind the scenes through Support Office or operations roles such as Chef, Front of House, or Housekeeping, there's a place for you in a nursery setting.

If you're just starting out, Apprenticeships offer a way to get your foot in the door and build towards your career.

Find out more about the different job roles in a nursery and discover which one could be the right fit for you.

Key takeaways

• Nursery jobs cover far more than just working with children, including Management, Operations, Chefs, Front of House, and Support Office roles.
• No qualifications are needed to get started as a Nursery Educator, making it an accessible entry point into early years.
• Apprenticeships are available at every level, from Level 2 for beginners through to Level 7 for those moving into senior positions.
• Room Leader and Senior Educator roles typically require a Level 3 Early Years Qualification and proven nursery experience.
• Flexi Team roles are available for those who need flexibility around other commitments.

Nursery Educator roles

Nursery Educator jobs can be incredibly rewarding, as you’ll be right there alongside young children, helping them learn and grow.

Nursery Educator roles are a great fit for those who want a hands-on part in a child's day-to-day care and learning.

You'll plan and deliver activities, such as story time and creative play, while observing and recording each child's development.

Alongside this, you'll attend to children's physical needs, from feeding and nappy changing to administering first aid, all while building close and meaningful attachments with every child in your care.

Within these roles, you'll be responsible for upholding exceptional standards of teaching and care, and your duties will include planning engaging learning experiences, promoting positive behaviour, and safeguarding the welfare and safety of every child.

You'll also monitor each child's development and provide written reports to keep families informed of their progress.

Unqualified Educators

If you're just beginning your journey in early years education, an Unqualified Educator role could be the perfect way to land your first role. You'll support the nursery team with daily activities and basic care routines as you help to keep the environment safe and welcoming.

Since this role typically doesn't require any qualifications, it's an ideal starting point for those looking to build experience in early years education.

Nursery Educator

Becoming a Nursery Educator typically requires gaining Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) through an accredited early years initial teacher training (EYITT) course.

You can work towards this through an undergraduate degree in early childhood studies or child development, or by completing teacher training after your first degree. Otherwise, starting as an Unqualified Educator while studying part-time is a great way to build your way into the role.

Once qualified, you'll take a leading role in planning and delivering activities, including:

• Preparing materials and lessons
• Designing experiences tailored to each child's developmental stage
• Monitoring children’s progress
• Keeping parents and caregivers informed
• Collaborating with colleagues on curriculum planning
• Supervising Unqualified Educators and Apprentices

Room Leader and Senior Educator

Room Leader and Senior Educator roles are a natural next step for experienced practitioners ready to take on more responsibility. You'll take charge of the day-to-day running of a specific room or age group, leading a team of practitioners, overseeing planning and observations, managing room organisation, and making sure every child's development is appropriately supported and tracked.

You'll also be building strong relationships with parents and caregivers and ensuring that all procedures and policies are consistently followed.

To step into one of these roles, you'll typically need a Level 3 Early Years Qualification and plenty of proven experience in a nursery setting.

Nursery Flexi Educators

Looking for a nursery job that fits around your life?

Flexi Team roles are designed for team members seeking extra flexibility in their schedules. These roles let you choose when and how much you work across the nursery on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis, so you can set hours that fit around your life and commitments.

Nursery Management roles

Nursery Management jobs involve all of the hands-on responsibilities you'd find across other nursery roles, including supporting children's learning and development and ensuring a safe environment, with the addition of overseeing the wider operation of the nursery, such as:

• Supporting team recruitment and development
• Keeping on top of budgets
• Maintaining records and reports
• Making sure child protection regulations are met
• Building and growing the reputation of your nursery
• Finding creative ways to develop the business

You can work towards nursery management roles through a university degree, a college course, an apprenticeship, or by progressing through the sector and gaining experience across other early years roles.

Nursery Manager

The Nursery Manager is the most senior role in the setting.

A manager role will give you full responsibility for everything that happens within the nursery, including team recruitment and development, budgets, compliance, and family partnerships. You'll set the standard for the quality of care and education delivered, and play a direct part in shaping your nursery's reputation and success.

Nursery Education Manager

The Nursery Education Manager role is your chance to develop the skills and experience needed to progress to a full Nursery Manager position.

You'll work closely alongside the Nursery Manager, stepping in to lead the setting when needed, overseeing team and room operations, and acting as a key point of contact for families, which helps you build the knowledge and confidence needed to take the next step in your career.

Nursery Operations roles

Nursery Operations jobs are at the heart of what makes a nursery truly great. These roles ensure every child, parent, and team member has the best possible experience every single day.

Chefs and Kitchen Assistants

Chefs and Kitchen Assistants are responsible for preparing healthy meals for children throughout the week.

As a Chef, you'll bring creativity and a strong knowledge of food and nutrition to every dish you prepare, making mealtimes nutritious and enjoyable for children in the nursery.

As a Kitchen Assistant, you'll support the Chef in delivering those dishes, and you’ll need a good awareness of allergies and other dietary requirements.

Front of House

Front of House Managers are the first point of contact for parents and children, setting the tone for the nursery experience from the moment they arrive.

Aside from greeting families, you'll be supporting the management team by overseeing the kitchen and cleaning teams, managing budgets, rotas, and more.

Housekeepers

Housekeepers must maintain a clean and hygienic environment throughout the nursery to help make it a happier and safer place for children, positively contributing to their learning experiences.

It's a hands-on role that occasionally involves supporting educators in the room, making it a great entry point for those with a passion for childcare.

Support Office roles

Support Office jobs cover a wide range of functions that keep the business running and growing behind the scenes.

Depending on the role, you could be managing finances and budgets, driving marketing campaigns, overseeing property and expansion projects, supporting recruitment and staff development, or ensuring food safety requirements are met across all nurseries.

Other roles focus on admissions, operations, and education, where you’ll be working closely with nursery teams.

Starting your early years career with nursery Apprenticeships

Nursery Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to gain a recognised qualification and hands-on experience simultaneously. These are suitable for anyone who’s just starting out, switching careers, or returning to the early years sector after a break.

During an Apprenticeship, you'll spend the majority of your time working directly in a nursery or office setting, learning on the job alongside experienced practitioners and managers.

For those new to early years, Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships cover key topics such as play-based learning, child development, safety, and the EYFS framework.

Meanwhile, Level 5 and Level 7 Apprenticeships are available to help experienced practitioners progress into senior and management positions.

Apprenticeships aren't just for educators. Front of House, Chef, Kitchen Assistant, and Support Office Apprenticeships are also available, with no age restrictions and no prior qualifications needed to get started.

Once you’ve completed your Apprenticeship, you'll walk away with a qualification and experiences that can open doors to more senior roles or specialist career paths.

Why choose a career in early years?

With so many different roles available across nursery settings, a career in early years offers something truly unique: the chance to make a lasting difference during the most formative years of a child's life.

Whether you're in the room with children every day, leading a team, or keeping the nursery running behind the scenes, every role plays a part in shaping those early experiences. It's a sector where your work genuinely matters, and where there's always room to grow.

Frequently asked questions about nursery job roles

Find out more about the different job roles in a nursery with these FAQs:

Can you work at a nursery part-time?

Yes, many nurseries (including N Family Club!) offer part-time positions across a range of roles, which is an ideal option for anyone who’s balancing other commitments.

Can a Teaching Assistant (TA) work in a nursery?

Yes, teaching assistants can work in nursery settings. They typically support qualified staff with activities and care routines to create an optimal learning environment for young children.

How do I prepare to apply for a nursery job?

Start by gaining relevant experience with children through volunteering or paid work. Then, follow our tips for creating a standout CV and apply to jobs either directly through nursery websites or job listing websites.

Once you land a nursery interview, be sure to prepare by going over your CV, researching the nursery you're interviewing with, practising mock interviews, and preparing questions to ask on the day.