Your day-to-day tasks could include:

• creating a safe and stimulating environment to promote learning
• updating parents and carers on children's progress
• working with colleagues to meet children’s needs
• checking equipment is in good condition

You’ll also have business responsibilities which could include:

• recruiting staff and developing the nursery team
• managing a budget
• arranging marketing materials
• keeping records and creating management reports
• working within environmental, health and safety and fire regulations
• keeping up to date with developments in early years care
• building relationships with parents, carers, schools and childcare professionals
• making sure the nursery meets Ofsted and early years foundation stage standards

You could work in a nursery.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

With experience, you could become an area manager and look after the work of a number of nurseries. You might also think about setting up your own private nursery. Ofsted has information on how to do this.

You could become a trainer or training assessor for people studying for childcare qualifications. You could also move into nursery inspection.

Taking a higher education qualification in early years or child development could help you move into teaching, children's nursing or social work.