Getting into working with children
The routes you could follow if you want to work with children.
There is a wide range of careers that involve children, so think about your strengths and the type of role that appeals to you.
Types of career
- Advocate (social worker, careers adviser)
- Carer (children’s nurse)
- Educator (play worker, teacher, classroom assistant)
- Listener (counsellor)
- Therapist (educational psychologist, speech therapist)
Look at our information on Education, Childhood and Youth and our Student stories.
Work experience
Try to get some experience in a voluntary capacity if you can - for example, as a helper in a nursery or school, as a cub, scout or brownie leader, or at a summer playgroup. If you know what age group you hope to work with, it would help if some of your voluntary work could be with those ages.
Legal requirements
You are required to have a police check in order to work with children in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Relevant OU study
If you haven’t studied for some time, look at the OU Openings course Understanding Children and young people. This is studied over 20 weeks and has four start dates a year.
If you are ready to start to study at Level 1 then choose a subject related to your career ideas.
You may also want to discuss your plans with staff in your regional or national centre.
Prospects
Find out more about occupations of interest to you using the search facility in Explore types of jobs on Prospects website.
Student stories
See our Student stories for some experiences of OU students in childcare.