What could your future look like in an Early Years career?

Working in Early Years shapes children’s lives, there’s great career progression, it’s sociable and there are jobs available across Scotland.

It can soon become a vocation that can help develop school leavers into fantastic carers, practitioners and managers.

We spoke to 16 year old Harry McClelland from Grange Academy in Kilmarnock who has been studying a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Health Care.

"I decided to do the course mainly because I’m a carer at home for my dad and younger brother, who are both disabled.  I’ve got more experience of health care than almost everyone I know, and I’ve known ever since I was 12 years old that it’s a job I’ve always wanted to go into.

"I like to help other people, before thinking about myself, so that’s mainly why I decided to come to college to do the course.

"I’m used to being a carer, so I thought I could use my experience of this, and eventually get paid for doing a job that I’ll enjoy.

"So far, I’m enjoying the course.  We’ve been taught different ways of communication, such as sign language and braille and also what the barriers to communications could be.

"Later on in the course, we get to go out to a working environment and get to use our new skills.  It’s great, as you get to decide what kind of care you’d like to go into.  I want to care for young people with disabilities in a nursery setting.

"Once I’ve finished the course, I want to continue at college, and eventually go to university.  I’d either want to be a classroom assistant with children with additional support needs or a support worker.”

Whether you’re a school leaver or going for your first job, there are different ways that you can get a job in Early Years.  It’s also worth knowing that there will also be a chance to learn skills and get formal childcare qualifications while you work. There are loads of routes into childcare – so there’s bound to be a way in that suits your needs and goals.

What could your future look like in an Early Years career? Click here for more information on Early Years courses at Ayrshire College.