A nursery nurse is employed by nurseries, schools, hospitals and private homes to assist with the non-clinical care of young children and babies. Nursery nursing involves taking care of a child’s learning, play, education and social development, and so calls for highly dedicated and responsible individuals
Nursery nurses usually work in public nurseries, providing day care for babies and children of pre-school age while their parents are at work. Typical duties include supervising the children’s play, providing play-related activities, organizing the children’s meals and taking care of their personal needs. Those employed in neonatal units will usually work under a registered nurse and be responsible for feeding, changing and comforting newborn babies
The majority of nursery nurses are required to have a qualification in childcare – either an NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board) certificate or an NVQ Level 3. It is also necessary to have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check or to provide an enhanced disclosure. Salaries range from £12,000 to £15,000.