Nursery Practitioner: Qualifications, Responsibilities and How to Get Started

A nursery practitioner cares for and supports the learning and development of children from birth to five in settings such as private day nurseries, pre-schools and school nursery or reception classes. The role follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Many positions require a Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification. Your qualification level affects how you can be counted in the setting's staffing ratios (the number of adults required for each child) and the responsibilities you may be able to take on.

What does a nursery practitioner do?

The role combines childcare with early learning. Day-to-day responsibilities may include nappy changing, supporting mealtimes and planning play activities around children's interests and developmental needs. You also observe children's progress, record your observations and communicate with parents and carers, including at collection times.

Many practitioners also act as a key person. The EYFS requires every child to have one: an adult who helps them settle into the setting, provides continuity of care and builds a relationship with their parents or carers.

Job titles vary. Nursery nurse, nursery practitioner and early years practitioner often refer to similar roles. The Department for Education's qualification criteria use the titles Early Years Practitioner at Level 2 and Early Years Educator at Level 3, so it is worth checking the qualification level specified in an advert rather than relying on the job title alone.

Level 2 or Level 3: what is the difference?

Both qualifications can count towards staffing ratios, but the EYFS sets different requirements depending on the children's ages and the qualifications and experience of the staff. Under the EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers, in force since 1 September 2026:

• Under twos: One adult to three children, with at least one Level 3 practitioner who is experienced with under-twos and at least half of the remaining staff qualified to Level 2. At least half of all staff must have training in caring for babies.
• Two-year-olds: One adult to five children, with at least one Level 3 practitioner and at least half of the remaining staff qualified to Level 2.
• Children aged three and over: One adult to eight children, with the same qualification mix, or one adult to thirteen children when someone with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is working directly with the children, alongside at least one other member of staff qualified to Level 3.

Room leader vacancies often ask for a Level 3 qualification, and the setting manager must hold an approved Level 3 qualification or above. A Level 2 qualification allows you to count towards staffing ratios at Level 2. The framework does not require a key person to hold a Level 3 qualification, so whether Level 2 practitioners take on key-person responsibilities depends on the nursery's approach.

Two conditions to be aware of

If you started your Level 3 qualification on or after 1 September 2014, you also need a suitable Level 2 English qualification. This could be GCSE English language or literature at grade 4 (or C), or Functional Skills English at Level 2. Without this, you can only be counted at Level 2.

If you gained your Level 2 or Level 3 qualification after 30 June 2016, you need a paediatric first aid certificate within three months of starting work to count towards staffing ratios. The training must be renewed every three years.

If you are unsure whether your qualification meets the requirements, you can use the Department for Education's Check an early years qualification service. Qualifications gained outside the UK need to be recognised first.

The experience-based route

Since 1 September 2025, nurseries have been able to count some staff at Level 3 without a full Level 3 qualification, provided they meet the relevant requirements.

You need a full and relevant Level 2 qualification, or a relevant Level 3 qualification that is not full and relevant, along with at least one year's experience working with young children in England. If your setting assesses you as meeting at least half of the Early Years Educator criteria, you must complete between 751 and 900 hours of supervised practice, equivalent to roughly six months of full-time work. The English and paediatric first aid requirements still apply.

There are a couple of important points to consider if you work across different settings. Your Level 3 status under this route is approved by your setting and does not automatically transfer to another provider. In addition, no more than half of the Level 3 staff on any premises can be counted through this route.

If you plan to work across several nurseries, a full and relevant Level 3 qualification offers greater portability between providers.

Where nursery practitioners work

The core skills are transferable, but staffing requirements and daily routines vary between settings.

• Private day nurseries: These may care for children from babies through to pre-school age and often open for longer days than schools, including during school holidays.
• Pre-schools: These mainly cater for older children before they start school. Many operate around school hours, so term-time positions are common.
• School nursery classes: In maintained schools, the ratio for three- and four-year-olds is one adult to thirteen children, with at least one school teacher and one other member of staff qualified to Level 3. You will usually work during the school day alongside the class teacher.
• Reception classes: In maintained schools and academies, these are subject to infant class size legislation, which allows up to 30 pupils per school teacher in an ordinary lesson. Teaching assistants and other support staff do not count as school teachers, so the role of a nursery practitioner working in reception is generally closer to that of a teaching assistant, supporting the teacher and pupils in the classroom.

What do nurseries look for?

A relevant qualification is important for roles where it is required to meet staffing ratios, alongside the appropriate English qualification and paediatric first aid training. For example, a Level 3 qualification started after August 2014 without the required English qualification counts at Level 2 for staffing purposes.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is also required. You must have the appropriate enhanced criminal records and barred list checks in place before starting work.

Beyond these requirements, expectations vary by setting and role. Nurseries may look for experience with the relevant age group, particularly when working with babies, as well as an understanding of the setting's routines, safeguarding procedures and approach to childcare.

How to find nursery practitioner work

You can apply directly to nurseries, while schools advertise their own nursery and reception vacancies. Working through an agency is another option, particularly if you would like to gain experience in different settings before choosing a longer-term position.

Early Years is one of our founding sectors, and nursery recruitment has been part of Premier since 2001. We place nursery nurses and nursery assistants in private day nurseries, pre-schools and school nursery and reception classes across the North West.

Placements range from part-day assignments arranged at short notice to maternity and sickness cover lasting several months. You are paid weekly by BACS on a Friday, a week in arrears. There is no registration fee, and you have a named consultant who gets to know your experience, strengths and preferred travel distance.

You can find current vacancies on our nursery nurse jobs page, although not all our opportunities are advertised. You can also register your CV and tell us about your qualification level and preferred age group. If you have experience supporting children with additional needs, our SEN jobs may also be relevant. If you manage a nursery and need additional staff, our page for schools and nurseries explains how to arrange cover.

Day-to-day cover suits some practitioners better than others. If you would prefer to work with the same children throughout the year, or your experience-based route depends on remaining with a particular setting, a long-term or permanent position may be more suitable. Let us know your preferences when registering, as we recruit for these roles as well.

Questions

Can I work in a nursery with no qualifications?

Yes. You may be able to start as an unqualified member of staff, often called a nursery assistant. From age 17, you can count towards the adult staffing numbers, but not towards the required Level 2 or Level 3 staff places.

Apprentices aged 16 and over, and students and long-term volunteers aged 17 and over, may count at the level below the one they are studying, provided the setting considers them suitable, competent and responsible and they hold a paediatric first aid certificate.

We also recruit nursery assistants for roles where relevant experience is an important consideration.

Is a nursery nurse the same as a nursery practitioner?

Usually, yes. Employers often use the titles interchangeably, although responsibilities can vary between settings. Checking the qualification level and age group in the advert will give you a clearer idea of what the role involves.

How much does a nursery practitioner earn?

Pay depends on your qualification level, the setting and whether you are working in a permanent or agency role. Published salary ranges may not reflect current vacancies, so it is worth checking the hourly rate and expected weekly hours before accepting a position. When working with us, your pay reflects your qualifications and experience.

Sources

Checked October 2026.

• Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, Department for Education, GOV.UK
• Early years qualification requirements and standards, Department for Education, GOV.UK
• Check an early years qualification, Department for Education, GOV.UK
• Early years qualifications achieved outside the UK, Department for Education, GOV.UK