Career pathway

Wider system intermediate roles are typically a light step into leadership. 

Children and young people need enriching care and learning opportunities to meet their full potential in life. This begins in the early years settings they attend such as:

• Nurseries and clubs
• The various services they and their families might access like:
  • Family hubs
  • Voluntary support services 
  • Early childhood and family services

There are therefore many roles in the wider system. For example, you might:

• Supervise staff and organise activities as a nursery room leader
• Support families in their home alongside social workers
• Work in an administration or project role if you don't want to work face-to-face with children

What you'll need

You'll usually need a minimum of a level 3 qualification as well as relevant job experience. Some employers might expect a level 4 qualification.

Employers, especially in nursery roles, often look for first aid certificates. You might be able to complete this on the job.

If you are working in an administrative role, administrative and business qualifications or equivalent experience are usually expected. Child related studies are not required. 

More in-depth knowledge of working with children is useful at this level. Usually, you'll progress from associate roles.

See the core skills you need to work with children

Types of roles

• Nursery room leader/deputy manager - including special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). This role is in charge of a section of the nursery like the baby room. The role also oversees the staff that work in that area.
• Early childhood and family service (ECFS) practitioner - coordinating and directing support to children and providing interventions which may be specialised
• Voluntary sector manager - managing a branch of the service as well as staff
• There are various support roles available in services. You could work in an admin lead role, as part of a project, in digital or IT specialist roles, or in service improvements.