To become a nursery teacher, complete a nursery or early years teacher-training course, build hands-on experience with young children, and meet any background checks or local qualification rules. Training is offered at certificate, diploma and PG diploma levels to match your background. The practical route combines three things: relevant training, hands-on experience with young children, and meeting your area’s safeguarding and qualification rules. The reliable formula is training, hands-on experience and meeting local checks and rules.
Get the right training
Nursery teacher training covers child development, play-based learning, routines, safety and responsive teaching. Choose the level that matches your education and goals.
This gives you the knowledge base employers expect.
Gain practical experience
Experience with young children — through placements, volunteering or assisting — is often as important as the certificate itself.
It builds confidence and gives you real examples for interviews.
Meet local requirements
Many countries require safeguarding or background checks and may have specific qualification expectations for nursery staff.
Check these early so you can plan to meet them.
Apply and keep developing
Prepare a CV that highlights your training and experience, and continue professional development once in post.
Ongoing learning strengthens your practice and progression.
Building experience that employers trust
Experience is often decisive in early years hiring, so seek opportunities to be around young children while you train — volunteering, assisting, or placements all count. These give you real examples to discuss and show you can apply what you have learned.
Keep a simple record of the settings you have worked in, the ages you have supported and the responsibilities you held. Combined with your training and any required checks, this makes for a convincing application.
Turning preparation into a first role
When applying, present your training and experience together, with concrete examples of supporting young children’s care and learning.
Warm, relevant references and evidence of safeguarding awareness reassure employers, for whom trust is paramount in early years roles.
Tailoring each application to the specific setting — its age range, ethos and routines — shows genuine interest and improves your chances.
What to check
- A suitable nursery or early years course
- Practical experience with young children
- Local safeguarding or background checks
- Any country-specific qualification rules
- A CV highlighting training and experience
- Ways to gain early years experience
- A record of settings and responsibilities
Important distinction
A training certificate supports your application but may not satisfy every country’s statutory requirements for nursery staff. Confirm local rules before relying on it.
Related quick questions
Do I need experience to start training?
Are background checks required?
Can I train online?
How much experience do I need?
Can I gain experience while studying?
What records should I keep?
What should a nursery application highlight?
Do references matter?
Related LCT pathway
The Nursery Teacher Training pathway at London College of Teachers is the most directly related programme.
Explore Nursery Teacher Training