Children sitting in the forest with their teacher reading a book

Choosing the right place to work

Nurseries: Where the best Early Years Careers begin

Choosing a career in Early Years education can be overwhelming—there are so many options! Whether you’re after a full-time teaching role, part-time work while studying, or the right work experience, understanding the benefits of working in a nursery can help you make an informed choice.


We spoke to Mandy Cuttler, Head of Pedagogy, Learning and Development at London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). With years of experience starting as a nanny and moving into teaching, Mandy has built an inspiring career in nurseries and believes they’re the best place to grow professionally. 

Here’s why nurseries are the perfect environment for your Early Years career: 

Pedagogy Ropes (copyright)

“The pedagogy will help you to deliver the best education to children.”

Pedagogy is all about how we guide children to learn. In a nursery, the pedagogy is designed to support the curriculum and help you create meaningful learning experiences for children in your room.

At LEYF, our social pedagogy has 7 key strands that reflects on global research and thinkers like Froebel and Montessori, with insights from neuroscience and social sciences. You’ll have the opportunity to shape your teaching using this solid foundation, while still being creative and bringing learning to life your way.

A LEYF degree teacher working one-on-one with an Early Years Teacher during a training session at our Marsham Street Nursery

“Your career could go places you’d never even imagined.”

Nurseries, especially in larger groups, open doors to incredible opportunities. You can climb the career ladder from Early Years Teacher to Nursery Manager, or specialise in areas like Special Educational Needs, sustainability, and more.

At LEYF, we’re committed to supporting your growth with tailored training from our Institute of Early Years, coaching from your manager, and even our Early Years Degree.

LEYF Early Years employees celebrating at their graduation ceremony after completing the Early Years degree in Childcare

“Training opportunities are tailored to you and your role.”

Training in a nursery setting is often more specialized and in-depth than in other Early Years environments, like childminding or schools. Nurseries focus on the 0-5 age range, which is crucial for a child’s development. The training is tailored to the needs of young children, ensuring you gain the specific skills needed to support their learning and growth.

Trainers who have worked in Early Years settings often lead these programs. At LEYF, our whole training team have worked in Early Years settings and between them have a vast array of experience and career journeys, which means we understand the joys and challenges of working with young children and their families.

A LEYF Pedagogy Coach observing and mentoring a Nursery Teacher in the classroom, discussing our LEYF pedagogy and the best practices for supporting children's development.

“There’s extra support to help you be your best.”

In a nursery, you’ll typically have a structure of support. This might include Teachers, Room Managers, Deputies, and Nursery Managers. In larger nursery groups, additional support teams, such as Learning and Development and Area Managers, provide help across multiple nurseries. This network ensures you're never on your own and always have someone to turn to for guidance and advice.

For example, at LEYF, our Pedagogy Coaches offer one-on-one, “in-the-moment” coaching to help you improve your teaching practice. This ongoing support is designed to help you grow and refine your skills as an educator. Our central support teams and nursery colleagues are always available to help with anything you need, whether it's IT support, marketing a job vacancy or open space, training, or something else.

Two LEYF colleagues laughing together during a break, highlighting the friendly and supportive work environment

“Having a team around you makes every day more FUN.”

Nurseries are highly collaborative environments where you’ll work alongside a diverse team of people. Whether your nursery has 10 staff members or 45, you’ll build strong working relationships with colleagues, and that sense of community can make a big difference in your daily experience. The support from your team can help you tackle challenges, stay motivated, and enjoy the rewards of working in a nursery.

Children at a LEYF nursery putting toys into donation boxes for a local community charity, demonstrating the organisation's commitment to social impact

“You’ll work and interact with people from all walks of life.”

One of the best parts of working in a nursery is the diversity of people you meet - children, parents and colleagues who bring unique experiences and perspectives.

At LEYF, our nurseries reflect the multicultural areas of London they’re in, and we make a real impact through local community work like food and clothes banks. These connections enrich the nursery environment and provide a shared sense of purpose for everyone involved.

So what’s next? 

If we’ve inspired you to delve down the nursery career route, reach out to discuss next steps. If you’re still not 100% sure, we can support you and answer any questions you may have. Get in touch via the form below! 

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