What this tool is for

It helps you work out which UK childcare role might suit you, based on what actually appeals to you about working with children rather than just a job title you have heard of.

Some people love the idea of teaching a class, others want one to one time, and some are drawn to supporting families through tough patches. The tool takes those preferences and points you towards the paid careers or volunteering roles that tend to fit them.

When to use it

It is aimed at anyone weighing up a move into work with children, whether that is school leavers thinking about college courses, parents returning to work, career changers from a completely different field, or volunteers who want to do more with their time.

It is also useful if you already know you want to work with kids but cannot decide between, say, becoming a teaching assistant, training as a nursery practitioner, or going down the social work or youth work route. If you have already trained and are happy in your role, you probably do not need it.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about what you enjoy, the age group you feel drawn to, how much study you are willing to take on, and your current experience. You then get a plain English summary of the UK roles that match best, with a brief note on training routes and what the day to day involves. Your answers are not saved and the results are guidance to think about, not a formal careers assessment.