Christine Said:

A career as a nursery nurse? UK?

We Answered:

Hi Laura.

There are two main options to becoming a nursery nurse.

1) Attend college to study a child care qualification, in colleges and sixth forms, they now tend to teach the BTEC Nationals in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
This course is a 2 year course, where you do 4 placements in a variety of childcare settings.

2) Do an apprenticeship in childcare. (I think this is what you meant by working & doing your qualification at the same time). These are quite competitive as you do get paid for working, whereas if you go to college, the placements won't pay you, but you may be entitled to EMA.
You would have to research apprenticeship training places for childcare in your area, as many nurseries won't just hire you - you need an assessor to help with your work, these are at the training offices.
You may be offered a job once you qualify, that is at the nursery's discretion. They may decide they don't need any staff & don't employ you as a level 3 nursery nurse even when you do qualify. Although, yes you could be offered a job with them.

Connexions cannot sort a placement out for you, though they will definitely help you find courses and apprenticeship training offices.
It may be too late to get into college, however, you'd be best phoning individual colleges & explaining your situation, a lot of students won't get the required grades, therefore, not getting places which you could take.
Apprenticeships tend to begin September & January.

Jon Said:

UK nursing - is it possible....?

We Answered:

No answers! I am surprised.......look on the web......phone around eg. college, university, they are usually very helpful.
goodluck.