Introduction

Do you want a job that gives you the chance to make a real difference to children’s lives? Are you looking for an opportunity to do something a bit more rewarding, where no two days are the same?

If the answer is yes, then get in touch now, or read the following to find out more about working in early years and childcare in Somerset.

Somerset is looking for more people to join this growing and diverse sector so that we can provide more places and more choices for families. There are many routes to starting a career in the early years, with new, unique and exciting job opportunities available for everyone – regardless of age, gender or background. You could even look at volunteering with a charity or community group to gain some valuable experience to see if it’s a career you would like to pursue.

If you would like to find out more about a job in the early years, or about the training and qualifications available, get in touch with the Early Years Team by emailing EarlyYearsTeam@somerset.gov.uk

Jobs in Somerset (previously known as DAS – Dillington Advertising Services), Somerset Council’s in-house advertising agency now offering the opportunity for all early years providers to promote their vacancies to a wider audience on Jobs in Somerset.

• Wider exposure for your vacancy with almost 6000 weekly visitors and 53,000 page views.
• Candidates are linked straight through to your site for applying.
• Job application forms, job descriptions, and other supporting information can be uploaded directly to the Jobs in Somerset site – no printing required.
• Completed applications sent directly to your inbox – no posting or envelopes needed.
• Your logo on your advert.
• Discounted rates on external printed publications and job boards.

Please visit Jobs in Somerset to view the site features.

For more information or to advertise on the website, phone the team on 01823 357739 or get in touch via the contact form.

Looking for a job

You can find job vacancies working in adults and children’s social care on our Social care pages.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for staff working in schools and early years settings

Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning (SCIL) offers a variety of professional training opportunities to staff working with children in the early years and school sectors. We work in partnership with a variety of awarding bodies such as Council for Awards in Children’s Education (CACHE), City and Guilds, Institute for Leadership and Management, to deliver the training courses practitioners need to respond to national and local changes. Some examples of the training we offer are:

• First Aid
• Safeguarding
• Early Years Initial Teacher Training
• Foundation degrees
• Honours degrees

To see a full list of training that is relevant to early years and school staff, visit our training page.

Somerset SCITT

The Somerset SCITT website provides full details on our foundation degrees and our practical and highly-rated PGCE courses in primary teaching and early years, which give you a Qualified Teacher Status.

Chaperones

Children who take part in public performances or entertainment under a licence issued by the local authority must be supervised by an approved chaperone – unless they are in the care of their parent or an agreed tutor.

The role of the chaperone is to protect the child’s health, safety and welfare while they are where the performance is taking place.

Approved chaperones are essential to make sure that proper provision is made to secure a child’s health, safety and welfare while they are where the performance is taking place.

Chaperones are required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check as part of the approval process. There is a cost of £45 for this check and this will be invoiced to paid chaperones.