Are you great with children?

To have a natural rapport with children is a great gift. Whether or not you have your own, you probably already happily help out with children in some way or other (Scouts or Brownies, Sunday school, riding school…).

How to develop your natural talent

First things first
Ask yourself some important questions. Is it the company of children in general you enjoy, or just your children? Perhaps the overriding quality needed to work with children is the temperament to accept and adapt to the many different ways of bringing them up.

What kinds of interaction do you most enjoy?
• Are you a natural teacher?
• Or more of a carer/nurturer?
• Do you have a creative talent to pass on (art, dance, music, sport)?
• How good are your financial and organisational skills?
• Do you relate best to babies, children or teenagers?

Learn more
Even as a volunteer, caring for other people’s children is a big social responsibility. Modern health-and-safety and child-protection rules preclude an amateur approach, so most organisations will need you to have (and help you to acquire):
• Clearance from the Criminal Record Bureau
• A relevant first-aid qualification
Beyond this, training in ‘early years care and education’ is the baseline for working with under-eights (excluding babies) and is essential for self-development. There’s more flexibility working with older children, but take the chance to do short courses wherever possible to boost your skills and add to your confidence.

Seek a work placement
Good sources of work experience:
• Nursery schools or playgroups
• After-school and holiday clubs
• Disability charities
• Sports and youth clubs

Your hobby has become a passion when...
• Mothers offer you bribes to set up a playgroup in their area
• Your back garden looks like a scaled-down SAS assault course
• Your Sunday-morning cycling tours are booked for six months

Go further, commit yourself
Working with children often becomes a passion – just as well, as many roles are voluntary. If home-based, you can set up as a childminder (you need to be registered). Or give private sessions in a specialism, eg:
• Music
• Baby massage and yoga
• School-subject coaching

Seeking a bigger challenge?
Why not take on long-term extra-curricular activities, eg:
• Run a drama society
• Run a band or orchestra,
• Run a sports team or club

Develop a range of skills
Organisation and fundraising, diplomacy and leadership are skills that will be very valuable if you decide to set up a business. In any event, your reward will be the difference you will make to children’s lives, seen in their enjoyment and achievements.

Towards a child-based business
There is a great need for rural children’s services but it is hard to make them pay their way. A sound head for finances and marketing, passion, planning and attention to detail will give you a fighting chance of success. Consider starting off part-time. Proven business ideas include:
• Ballet, riding or music school
• Party organiser/entertainer
• Nursery
• Nanny agency
• Out-of-school club
• Independent school
• Home tuition
• Counselling, therapy
• Outdoor adventure camp

Resources for natural leaders
SureStart www.childcarecareers.gov.uk Official one-stop shop for information
Early Years, Childcare and Playwork Qualifications http://eypquals.cwdcouncil.org.uk/public Guide to qualifications
Local childcare services 0800 096 0296 www.childcarelink.gov.uk Good for contacts
National Childminding Association 0845 880 0044; www.ncma.org.uk
Scottish Childminding Association 01786 445377; www.childminding.org
Northern Ireland Childminding Association 028 9181 1015; www.nicma.org
Sports and coaching information www.sportscoachuk.org
National Day Nurseries Association 0870 774 4244; www.ndna.org.uk
The Pre-School Learning Alliance 020 7697 2500; www.pre-school.org.uk
4 Children 020 7512 2112; www.4children.org.uk Play, learning, out-of-school charity
www.raisingkids.co.uk Resources and information on children from babies to teens