If you love spending time with children and want to make a career out of it, there are several fulfilling and meaningful jobs to consider that allow you to work closely with young people every day. Here are 8 great careers for people who adore kids.
8 Great Careers for People Who Love Kids
Teacher
One of the most popular careers for people who enjoy working with children is teaching. As a teacher in a primary or secondary school, you get to interact with kids on a daily basis, nurture their development, and help shape their future. There are opportunities to teach a variety of subjects to different age groups in both public and private schools across the UK. It’s an extremely rewarding career watching your students grow over the school year.
Childminder
If you prefer looking after children in a more intimate home environment, working as a childminder could be the perfect role for you. Childminders care for small groups of children in their own home during the workday. It allows you to give lots of one-on-one attention to help each child thrive. You’ll develop close bonds with the children under your care while providing a safe, caring environment for them to play and learn.
Nursery Worker
Nursery workers provide care and early learning opportunities for preschool-aged children. This involves planning and leading fun educational activities, supervising meals/naptimes, and helping with general care. Nursery workers get to nurture children during their vital early years of development. It’s a lively, energetic job for those who enjoy working with young kids.
Play Therapist
Play therapy uses a child’s natural mode of expression – play – to help them address any emotional or behavioural issues. As a play therapist, you’ll use toys, games, art, role play and other creative methods to help children express themselves, process difficult experiences, and support their development. It requires specialised training but is incredibly rewarding.
Foster Carer
Foster carers welcome children into their own homes and families when they are unable to live with their birth parents. It is an opportunity to provide stability, safety and nurturing care to a child who needs it. Foster carers receive payment and support. As a foster carer with fcascotland.co.uk, you’ll give vulnerable children the individual love and attention they need to heal, grow and thrive.
Paediatrician
If you’re fascinated by child development and want to pursue medicine, becoming a paediatrician is a great option. Paediatricians are medical doctors who specialise in treating babies, children and teenagers. They diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, monitor growth and development, and provide preventative healthcare. It takes extensive training but paediatricians play a crucial role in keeping kids healthy.
Youth Worker
Youth workers help adolescents develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to reach their potential. They run programmes and activities to address issues like unemployment, homelessness, mental health, relationships and offending behaviour. As a youth worker, you’ll provide guidance, counselling and support to young people who need help getting their lives on track. It’s a role where you can truly make a difference.
Social Worker
Social workers who specialise in helping children assist minors facing abuse, neglect, foster care, disabilities, or other challenges. They advocate for the child’s wellbeing, connect them with services, provide counselling, work with families, and ensure children are in safe environments. Child social workers play a critical role in protecting vulnerable young people and promoting their healthy development.
If you have a natural rapport with young people, there are many fulfilling careers that allow you to do what you love every day while also benefiting children. Follow your passion to find the perfect kid-friendly career for you!
