What is the salary of a nursery assistant?

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The world of Early Childhood is a constantly expanding professional sector, with many career opportunities for those who are passionate about the well-being and education of young children. One of the key professions in this field is that of the nursery assistant, who plays an essential role in supporting toddlers within Early Childhood structures.

Training and the profession of educational assistant

The nursery assistant or educational assistant works in nurseries, daycare centers or leisure centers. Its main missions are varied and consist of assisting educators of young children and ensuring the well-being, safety and development of children while their parents work.

The duties of the educational assistant include preparing educational activities, supporting children in their daily activities, supporting hygiene and monitoring naptime. By working alongside other members of the team, the nursery assistant helps to create an environment conducive to the development of little ones.

To work as an educational assistant, the most common training is the Early Childhood Educational Support CAP (AEPE). It provides the skills needed to work effectively with young children. After obtaining the CAP, a nursery assistant can enter the job market with the skills necessary to assist childcare assistants and educators.

This job requires infinite patience, great listening skills, and a sense of contact with children. Creativity is also a valuable asset for organizing stimulating and educational activities.

Empathy, kindness and the ability to work as a team are fundamental qualities to ensure a safe and loving environment for children.

What does an educational assistant earn per month?

The salary of a daycare assistant varies depending on several factors, including experience, level of training, geographic location and employer structure.

In general, a beginner educational assistant can expect a gross monthly salary of around the minimum wage, around €2 gross per month - around €500 net per month. However, with experience and additional training, remuneration can increase significantly.

What does the variation in wages depend on?

Several factors influence salary variations among nursery assistants:

  • The first is professional experience. Early Childhood professionals who have spent several years in this profession tend to be better paid than beginners.
  • Geographic location is another key factor. Salaries can vary significantly from region to region due to different costs of living and demand for skilled personnel.
  • Additional training is also a way to increase remuneration. For example, an educational assistant can obtain a DEAP, which is more advanced training and provides more complete preparation. This diploma allows access to a position as a childcare assistant, which is more remunerative.

Career development towards other professions in the Early Childhood sector

During their career, the educational assistant can progress to another profession. By pursuing additional training, a nursery assistant can become a childcare assistant or even an educator of young children, which opens the way to greater responsibilities and higher salaries.

For this, the nursery assistant can resume studies: 

  • a DEAP (the State Diploma of Childcare Assistant) in order to qualify for the profession of childcare assistant,
  • a DEEJE (the State Diploma for Early Childhood Educator) to apply as an EJE.

There are other paths to professional development as an auxiliary. If the educational assistant does not wish to return to school, it is possible to carry out a VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience), a measure allowing the acquired experience to be validated for professional certification. .

It is also possible to become a parental assistant, a job where you look after children directly in your home. To do this, you must obtain approval authorizing the practice of this profession.

If an educational assistant no longer wishes to work in nurseries but in nursery schools, he or she can become an ATSEM (Specialized Territorial Agent for Nursery Schools). As he already has a CAP Early Childhood qualification, he can apply directly for the competition.

 

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