Unsure whether to aim for a Teaching Assistant (school‑age), a Nursery Assistant, or an Early Years role? This guide compares ages, settings, day‑to‑day work, qualifications/placements, hours, and progression—so you can pick the route that fits your life and goals.

At a glance: key differences

• Ages & framework — TA: 5–16 (National Curriculum). Nursery/Early Years: 0–5 (EYFS).
• Settings — TA: primary/secondary/special schools. Nursery/EY: nurseries, pre‑schools, reception.
• Focus — TA: classroom learning, interventions, behaviour routines. Nursery/EY: care routines + play‑based learning, developmental milestones.
• Qualifications — TA: STL Level 3 (Award/Certificate/Diploma). Nursery/EY: Early Years‑specific (e.g., Children and Young People’s Workforce Level 2 Certificate), many nurseries prefer Level 3 EYE for ratios.
• Placements — TA: L3 Award = none; L3 Cert/Dip = school placement. Nursery/EY: usually required to build competence and meet ratios.
• Hours — TA: often term‑time, school‑day. Nursery/EY: year‑round, shifts over longer days.
• Progression — TA: HLTA, SEND/pastoral, teacher training. Nursery/EY: Room Leader → Deputy/Manager, EY SENCO.

Day‑to‑day: what each role looks like

• Teaching Assistant (school‑age) — supports whole‑class input, runs small groups/1:1s, prepares resources, follows behaviour routines, logs notes for teacher/DSL.
• Nursery Assistant — supports care routines (snacks, naps, toileting), sets up play areas, observes milestones, communicates with parents, follows ratios and safeguarding.
• Early Years Practitioner/Educator — plans and leads EYFS activities, key‑person responsibilities, assessment/observations, supports team practice and environment setup.

Qualifications & placements

• TA route (school‑age) — Level 3 Award (knowledge‑only, no placement), Level 3 Certificate (placement required), Level 3 Diploma (broader competence). Progress later to Level 4 HLTA when experienced.
• Nursery/Early Years route — Study from Home offers the Children and Young People’s Workforce Level 2 Certificate. Many nurseries also look for Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) to count in ratios.
• DBS — schools/settings arrange checks for placements/work. Study from Home does not apply for DBS checks.

Hours, holidays & lifestyle

• TA roles — popular with parents/carers: term‑time patterns and school‑day hours are common.
• Nursery/EY roles — typically year‑round with early/late shifts across a longer day.

Switching routes (transferable skills)

• EY → School — EYFS experience helps with routines and early literacy; many schools still prefer STL qualifications, so some candidates add the L3 STL Award/Cert.
• School → EY — classroom skills transfer, but for ratio‑counted roles settings may ask for an Early Years‑recognised qualification (often Level 3 EYE). L2 Children & Young People’s Workforce is a good starting point.

Which path fits you?

• Choose TA (school‑age) — you enjoy lesson‑time support, interventions and term‑time hours.
• Choose Nursery/EY — you love care routines, play‑based learning and close parent communication.
• Still unsure? — start with the L3 STL Award (no placement) or explore the L2 Children & Young People’s Workforce and speak to local employers about requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Teaching Assistant the same as a Nursery Assistant?

No. TAs usually work in schools (5–16) supporting classroom learning; Nursery Assistants work in EYFS settings (0–5) with care routines and play‑based learning.

Can a Level 3 TA (STL) work in a nursery?

Some settings may hire for assistant roles, but to be counted in ratios many nurseries prefer an Early Years‑recognised qualification (often Level 3 EYE). Our Children & Young People’s Workforce L2 is a good entry route.

Can a Level 3 Early Years Educator work as a TA?

Yes—experience transfers well—but many schools prefer STL qualifications because they’re designed around classroom practice. Some candidates add the STL L3 Award/Certificate.

Do I need a placement?

STL Level 3 Award does not require a placement; the Certificate/Diploma and most Early Years qualifications usually do.

Who sorts DBS checks?

Employers/placements arrange DBS. Study from Home does not apply for DBS checks on your behalf.