What do early childhood studies graduates do?

With a degree in early childhood studies, graduates can make a difference in a variety of fields from education and health to childcare

This article is part of a series exploring the outcomes of graduates from subjects that are not included in What do graduates do?

According to the latest Graduate Outcomes data, most early childhood studies graduates were in employment 15 months after completing their degree. Full-time work (53.1%) was the most common destination, followed by part-time employment (14.9%). A small proportion were unemployed (6.5%), which is slightly above the overall graduate average of 6.2% but still relatively low.

Among those who had not participated in any further study at the time they were surveyed, six of the ten most frequently reported occupations were within education. Common roles included:

• Primary education teaching professionals
• Early education and childcare practitioners
• Early education and childcare assistants
• Educational support assistants
• Teaching assistants
• Early education and childcare services managers
• Care workers and home carers
• Youth and community workers
• Welfare and housing associate professionals (not elsewhere classified).

For graduates who undertook further study, employment outcomes were even more closely aligned with the education sector. All ten of the most commonly reported occupations among this group were education‑related:

• Primary education teaching professionals
• Early education and childcare practitioners
• Teaching assistants
• Educational support assistants
• Early education and childcare assistants
• Teaching professionals (n.e.c.)
• Early education and childcare services managers
• Nursery education teaching professionals
• Other vocational and industrial trainers
• Special and additional needs education teaching professionals.

These graduates were also more likely to secure specific education‑related roles. For example, 36.6% of those who pursued further study were working as primary education teaching professionals, compared with 13.7% of those who did not.

,Percentage of early childhood studies graduates
Employment and further study,10.3
Full-time employment,49.1
Full-time further study,7.5
Other including travel caring for someone or retired,7.9
Part-time employment,15.5
Part-time further study,0.7
Unemployment,6.8
Unknown pattern of employment,0.7
Voluntary or unpaid work,1.5

Further study

7.5% early childhood studies graduates chose to pursue full-time further study after completing their degree, with a further 10.3% reporting that they were working while studying. Of that, 61% were doing a postgraduate diploma or certificate, 15.7% were doing a professional qualification, and 16.8% said that they were doing a masters course when surveyed.

,Percentage of early childhood studies graduates in further study
Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE),61
Masters  (such as MA or MSc),16.8
Professional qualification,15.7
Undergraduate degree (such as BA or BSc),3.2
Foundation degree,1.1
Doctorate,1.1

Early childhood studies graduates enter a range of sectors, reflecting the broad skillset developed during their degree. However, most were working in roles directly related to their studies: 45.6% were employed in education and a further 34.9% in childcare, health, and education‑related occupations.

Smaller proportions were working in legal, social and welfare roles (7.0%), retail, catering and customer service positions (6.4%), and clerical, secretarial and administrative jobs (3.0%).

55% of early childhood studies graduates were in professional-level employment, a figure well below the overall graduate average of 72%. However, many of those in non professional roles still reported positive experiences and a strong sense of purpose.

Among graduates who completed the graduate voice questions, 93% said their work felt meaningful, 84% reported using the skills gained on their course, and 84% felt their role aligned with their future plans. Although levels were slightly lower among those not in professional level jobs, most still described positive outcomes: 89% felt their work was meaningful, 77% said it fitted with their career plans, and 77% reported using skills developed during their studies.

Location of employment

Early childhood studies graduates were employed across the UK, with London accounting for the largest share (18.9%). The South East was the second most common destination, particularly areas such as Kent, Oxfordshire and West Sussex. Graduates also frequently reported working in Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, making the West Midlands another notable employment location.

Salaries

Early childhood studies graduates who did not pursue further study were earning an average of £24,729, 15 months after graduation, below the overall graduate average of £30,030. This earnings gap partly reflects the time required to complete teacher training after earning their degree. Graduates who progress into primary teaching can earn up to £40,000 as experienced classroom teachers, while early years educators taking on supervisory or managerial roles can earn around £32,000.1

Many graduates also enter education, social work, or community services - professions that typically offer lower starting salaries than fields such as business, technology, or engineering, which further contributes to the difference in early career earnings.

Notes:

1. Childhood & Youth Studies degrees, The complete University Guide, 2024.

Written by

Micha-Shannon Smith

Information analyst

Prospects Luminate