Hiring and Sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants (SOC Code 6111)

Early Education and Childcare Assistants, classified under SOC Code 6111, are essential professionals in the early years sector who support the development and care of young children. Their roles are pivotal to fostering a nurturing environment that encourages learning and growth. 

• Key Responsibilities:
  • Supervision: Work under the guidance of more experienced practitioners to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
  • Care: Provide basic care needs including bathing, dressing, feeding, and changing for infants.
  • Activity Planning: Organize games and activities that stimulate young children's physical, emotional, and intellectual development.
  • Play Supervision: Oversee children’s playtime, ensuring it is safe, engaging, and conducive to learning.
  • Educational Support: Read stories, engage in counting games, and facilitate language development.
  • Communication: Regularly communicate with parents and colleagues about children’s progress and well-being.

With an increasing recognition of the importance of early childhood education, the demand for skilled childcare assistants continues to rise. As a result, many educational institutions and childcare facilities are looking to recruit talent not only locally but also from overseas. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the hiring and sponsorship process for early education and childcare assistants under the UK's immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Early education and childcare assistants?

SOC Code 6111 refers to early education and childcare assistants who support the development and well-being of young children in various educational settings. Their responsibilities can include:

• Assisting experienced practitioners: Working under the guidance of more qualified educators to enhance learning experiences.
• Caring for infants: Bathing, dressing, and preparing food for babies, as well as attending to their needs, including clothing changes when necessary.
• Supervising mealtimes: Overseeing young children during meals to ensure safety and proper behavior.
• Planning activities: Organizing games and other engaging activities to promote children's play and development.
• Facilitating learning: Reading stories and conducting counting games to support language acquisition and early numeracy skills.
• Communicating with stakeholders: Engaging with parents and colleagues about children’s growth, development, and well-being.

Early education and childcare assistants play a vital role in fostering positive early learning environments, contributing to children's cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Eligibility to Hire Early education and childcare assistants (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Early education and childcare assistants must demonstrate a passion for child development and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Supervision Skills: Ability to work under the supervision of more experienced practitioners while providing attentive care to young children.
• Childcare Experience: Experience in bathing, dressing, feeding, and changing babies' clothing as necessary.
• Activity Planning: Skills in planning and organizing games and activities, as well as supervising children during playtime.
• Educational Engagement: Ability to read stories and organize counting games to enhance children's language and number skills.
• Communication: Proficient in communicating with parents and colleagues regarding children's development and well-being.
• Qualifications: While formal education may vary, coursework or certifications in early childhood education can be advantageous.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 6111 and that the individual’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants under SOC Code 6111.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Early education and childcare assistants, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Early education and childcare assistants under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Early education and childcare assistants. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Early education and childcare assistants applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Early education and childcare assistants’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Early education and childcare assistants can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Early education and childcare assistants

Before the Early education and childcare assistants begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Early education and childcare assistants’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Early education and childcare assistants holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Early education and childcare assistants’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Early education and childcare assistants’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Early education and childcare assistantss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants

Sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants under SOC Code 6111 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Early education and childcare assistants under SOC Code 6111 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.