Mature student...change of career, help please

I presume the sort of role you're looking for is similar to the following: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/playworker

The entry requirements for Level 3 qualifications tend to be GCSEs at 5 A*-Cs (including Maths and English). There is no requirement for experience prior to doing the qualification, as far as I can tell (from sampling courses from 4-5 colleges). There are online and in person courses, but the courses will vary in quality. Should you not be sure, it's a good idea to check if your local collge offers such a course, and check their entry requirements.
Most courses should be online, or allow you to do things online, considering we're still in the middle of a pandemic. As you have done A Levels already, you might not get loans or funding for the qualification though.

I wouldn't try to shoot to far ahead for a master's if it's not needed - made that mistake myself. Having said that, the master degrees in subjects related to childcare don't seem to have any specific requirements to what you have studied, so long you have a 2:1 degree, but you might want to shop around. (For some masters' you will need to have studied the subject or something related in order to do it e.g. engineering, physics, economics; childcare doesn't seem to be one of them, but you might want to check the specific uni for the course you want.)

I wouldn't say you're bonkers. I'm planning to change careers and go into either scientific research or engineering myself. People can change careers during their life. If you told me that you're planning to do a completely different set of degrees and end up having 5-6 in total, then I might raise the odd eyebrow, but not if you're doing something supplementary.
I'd do a MBTI personality test and look at their career suggestions for a second opinion, as well as talking to some of the people who are already in the role.

Hello, I have been researching things for a while and I'm confused so I thought I'd post on here and see if anyone has any advice for me.

So...I'm a 31 year old female who left school, did A levels and then went to work for a large engineering firm whereby I achieved a BTEC in Manufacturing Engineering, Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

I have been working there for the past 12 years and have since had 2 children. I work 3 days a week and have a management position so earn a comfortable wage for just the 3 day a week that I work.
My dad pressured me into engineering when I was younger, and although I am comfortable and appreciative that I have a great job, it does not fulfil me.

My youngest child starts school next September and I plan to remain on 3 days a week in engineering and do something else for the other 2, possibly as a volunteer. I love children, I find them fascinating and often feel I took the wrong career path.

I was on LinkedIn recently and a job advert popped up, a Play Specialist working at a local hospital with poorly children, and part-time too. It made me wonder what I'd have to do to do a Level 3 NVQ type course in childcare as that is what the role required. I'd also like to work in a nursery, or school. I don't plan to quit engineering completely, I do enjoy my job, but I don't want to waste my life solely doing that as I'm not passionate about it.

To do a level 3 in childcare, do I need prior experience/qualifications?
Could I do a course mainly online, with some volunteering to get my experience? If so, do you recommend any specific provider?
Could I do a masters in something childcare related? I assume not but have heard of other people doing a completely different masters to their degree.
Am I bonkers? Or do you have any general advice for me? I have been feeling very unsure about my career path for the past few years and feel I now need to do something about it.

I apologise for the essay.

Thank you, Hayley