What is National Apprenticeship Week?
National Apprenticeship week is all about celebrating the dedication, commitment, and hard work that our Apprentices show in their roles with us. It is a time for us to show our appreciation for those undertaking their studies whilst working with All About Children at our nurseries.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) decided on a theme for National apprenticeship week and this year it’s ‘Build a Future’.
At All About Children we very much believe that we work with not only staff but with children and their families in order to “Build the Future”. It’s in these relationships and our passionate approach to teaching and learning for all that means that all of our people are continuing to develop their skills and knowledge. This also makes our staff great role models for children and families too and encourages partnership working.
How do All About Children support apprentices?
Our Childcare Apprenticeship schemes support our “grow your own” approach to having like-minded people joining our teams and learning all about how we work with children and families and becoming part of our work family.
We support those undertaking apprenticeships by allocating them a mentor at the setting to answer any questions. We allocate dedicated study time to achieve their coursework, supporting them with a company induction which includes 1 to 1 meetings and appraisals along with a training plan to help them in their studies. We celebrate their achievements and once they have completed their studies, are delighted to offer a permanent role within the nursery.
What kind of apprenticeship schemes do All About Children offer?
Our apprentices work alongside our early years’ practitioners learning first-hand about child development, the importance of play and partnerships with parents.
They embark upon an early year’s educator qualification which is delivered by a training provider and supported through regular visits and observations at the setting.
Level 2 Pathway (intermediate apprenticeship)
- You could be a qualified Nursery Assistant within 12 months of starting and move onto the Level 3 pathway to move into full-time work with us.
Level 3 Pathway (advanced apprenticeship)
- Once qualified, pays a competitive salary, significantly higher than the Level 2 pathway.
- You could move into full-time work and become a qualified Early Years Practitioner within 12 to 18 months of starting.
- With hard work and further experience, you can be in a strong position to apply for more senior positions such as Room Leader or Early Years Coordinator.
Meet our apprentices
Ellie – Playtime Nursery Staines
Ellie joined our nursery in Staines in September 2020. Ellie has been completing her level 2 with enthusiasm and confidence whilst with us. Ellie is very motivated and has a keen interest in childcare which helps her to complete her work and learns new skills every day. Ellie is a great asset to the team supporting her practitioners every day.
Why did you choose childcare as a career?
I chose the childcare route because I have always wanted to work with children since being at school, and I have a lot of younger cousins that I look after in my spare time.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an apprentice?
I enjoy that fact that this is different every day, so I am not doing the same thing each day.
What is the best thing about working at Playtime Nursery Staines?
The girls I work with and management team at Staines are supportive, nice and it is a good and friendly environment.
What do you want to do when you have completed your apprenticeship?
I want to complete my Level 3 in childcare and move up in my career from there.
Eden – Scotts Wood Day Nursery
Eden joined our nursery in West Bridgford in October 2020. Eden has joined us at a time where we have had to change the way we run our nursery due to working in support bubbles, which has restricted Eden experiencing mixing with other members of the team and children. However this has not stopped us seeing the skills and efforts she has brought the nursery. Eden has been challenged at the beginning and has found childcare is definitely the route she wishes to pursue. We look forward to seeing Eden flourish as a practitioner.
Why did you choose childcare as a career?
I really enjoy childcare and love children, once I experienced it I really felt it was for me, it is both fun and challenging in good ways. I have had other jobs where I felt that it wasn’t quite right for me but childcare definitely is.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an apprentice?
Every day is so different, learning more, working, and learning on the job and getting lots of hand’s on experience.
What is the best thing about working at Scotts Wood?
It is a great nursery, the children are great, and the staff are warm and welcoming, I feel like I really fit in here.
Courtney – Playtime Shepperton
Courtney joined our nursery in Shepperton in August 2019. Courtney has just finished her Level 2 and has grown as a practitioner with us over the last 18 months. Being young and new to childcare when she started, Courtney has grown in confidence and has been dedicated with her training also building fantastic relationships with the children and parents.
Why did you choose childcare as a career?
I chose childcare as a career as I come from a big family and I really enjoy being around children and watching them develop.
What do you enjoy most about your role as an apprentice?
I enjoy gaining help from other members of staff to help me grow with my learning, observing the children and watching them grow.
What is the best thing about working at Playtime Shepperton?
The best thing about working at Playtime Shepperton is working with such a great team and lovely children. We have such a beautiful nursery with lots of resources.
What do you want to do when you have completed your apprenticeship?
Once I have completed my level 3, I hope to train up to become a room leader, this is something I’ve liked the sound of ever since I started working at Playtime Shepperton and hope to do so in the future.
Millie – Bambinos Day Nursery
Millie joined our nursery in High Wycombe in December 2019. Millie has worked really hard since joining our team. Millie is able to show in practice what she learns everyday and is able to lead small groups of children and at times puts her efforts of being a practitioner in leading the room. Ellie works very hard at Bambinos Day Nursery and everyday you can see she is passionate about her role.
Why did you choose childcare as a career?
From the time I was old enough to work, I had always gone down the path of childcare, starting from helping at summer camps and babysitting for my neighbours. My mum also worked in a nursery at my age and often spoke to me about furthering my knowledge and experience with children-knowing I would love it!
What do you enjoy most about your role as an apprentice?
My favourite part of my role as an apprentice is seeing and helping the development of the children and watching them grow, meet milestones and explore the world around them.
What is the best thing about working at Bambinos?
The best thing about working at Bambinos is the incredible staff and support I have. Everyone is so kind and helpful- I couldn’t ask for a better team.
What do you want to do when you have completed your apprenticeship?
Once I have completed my level 3, I hope to train up to become a room leader, this is something I’ve liked the sound of ever since I started working at Bambinos and hope to do so in the future.
All About Children are very proud of the work that our apprentices carry out every day, the new skills they learn, the challenges the face and the work they put in to completing their modules. We see each of our apprentices work hard, grow with confidence and enthusiasm and this contributes to the flourishing individual practitioners they become.
Well done and thank you to all our apprentices that work with us!
For more information about our apprentice roles and programmes, take a look at our current nursery apprentice jobs today. Alternatively, find out more by contacting us today.