If you’re contemplating a career in early-years education, you’re in for an incredibly rewarding journey. The field of childcare offers a unique chance to make a profound impact on young lives, setting the foundation for their future development.
At Happy Days Nurseries, we’re passionate about nurturing talent through our early years apprenticeship programmes, and we want to show you why this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
In this blog, we detail each of the key considerations and stages in completing your apprenticeship, and we’ve also produced a podcast series with an episode dedicated to each section of this blog. Read on to find out more!
1. The Benefits of Joining Early Years as an Apprentice
Stepping into the world of early years as an apprentice is not just about finding a job; it’s about making a difference. Working with children at such a formative age allows you to play a crucial role in their development.
Witnessing their first milestones, whether it’s taking their first steps or speaking their first words, is immensely fulfilling. As an apprentice, you’ll see these moments unfold and share the joy with parents, who appreciate your contribution to their child’s growth.
The experience gained from an early years apprenticeship is invaluable. You’ll learn about yourself and what you’re capable of achieving, along with giving you a fantastic entry point into the profession.
With us, you’ll gain practical experience, receive support for your studies, and be mentored on a one-to-one basis by mentors and assessors with a wealth of experience from various childcare roles.
Plus, starting early opens up significant career development opportunities, and as you grow in your role, you’ll find numerous pathways for advancement within the early years sector.
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
2. How to Prepare for a Childcare Apprenticeship
Preparing for an apprenticeship at Happy Days is straightforward; all you need is a willingness to learn. We offer various levels of qualifications: Level 2 for Early Years Practitioners, Level 3 for Early Years Educators, and Level 5 for Lead Practitioners and Nursery Management.
A Grade C (or 4 under new gradings) in English and Maths is beneficial, but if you don’t meet these criteria, don’t worry—we’re here to support you with the functional skills portion of your development.
While a related GCSE can be advantageous, it’s not mandatory. For school leavers, we recommend seeking voluntary work or other experiences to ensure this is the right career path for you.
For mature candidates, it’s essential to consider your readiness for full-time employment and the commitment required for both the job and external study. Having a dedicated space for your studies at home can also be beneficial.
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
3. Becoming an Early Years Apprentice
At Happy Days Nurseries, we look for enthusiasm and drive rather than prior professional experience. Whether you’ve done casual babysitting or volunteered in childcare, demonstrating a genuine interest in the field is crucial.
As this is a regulated role, you’ll need to undergo DBS checks and provide references. We offer full support throughout this process, which generally takes around 3-4 weeks from initial contact to employment.
Also, Happy Days is dedicated to providing personalised feedback if you are unsuccessful in your application, recognising that this may be your first job search experience. If the initial outcome isn’t successful, remember it’s never a final “no”, it is a “maybe later.”
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
4. The Life of an Apprentice
As an apprentice, you’ll engage in hands-on learning, supported by mentors and regular one-on-one sessions. Your work will involve both practical and theoretical elements, with around six hours of off-the-job training each week.
This time is dedicated to studying, shadowing your mentor, and adapting to various challenges, such as onboarding new children or managing complex needs.
The role requires effective time management as you juggle your job responsibilities and studies. The unpredictability of working with children means you must also be adaptable and open-minded, and it provides an excellent opportunity to develop these skills.
Despite the challenges, the rewards are plentiful. You’ll develop skills, gain experience, and receive support from experienced staff, which will all contribute to your professional growth.
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
5. Completion of an Apprenticeship
As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, the focus shifts to preparing for endpoint assessments. We provide extensive support to ensure you’re ready, including practice sessions and feedback on your off-the-job work. Our aim is to equip you with everything you need to succeed.
Upon successful completion, Happy Days guarantees a job offer in the role you’ve qualified for, allowing you to continue your career in a familiar environment. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue further qualifications and career advancement through our internal promotion network.
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
6. Common Misconceptions Surrounding Apprenticeships
There are several misconceptions about apprenticeships that we’d like to address to end this blog.
Firstly, the wages for apprentices are considered to be very low, often below the national minimum wage. However, Happy Days offers a competitive apprenticeship wage that exceeds the usual apprentice wage to reflect our appreciation for your work. In the second year, your salary will align with national working standards.
Apprenticeships are also not exclusively for young people; individuals from various age groups and backgrounds are welcome and a childcare apprenticeship could give you the perfect experience you need to switch industries if you aren’t happy in your current role.
Moreover, the early years education sector isn’t solely for women. Men can – and do – play a vital role in childcare, and it’s a rewarding career for everyone.
Plus, apprenticeships do not cost you anything! They are not like a degree or adult course where you pay your own fees, your employer (in this case, us) and the government cover all expenses, making it an accessible option for anyone.
Finally, there’s no need to wait for the next academic year to start. Our early years apprenticeships are flexible and do not operate according to the school year, so you can begin whenever you’re ready!
Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.
7. Work With Us at Happy Days Nurseries
We’re excited about the future of childcare and look forward to welcoming passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in the lives of children.
If you’re ready to embark on a fulfilling career journey, we encourage you to consider an apprenticeship with us. We recently produced a blog looking at the benefits of working with Happy Days and how we can support your career.
Fill out the application form on our website to select your preferred role and location and leave us your CV – your future in early years education starts here!