Every career has a starting point. For David, now a Regional Operations Manager here at Happy Days Nurseries, it began with an apprenticeship, a decision that set him on a path from the nursery floor to senior leadership within early years.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with David to reflect on his journey so far and how an apprenticeship has helped shape his career.
David joined the early years sector as a Level 2 apprentice in a nursery setting, gaining hands-on experience while learning the foundations of the role. From the outset, the apprenticeship gave him the chance to build real skills, confidence, and a clear understanding of the impact early years professionals have on children’s lives.
When asked why he chose an apprenticeship and what inspired him to work in early years, David shared a personal story from his own childhood.
“I always remember a teacher from my primary school who had a really positive impact on me, and this inspired me to want to do the same. I wanted to have a positive influence on children during their early years, which is such an important stage of development.”
It quickly became clear that early years wasn’t just a job for David, it was the career path he wanted to follow.
“Early on in my apprenticeship, I realised that early years was the industry for me, so I decided to continue along that path. After completing my Level 3 studies, I was keen to keep learning and went on to complete leadership and management training. This is where I developed a desire to become a leader, not only to have an impact on children’s early years, but also to inspire practitioners to want to make that difference too.”
Those next steps gave David a new perspective. Supporting children’s growth and learning remained at the heart of his work, while his passion also grew to include guiding and inspiring teams, mentoring other practitioners, and shaping the culture of the settings he worked in.
Through continued learning, dedication, and experience, David progressed through a range of roles within nursery settings, building his leadership skills and supporting teams along the way.
“I’ve been fortunate to continue progressing within an industry that I genuinely enjoy working in. I’ve moved up through the ranks within settings, and today I am a Regional Operations Manager.”
When asked what advice he would give to someone considering an apprenticeship in early years, David’s message was clear.
“Just do it. There are so many directions you can go in, and an apprenticeship really does support people in building a lifelong career.”
David’s story is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can open doors, build confidence, and create genuine opportunities for progression.
If you’re looking to kickstart your career in early years, why not start as an apprentice at Happy Days? We are proud to support the apprenticeship scheme, offering hands-on experience, structured learning, and clear pathways for growth within a supportive and nurturing environment.
Please visit our careers page for more information: https://happydaysnurseries.com/careers/
