Why did you enrol on the apprenticeship program?

I originally enrolled in the apprenticeship program because I could work, earn, and learn without it effecting my family life. Through experience I know that young adults and adults have a better understanding of how to fulfil their job role better if they have worked in that environment and learnt their chosen carer through 'learning on the job.'

What attracted you to this route of learning?

Being able to earn and learn was a big factor for me. Earning, learning a new skill, and eventually having new qualifications and experiences at the end of it is what attracted me the most.

How have you found this experience?

The experience has been very fulfilling, I have learnt new skills in an area that I knew nothing about. Due to learning through an apprenticeship at preschool I feel like I have found a career I love, and I am confident that I would be a good asset to any company that I work for due to learning through experience and having been taught by people with years of experience in this role.

My journey…

My youngest daughter was 5 months off leaving pre-school when they put a sheet up asking parents if they would like to stay and play on the odd occasion. I put my name down for one of the days. After my first day of staying with my daughter in pre-school I found myself doing as many stay and play sessions I could because I really enjoyed being a part of the everyday running of the pre-school.

Then the preschool started advertising for staff, I asked what I would need to do to be able to go into this and was told that I would need a level 3 in early years childcare. We spoke about doing an apprenticeship, I started the following September and completed 12 months later. During the year, I gained lots of experience and was able to learn through the staff experiences. I felt grateful that I had 4 teachers and 4 lots of different experiences I could learn from. A few months after finishing my level 3, my manager approached me about doing my level 4. I completed this with in the year with the support from the all the staff members at the pre-school.

Aspirations...

I spent 3 years at pre-school, and they have given me the knowledge and experience to move into another area of childcare that I have always been interested in. I now work looking after vulnerable children. Supporting children in foster care whilst they have contact with their families and looking after children that live in an outreach centre whilst they wait for foster placement.

I will forever be grateful to everyone at pre-school for supporting and guiding me through my learning; learning that has allowed me to achieve being in a job role I have always wanted to do.

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