Why Apprenticeships?
At Play & Learn Nursery, we believe in investing in the future of early years education by providing opportunities for individuals to gain practical experience while training. We have been employing apprentices since we opened in March 2013 and have found that learning on the job helps our staff develop a true understanding of their roles. Apprenticeships provide a structured route for those passionate about childcare to build their careers while gaining recognised qualifications.
Training through apprenticeships ensures our team members are not only gaining essential skills but also applying them in real-life scenarios, helping to foster their confidence, professional growth, and job satisfaction. Currently, three of our team members are completing their apprenticeships, with one recently achieving their Level 3 qualification.
Benefitting the Business
Apprenticeships have had a hugely positive impact on Play & Learn Nursery. By training and developing our team in-house, we ensure they are equipped with the specific skills and knowledge needed to deliver outstanding childcare.
One of the key advantages of employing apprentices is staff retention. When individuals train and develop within our setting, they form strong relationships with the team and have a deep understanding of our approach. This results in a more stable and dedicated workforce. Staff who train with us are more likely to stay, contributing to a nurturing and familiar environment for the children in our care.
Training has also helped us close key skills gaps, ensuring that our team remains up to date with best practices in early years education. Having highly skilled, motivated practitioners working in harmony within our nursery has been invaluable in maintaining our high standards.
The Connect2Care Difference
Our experience with Connect2Care has been overwhelmingly positive. From the very beginning, we have received incredible support from our dedicated trainer, who keeps us well-informed on apprentice progress and works closely with us to ensure a holistic approach to training.
The personalised support we receive is second to none. We feel confident knowing we can approach our trainer with any queries, and they are always on hand to help with any aspect of the training programme. This strong partnership has made it easier for us to integrate apprentices into our team and provide them with the best possible learning experience.
We are proud to work with Connect2Care and look forward to continuing our apprenticeship journey, helping to nurture the next generation of skilled early years practitioners.