"I feel I have played an important part in their development from pre-school up to school"
What have you done since school?
After I finished school I went to Barton Peveril College and studied a
GNVQ in Health & Social Care along with A-Levels in Communication
Studies and Sociology. I really enjoyed my time studying at college and
when I finished I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career, whether
to go to university or get a job. I saw the vacancy at Little Acorns
Nursery and decided to apply as I felt I could use elements from my
qualifications that I had acquired at college to make a success of the
job. I was really pleased to be offered this Apprenticeship.
Do you have any role models?
Some of my family and friends have young children and I have always enjoyed looking after them.
What made you choose this career?
I really like young children and when I saw the advert for the job at
Little Acorns Nursery I imagined it to be interesting, fun and exciting
and would give me the chance to gain valuable work experience in
childcare.
What does your job involve?
As Deputy Manager of the Nursery I start at 7.30am and have to open the
building. I then start getting the children’s breakfasts ready. The
rest of my day is varied and whilst sometimes I am doing a lot of paper
work and making sure the children’s Record of Achievement’s are up to
date, I can also be working with the children. We do lots of activities
with the children including circle time where we go through things like
days of the week, colours, numbers, shapes etc. We also do activities
such as obstacle courses, role-play, painting, food tasting, creative
work etc.
What do you like about your job?
I find my job really entertaining and rewarding! I am constantly
learning something different about the children I work with. I feel
really proud when they leave the nursery and start school and I get
cards from children and parents to update me on how each child is
getting on after they have left our Nursery. I feel I have played an
important part in their development from pre-school up to school!
Where would you like to be in 3-5 years time?
I have really enjoyed taking on the responsibility of being Deputy
Manager and am keen to finish my Advanced Apprenticeship in Childcare
at Level 3. I would like to become a Manager of a Nursery or become an
NVQ Assessor in childcare! I would really like to help other people go
through the Apprenticeship scheme like I have!
What would you say to encourage other people into doing an Apprenticeship?
I think the combination of working and studying gives you a great
opportunity to be doing practical work but also to be learning at the
same time. I find it really convenient to finish work on a Monday and
then drive over to City Training and do my NVQ Level 3 studying in the
evening. It is set up well to fit in with your life.
What would you say to encourage other people into your occupational area?
I find Childcare a really exciting and rewarding industry to work in. I
find that your work is really appreciated by your Managers and by the
parents of the children that you work with.
I think that a job in childcare would suit someone who has a confident,
bubbly and outgoing manner. You need to be patient and caring and enjoy
working with children.
I think that childcare is also an area of work where because your work
is really appreciated, you are also able to work your way up to
management level!
How do you find the combination of work and studying?
I find the studying quite easy however it is important not to leave NVQ
work until the end of the course! I have enjoyed doing Level 3 NVQ and
am looking forward to completing the course.