Josie was studying for her Level 3 Health and Social Care at college, when she decided to follow her ambition of working with children. “I always wanted to work with children and I prefer learning on the job, so I chose to do an apprenticeship. I had heard about apprenticeships at school and wanted the hands on experience as I thought it would benefit my career”.
Josie is now completing her Level 3 Child Care apprenticeship at Humpty Dumpty nursery in Dartington, through Skills Group. “I’ve been there for two years now – the first year working towards my Level 2 and I’m now onto my Level 3. My day to day tasks include caring for the children, helping to set out activities, planning their daily routines, and updating parents. My favourite part of the job is playing and interacting with the children. I’m really attached to them, as well as their families, and it’s rewarding to see them develop and grow”.
As Josie is now on her Level 3, she has moved from assisting in activities to an unsupervised role, and is enjoying taking on more responsibility. Wendy Edmunds, Senior Nursery Manager at Humpty Dumpty comments, “Josie is an excellent apprentice. She is enthusiastic, keen to develop her skills and a good team player. Her skills and knowledge have developed in line with her new qualifications – for example, Josie is now confident interacting with parents and sharing their child’s experience at the nursery”.
Gemma Wade, Child Care Assessor at Skills Group says, “Josie is a natural with the children and shows great commitment towards her training and practical skills within the nursery”.
Josie says she would 100% recommend the apprentice route. “My apprenticeship is interesting and gives me lots of practical experience that will help me go further in Child Care. It’s nice to earn a salary while I’m getting qualified too! My training at Skills Group is also helpful, as we go through important policies like safeguarding, revision catch up and team building exercises”.
In the future, Josie is hoping to carry on working at Humpty Dumpty as a qualified practitioner, and perhaps progress her qualifications further.
Josie’s top tips for anyone else wanting to do an apprenticeship? “Don’t give up! Make sure you also do some work experience first so you know exactly what you want to do”.