Big Hearts & Brilliant Apprentices: Apprenticeships & the Childcare Sector

A CASE STUDY FROM RAMILLIES HALL SCHOOL & NURSERY

11 January 2019 

The saying goes, ‘it takes a big heart to shape little minds’, but that’s not the only thing Apprenticeships at Salford City College are looking for when they recruit talent for their employer clients. Working within the childcare sector, like any other sector, requires loyal, highly skilled and highly motivated staff to ensure a business is successful. Richard Branson once described the people of his business as ‘the ones that make the magic happen’ and Apprenticeships at Salford City College are a firm believer of this, which is why they do their utmost to ensure the apprentices they recruit are the very best. Apprentices are a long-term investment for any business and this couldn’t be truer than for the competitive and challenging childcare sector. Margins are tighter than ever before with more and more families taking advantage of government-funded places and many arguing the funding paid for these places is far too low. Sue Hilton, Apprenticeship Delivery Leader for Health, Social Care and Childcare for Apprenticeships at Salford City College said: ‘’I have a brilliant team of childcare specialists who support a large number of apprentices across the North West.” Alex Darby, Trainer Assessor for Childcare, and a key member of Sue’s team, said: “We take great responsibility in supporting the future workforce in this brilliant sector. Many of our apprentices go on to be team leaders and managers and this makes us very proud.” Alex works closely with Ramillies Hall School and Nursery, one of Apprenticeships at Salford City College’s most valued employer clients. The nursery, located in Cheadle, currently employs three apprentices through the college including Isobelle Mayoh and Muneeba Aziz. Isobelle said: “I like that I am gaining a qualification, but am still able to work and be in the childcare setting. I am learning what it would be like to pursue this career, and it’s perfect for me because I really like working with the children. I have learnt so much so far and I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship. The course and qualification cover everything I need to know.”

 

(Isobelle Mayoh) 

Muneeba added: “Being able to actually interact with the children and getting the hands-on experience first-hand as opposed to being behind the scenes in a classroom doing the coursework has been a big highlight of my apprenticeship. By completing an apprenticeship and actually working day-in-day-out in a nursery setting, I am getting the experience I will need for later on in my career. “I have learnt so much as well! The nursery has helped train me and the college has helped me with my course, learning things like the importance of data protection and all those kinds of things I need to know in this profession.”

(Muneeba Aziz)

 If you're interested in becoming a childcare apprentice, please contact 0161 631 5555.