Early Years Apprenticeships UK: Benefits and Opportunities at Grandir UK

At Grandir UK, we’ve launched our very own podcast, GrandPod, which will explore the key topics within the Early Years sector. 

In our very first episode, Heather Young, Grandir UK’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Cathy Agozzino, Apprenticeship & Learner Co-ordinator at Grandir UK, discuss everything apprenticeships: covering why choose an Early Years apprenticeship, the benefits of this type of route into the sector, career opportunities that spring from an apprenticeship, and what makes Grandir UK a great place to undertake an apprenticeship in one of our nurseries or in one of our support functions.  

In this blog, we are highlighting just a snapshot of what our first podcast episode has to offer. If you prefer, you can listen to or watch the full podcast on the podcast platform of your choice or via YouTube here. 

Why choose an Early Years apprenticeship?

From degrees to apprenticeships, there are many routes to take to pursue a career in Early Years. However, apprenticeships have advanced significantly in recent years, providing people with hands-on experience in a supportive environment where they learn on the job, while training to get the qualifications they need to establish and progress in their careers.

Some people decide that they want to pursue a career in childcare as soon as they leave school. However, it can be a bit of a shock to go from school or college straight into a working nursery where you’re expected to support and teach children. Our apprenticeship programme has been structured to support our young learners in finding their feet in the working world while also teaching them how to be a truly great Early Years professional.

In light of recent major global events, including the pandemic that disrupted plans, impacted jobs, and prompted many to reassess their career paths, apprenticeships have become an increasingly important option for those seeking a career change. “I think, particularly since Covid, we have to remember that the generation of apprentices that we see coming at the moment have spent an enormous amount of time at home, so they wouldn’t necessarily have those social, professional and working-life experiences,” notes Cathy Agozzino. “I think doing an apprenticeship, particularly one with Grandir UK where you’ve got these supportive teams, allows you to gain those essential, basic skills and life experiences. You know that those nursery teams have got your back, they’re going to look after you, and you’ve got somewhere to go for support.”.

Our COO, Heather Young, recalls how the beginning of her journey into a nursery setting came with its challenges. “These apprenticeship opportunities were not as present then as they are now. So, I think, for me, it would’ve been a great way to learn on the job. I remember going into my first job after leaving college as a qualified nursery nurse thinking, “oh, I know what I’m doing now,’ but actually what I found harder was actually being in employment and starting to be a grown-up with responsibilities.”

It is a common misconception that apprenticeships are just for younger people who are just starting out their career. But in reality, apprenticeships are for all ages, and people at any stage.; for those straight from school to those wanting a meaningful career change later on in life.

Cathy, our Apprenticeship & Learner Co-ordinator, herself began her journey into Early Years in her forties and shared inspiring stories of other people who became qualified Nursery Practitioners later on in life: “Our lovely Tara at our Kiddi Caru Day Nursery & Pre-school in Grange Park, Northampton so desperately wanted to become qualified, but for various reasons didn’t have the opportunity to do that. When she joined Grandir UK, she was given the opportunity and completed her level three apprenticeship at age 50.”

What’s the benefit of apprenticeships?

In Cathy’s own words, “The sky’s really the limit for where you can go with an apprenticeship” and this could not be truer!

One of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship programme is that you earn while you learn. “It’s the fact that you are evidencing what you are learning, putting it into practice, and you’re earning money,” states Cathy. “It’s the best of both worlds!”

Cathy began her Early Years career by doing a working degree, very much like an apprenticeship, but with one major difference: “I didn’t have the time off the job to do my degree. However, by doing an apprenticeship you get six hours a week off the job learning time. That wouldn’t necessarily mean that you are studying at home. You have the time to discover new skills, knowledge, or behaviours, but in the working environment.”

Apprenticeships set you up for employment like no other route! As you are spending the majority of your time in an Early Years setting to support children, you are learning life skills that make you a desirable candidate for the workplace alongside a team, rather than from a textbook. You emerge from your training with in-built experience and a head start into the world of work and the sector.

This is something Heather values about apprenticeships: “I think there’s a value about being in employment, she states. ‘A lot of our apprentices are coming into their first jobs and actually learning about being part of a team in a nursery; learning about how to interact with your colleagues, learning about leadership in a setting and being led by somebody. These are all different experiences from studying at a college.”

Grandir UK’s apprenticeship programme embodies all these remarkable benefits, providing apprentices with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed and thrive throughout their learning journey.

Why are Grandir UK apprenticeships the best?

Grandir UK won the Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year at the NMT Nursery Awards in November 2024 – a massive achievement for our apprenticeship team, who have worked hard to make our training programme the best it can be!

We also have a strong focus on wellbeing and mental health to ensure that all our apprentices are happy and enjoying their training. “That vital nurturing element, where we really are looking after our employees as growing people is something, I think, Grandir UK does really well,” says Cathy. “Our nursery teams put their arms around our apprentices and do everything they can to ensure that they are successful and thriving. These are the people who go on to complete their apprenticeships.”

This goes hand in hand with the level of support we provide our apprentices. Since Cathy started her role, she has been committed to building a community of apprentices across the whole network of Grandir UK.

“I think it’s really important that they’re able to talk to other apprentices that have either completed and are doing the next level up or are at a similar level,’ says Cathy. ‘But I think it’s really building that community where they can lean on one another, create a mutual support network, share their challenges and gain handy information: “How did you do this?” or “I’m struggling with that”. We facilitate that community building with regular apprentice cluster meetings to bring our apprentices together and give them the time and space to make the most of each other.”

One of the best parts of doing an apprenticeship with us is the flexibility we can provide. You can either join Grandir UK as an apprentice , or start an apprenticeship once you’re working with us.

“If you’re already working in a nursery, you can access an apprenticeship as long as you’ve done six months of service with us,’ confirms Cathy. ‘We can put you onto the apprenticeship programme and you can do the same route as an apprentice is doing. So, apprenticeships really are very accessible.”

Advice to young people who want to pursue a career in Early Years?

“I would say do it! Do it!” says Cathy.

If doing an apprenticeship is something that you are interested in doing, start by asking questions. Like speaking to Cathy Agozzino in our Apprenticeship Team at Grandir UK, who will gladly talk you through how to get onto the programme. “I can talk you through any questions or concerns you might have about how you’re going to cope with learning and working at the same time.” You can register your interest and schedule a call with Cathy here.

Listen to the full interview here!  

Interested in listening to more of our first GrandPod episode? Then you can listen to the full interview on our YouTube channel, Spotify and Amazon Music.

Subscribe to our channels to stay up to date with the latest episodes of GrandPod. A great way to keep up to date on the latest news within the Early Years sector and Grandir UK.

Interested in an Early Years apprenticeship course?

At Grandir UK, we would love to have you as a part of our growing team. Register your interest for our apprenticeship programme and Cathy or one of our Apprenticeship & Learner team will be in touch with more information. Let’s grow together!