Ever wondered what it would be like to be an apprentice?
Our Apprentice Insights Blog shares the unique experiences of our apprentices. Hear about their views, day to day and why apprenticeships work from apprentices as well as those who manage them.
Madi is an Early Years Educator Apprentice at Woodlands Pre-School and Nursery
Tell us about yourself?
I am eighteen and would like to be a SENCO one day. I spend a lot of time with my family and really like the show criminal minds. I love reading and doing puzzles too.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship as I found it the best way to get to where I wanted for my future.
What’s your experience with Hart Learning and Development been like?
I have really enjoyed working with them, my tutor is excellent and is very supportive!
Where do you want your apprenticeship to take you?
I want to eventually become a SENCO in a nursery setting. I want to do this because I want to make a difference in a child’s learning and development.
How have you managed to balance working, completing your 20% off the training and having a life outside of your apprenticeship? Has it been easy?
Honestly, it’s difficult. Time management is something that I’ve really had to work on. I love working and doing my apprenticeship but sometimes struggle with just having a break. I definitely spend a lot of time doing coursework but take some time off to do quiet activities like puzzles.
If you could share one piece of advice with someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship, what would it be?
I think one piece of advice I would give to apprentices would be to have good time management skills to help complete work on time and ask for support if you need it!
I completed two videos of myself reading a ‘That’s not my…’ story for my setting. This was to encourage and support the children’s development throughout their time in lockdown, or isolation. The resources were used for an app we use called ‘Tapestry’.
Tapestry is an app that schools or nurseries can use to communicate online with parents, as it allows us to write up observations each week and termly assessments of the children. It also allows the children’s parents to share different activities or information that is happening at home. For example, a child’s home pack, their home learning during lockdown, or any fun activities or games they do at home that they wish to share with us.
Home learning or home packs support a child’s learning at home, with their three key skills. The videos I made support children’s learning and development by encouraging children to develop their overall literacy skills and understanding as it allows the children to have the opportunity to repeat words and phrases, fill in missing words or find a new favourite story to read. It also encourages the children to have the opportunity to choose a favourite character or animal from the story and share it online with their friends.
“Madi is currently completing her Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. Madi is a hardworking and committed apprentice and gives 100% to everything that she does. I am so proud of Madi for completing the story videos for children and their families during lockdown, it can be quite daunting doing something like this to such a big audience.” – Apprenticeship Tutor
If you’re thinking about starting an apprenticeship you can take a look at our latest vacancies here or, for further information or advice call 01462 471041 or email hello@hart.co.uk.