If you’re interested in working with young children, becoming a childcare apprentice could be a great option for you. Whether you’ve just left school or college or plan on returning to work after a career break starting as a childcare apprentice could be the start of a very rewarding career. We’ve listed below everything you can expect from this rewarding and challenging career path:
A combination of work and study
As with any apprenticeship, you will split your time between work and study. In the case of a childcare apprenticeship, this means you’ll split your time between working in a childcare setting such as a nursery whilst you also study towards a qualification. For many, an apprenticeship offers an alternative way of gaining qualifications where the skills you acquire are vocational in nature. This can be a breath of fresh air for many who dislike traditional methods of education such as GCSEs and A-Levels which require an intensive exam process. Childcare apprenticeships also give you a great opportunity to gain practical experience in the field while also learning the theoretical knowledge you’ll need to succeed, meaning you often graduate your apprenticeship with more work experience than those who don’t take the apprenticeship route.
Opportunities to work with children of different ages
Childcare apprenticeships can cover a wide range of age groups, from babies and toddlers to pre-schoolers and beyond. If you’re not sure which age group you prefer to work with or haven’t had the opportunity to study different age groups you’ll get the opportunity to work with children of different ages during your apprenticeship. Again, the practical work-based nature of an apprenticeship means that by the end of your study, you’ll have learnt how to adapt your approach to childcare to meet a range of children’s individual needs.
Support and guidance from experienced professionals
Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be guided by experienced childcare professionals who will help you to develop your knowledge, skills and behaviours. This will give you a great foundation for your future career in childcare. Similarly, in your studies you’ll be given a personal tutor who will spend 1:1 time coaching you through your course. Unlike traditional methods of teaching you may already be used to, the 1:1 support provided by your tutor means you can ask them for help with a range of issues relating to your studies and your apprenticeship.
A chance to make a difference in children’s lives
Working with children is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. As a childcare apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in children’s lives by providing them with a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where they can learn and grow. Many childcare apprentices begin their apprenticeship due to a love of children however, during your studies you will recognise and learn about the important role of the childcare provider in a child’s life and how your actions can help children develop the necessary skills they need.
A stepping stone to a career in childcare
Completing a childcare apprenticeship can open up many doors for your future career. You may choose to continue working in childcare, or you may decide to pursue further education and training to advance your career. As all apprentices graduate from their courses with job experience it is easy for apprentices to apply for a range of jobs in childcare once they finish their apprenticeship. For some apprentices they may go on to further study, childcare apprenticeships are now offered up to level 5 in the UK which is equivalent to a diploma of higher education (DipHE) a foundation degree or a higher national diploma (HND).
Overall
Working with children can be challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. As a childcare apprentice, you’ll develop a range of skills, from communication and teamwork to creativity and problem-solving, that will help you to succeed in any career. A childcare apprenticeship is a great way to gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge in the field of childcare. You’ll have the opportunity to work with children of different ages, receive guidance from experienced professionals, make a difference in children’s lives, and develop skills that will serve you well throughout your career. If you’re passionate about working with children, a childcare apprenticeship could be the perfect starting point for you.