Award Winning Support and Celebrating our Apprentices

In National Apprenticeship Week we were delighted to receive a Winners award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Development of T Levels’

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to gain skills at a high standard and to be listened to and supported. Sarah and Emma were invited to a lunch (prepared by Petroc’s catering apprentices and students) and to accept our award alongside many other Devon businesses.  We are very lucky to have seen Danni and Lola enjoy their student placements with us and then qualify to high standard and then become valued members of our team.

Not only do we offer placements to students and also work experience to students from local senior schools , we also have in-house training for our own team , with amazing support and training provided by Puffins of Exeter. Our training provider visits us monthly, Tracy is a so understanding of our apprentices and their learning styles and also of our settings’ needs.

 We have seen many of our apprentices flourish into professional, talented, caring and skilled nursery nurses over the years. Some have gone onto higher education, primary teaching, the field of medicine and even a published children's author!

There is so much opportunity for our apprentices to further their studies and broaden their horizons whichever path their career may take them.

Many of our apprentices have qualified and taken up a full or part time role at St. Michael's and bring their enthusiasm and talents to the nursery everyday!

Nursery Manager Sarah explains "we are very proud of our apprentices who every day work alongside our team, learning new skills, facing new challenges and studying for each module towards their Early Years Educator qualifications. We enjoy seeing our apprentices grow in confidence and bravely taking on new roles within the setting (imagine reading a story to 20 kindergarteners!), building strong relationships with children and colleagues and becoming enthusiastic individual practitioners."

Molly has been with us for two years and, having completed her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship, is now studying towards Level 3 .

Molly has been with us for two years and is now studying Level 3 in childcare. Level 3 in childcare is a role with huge responsibility. A practitioner can then Supervise a room and other members of the team and is responsible for the planning, organisation and running of their dedicated room.

Molly knew she would like to work with children following a work experience placement at Primary School when she was 15 years old.

Molly enjoys her time with all age groups and she feels that the support from her peers has helped her gain skills, confidence and she takes on important aspects such as handovers to parents/carers.

 Molly explains that she “likes all aspects of her role and especially the teaching elements.”  Molly continues her professional development through courses organised by St. Michael’s.  One of her most recent courses was woodwork.  Molly gained new skills and likes to offer woodwork and art and crafts.

Libby has recently been awarded her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship and is now experiencing her new role of Nursery Assistant at St. Michael’s.

Libby who works across all rooms in order to gain a broad range of skills and opportunities, has been with us since September 2023.

Following a work experience placement at a Primary School, she gained experience working with children aged 6-7 years.  She found the idea of an Apprenticeship in a Nursery appealing because of the younger age group and the care side of working with young children. However, on reflection and through the new skills that she has gained, Libby really enjoys the educational side of her role.  Our nursery recently gained Maths Champion status and staff were trained to incorporate Maths in our everyday practice.  Libby really thrived in this area.

Libby really enjoys art and craft activities and it makes her “happy” to see a planned idea come to fruition.  “I made lanterns for Chinese New Year.  They used fine motor skills to stick and glue.  They were carrying them around all day!”  Libby enthuses.

Madison is our newest apprentice, and is training toward Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship  and applied  for the apprentice position so she could learn working alongside others.  She feels very welcome and supported here at St. Michael’s and feels that the team are approachable if she is unsure of anything.

She enjoys all aspects of the job and she notes that St. Michael’s was particularly appealing because it has such extensive grounds and a Forest School.

When asked about the support they have received by St. Michael's, each and every apprentice mentioned how they do feel supported by not only the team around them but also management.  Libby commented, “you can ask questions and find out things you’re unsure of.”

As a team we are so proud to support young people in their vision to pursue a career in childcare.  We are passionate about education and senior management ensure that all our team are always on top of their core skills keeping essential credentials up to date such as first aid, epi-pen training, manual handling, being eco-friendly and food hygiene to name just a few.  Regular training reviews and supervisions are put in place to ensure that the team thrive in their area of interest and management are very supportive of a team member’s continued professional development.

Well done to all our apprentices - we are so proud of you all!

Sarah is now pleased to be part of the  Children and Young People Action Group under Northern Devon Futures.  As a large group of Devon Businesses and Education Establishments, they work collaboratively to build solutions for the futures of children and students and the challenges they may face in their  future careers, particularly in a rural region. This is an exciting project and Sarah is pleased to have been invited to participate , representing both our business and your children’s futures.