Apprentice finds her dream role working with children

Alex Garland is an early years apprentice and works as a nursery assistant, focusing on the youngest children in the centre. She provides day-to-day care and describes every day as ‘different and equally rewarding.’

The apprenticeship has given Alex the opportunities she needed to work towards her goal of working in a combined role as both a community nurse and an outreach worker. By choosing the apprenticeship route, the 27 year old was also given the chance to study maths and IT alongside her Early Years qualification, opening up even more pathways for her in the future.

Alex had always wanted to study the Early Years Educator course after receiving a recommendation from a colleague, but had lacked the confidence to continue with it initially and dropped out of the programme. The course has allowed her to gain a promotion and provided her with the crucial skills required for working in the early years sector.

She said: “I have enjoyed acquiring the practical skills that have given me the first-hand knowledge I will need for future roles; combined with the rewards of working with children, improving their lives and giving them a second home at the nursery.”

It was during a placement when Alex realised that working with children was her dream and the career that she wanted to pursue. New Bewerley’s Children Centre then encouraged her to apply for a job which Alex has now been working in for nine years.

She said: “For now, I’d like to stay in my current role, continuing to enjoy working at the centre and the special unique moments each child brings.”