National Apprenticeship Week: Meet Our Apprentices
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating our apprentices across Hopscotch and sharing their stories. All week, we’ll be introducing you to some of the people who are learning, growing and building their careers with us.
First up is Kirsty, an Early Years apprentice based at Hopscotch Seven Dials.
1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?
I chose an Early Years apprenticeship because I felt it would give me the best starting point and the knowledge I needed to begin a career in childcare. Being able to learn while working in the nursery felt like the right path for me.
2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?
A typical day for me starts at 8am, helping to bring the buggies outside and opening the Blue Room. I help with breakfast and follow the room’s daily routine. I usually prepare snacks for both the Blue and Yellow Rooms and spend time working with my key children on their next steps.
3. What’s your favourite part of the day?
My favourite part of the day is taking the children out on buggy walks. I love exploring places like the beach and the sensory garden with them and seeing how they respond to new environments.
4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?
I really enjoy planning activities that support the children’s developmental milestones and watching them grow and become more confident in themselves.
5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship?
I would definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship. It has been so rewarding and educational. I really value the mix of working in the nursery and learning through experience, alongside the research and assignments. Together, it has helped me build the knowledge and confidence needed to be a great nursery practitioner.
6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?
My fondest memory was going to the beach with the Blue Room and watching many of the babies experience the seafront for the first time. They explored so many different sensory experiences, from feeling the pebbles to hearing the waves and enjoying the sea breeze.
6. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?
In five years, I see myself as a room leader at Hopscotch. I really believe this is achievable here, as I have seen how Hopscotch supports development and promotes from within the team.
We’re incredibly proud of Kirsty and all of our apprentices at Hopscotch. Their passion, dedication and commitment to learning play a huge part in creating the nurturing environments our children thrive in.
If you’d like to find out more about starting an apprenticeship with Hopscotch, visit
https://www.hopscotch.uk.com/work-with-us/apprenticeships
