If you’ve just completed a level 2 apprenticeship
Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you’ll have your final review. This will be an opportunity, if you haven’t had one already, to speak to your manager about staying on at the nursery and progressing onto the level 3 qualification. Further advice about this can also be given to you by your assessor. Not progressing onto a level 3 course can limit the progression of your childcare career, as most nurseries need fully qualified practitioners to make up their ratios at level 3.
If you’ve just completed a level 3 apprenticeship
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can begin working your way up the career ladder. We’d recommend looking for a placement where you can continue this learning by taking on a level 2 team leading course (room leader), this will give you the foundations required to help you develop as a leading member of staff within your setting.
If you’ve just completed your level 2 team leading course
Now that you have experience leading a room as well as your initial qualifications in childcare, you can look to progress onto Level 5 childcare. This role is ideal if you want to develop your managerial skills and knowledge and is most suited to those working as senior practitioners, deputies or managers within a childcare setting.
If you’re not being kept on by your employer
If you’ve had the news that there isn’t a vacant position for you upon completing your apprenticeship, then get in contact with our recruitment team who will do their best to help you find another placement or job in a childcare setting – dependent on your circumstances. You can also check out our job board for other opportunities in your local area.
If you’d like to start work at another nursery
If, once you’ve finished your course, you decide that you’d like to work in a different setting, there’s nothing stopping you from applying for roles at other nurseries. If this is something you’re considering, again, take a look at our job board for vacancies that are close to you.
The most important thing to remember when completing your apprenticeship is to keep learning whilst you have the opportunity to do so. Employers favour staff members who are enthusiastic and keen to learn so the more you can take from the experience, the better. If you do, not only will you expand your skill set but you’ll also improve your employment prospects in the future.
Interested in progressing your career with a higher level apprenticeship?