Jodi started her full-time training in October 2022, finishing her qualification in February this year.
I wanted to expand my knowledge of child development and knew that the apprenticeship would be the perfect opportunity for me to achieve this in a practical way.
Learning on the job while working at Bright Horizons Windsor Day Nursery and Preschool has been invaluable. I’ve been able to have such a real-world experience – every day provides an exciting new opportunity. I have really enjoyed my time as an apprentice, as it has allowed me to learn the theory and then put my skills into practice in the nursery environment.
Alongside my apprenticeship, I have been working together with our deputy manager to help our nursery achieve a Green Flag accreditation from the Eco-Schools programme. This included taking on practical work with the children, such as teaching them about composting. I helped to introduce a nursery compost bin, and with the application to the council for a specific recycling bin. The children now assist us as we sort through what can be recycled from our rubbish.
Our Bright Beginnings Curriculum is based on extensive pedagogical theory and research, and was designed to acknowledge the individual voice and needs of each child to promote confidence, wellbeing and a genuine love for learning. I have a background in biology, and I studied ecology at university. I’ll often apply my knowledge of natural history to the various invitations for child-led play experiences. I have a huge passion for sustainability, animals and the natural environment, and it is these interests that have inspired me to also complete a Master’s degree in sustainability.
What have been the highlights?
One of the key highlights has been having the opportunity to create engaging experiences for the children and seeing their reactions. It inspires me to see how they absorb learning. My connection with the children has inspired me to keep working hard to achieve my Level 3 qualification.
A further standout highlight is my involvement in supporting the nursery to achieve its Green Flag Award. I organised and led on some of our eco-activities as part of the Eco-Schools Programme. My favourite part of this was when I introduced the children to a Giant African millipede, who I call ‘Wednesday’. The children were a little unsure at first; however, over time they have grown very fond of the millipede. It was both inspiring and important to be a part of this learning experience as I was able to develop my skills further in child development, and I helped the children to understand more about our planet and its creatures.
I was awarded with the Future Earth Award at our regional award ceremony, which recognised our achievement obtaining the Green Flag accreditation, along with the other work we do connected to sustainability. Receiving recognition from my own colleagues is a great feeling.
In addition to the Future Earth Award, I was also nominated for three other Awards of Excellence:
- The Exceptional Learner Award, recognising when I’ve gone above and beyond to get to know the children, and focus on their own needs and interests.
- Employee of the Year Award, recognising the different engaging activities I’ve been doing with the children.
- The Rising Star Award, where my colleagues appreciate the time and effort I put into creating fun science activities to help the children expand their knowledge.
What has challenged your expectations about early childhood the most?
You learn about the varied developmental pathways each child takes during your Level 3 qualification, but you don’t really recognise how significant these are until you work directly with the children. This includes the varied interests they have, and how you incorporate this into their learning. Just when you think you know what they want to do, your expectations are blown out of the water when a child requests to learn about something very specific and wonderful, like koala paws.
I embrace these moments the most. It shows the children trust us and are comfortable with us. It’s a wonderful feeling when the children turn to you to help them expand their knowledge. It also means that I get to learn alongside the children. Everyone should always be prepared to try new things, and don’t feel disheartened if your plans don’t always go as you anticipated. Let the children lead and be prepared to go off on a learning tangent. This is what early years is all about.
How have you tried to broaden your experiences and skills to stand out from other apprentices?
Alongside my apprenticeship, I have also been working hard to achieve an MSc in sustainability to build on my existing ecology degree. I am hoping that I can integrate my knowledge of child development and sustainable practices to promote eco-friendly practices in childcare settings and teach children the importance of the natural world and how to protect it. I’m also passionate about Bright Horizons’ Future Earth Agenda, which is working towards minimising our environmental impact and an eco-friendlier future. Next year when we reapply for our Eco-School accreditation, I am hoping to lead our practices myself for the first time, and help to achieve a Distinction.
I also want to continue my professional development within the childcare sector, and I’m aiming to begin a SEN course to progress my knowledge of children with additional needs. I will partake in more training based on Forest Schools, as I want my class to focus more on education within outdoor spaces, using natural resources.
What are your intended next steps after this?
I would like to complete my Master’s degree in sustainability and continue to work within the early years sector. Eventually, I would like to work on improving sustainable and eco-friendly early years education and help other nurseries with their nature-based curriculum. I’m passionate about gaining more skills and responsibilities within my current place of work and working towards becoming a room leader. I’m also hoping to complete a PhD one day on sustainable concepts and curriculums within early years.
However, I am so pleased with my current progress within my career, and during
the apprenticeship scheme Bright Horizons has really encouraged my passion working
in early years and shown me the different opportunities available. It’s inspired me to keep working hard, providing engaging learning experiences for young children. I’m excited to see what more I can achieve in the future!
Which figures in the sector do you find the most inspiring and why?
Anna Ephgrave is a big inspiration to me, and I use her approach during my daily interactions with children. I plan ‘in the moment’, following the child’s lead for what they want to learn about. I then incorporate any developmental goals into this planning, ensuring the child feels both engaged and motivated to work on new skills. I feel like Anna knew children well, and her approach is highly insightful as an apprentice.
Fredrick Froebel is also someone I greatly respect, as he regards all children as unique beings, beautiful in their own way and full of potential if nurtured in a way that promotes their individual development. He is heavily focused on the importance of play, which is something I also highly value.
