Institute Nursery recognised as Employer of the Year for apprentices

The Institute’s Nursery team were recognised in the Cambridge Regional College’s Apprenticeship Awards 2024 as Employer of the Year (Care, Health and Early Years category) for their support of apprentices who join the Nursery team as part of their training.

The award was announced on 6^th February at the awards event, and received by Eleni Roads, Deputy Nursery Manager and Alison Bishop, Nursery Manager. The event celebrated apprentices and apprentice employers across a variety of sectors during National Apprenticeship Week.

Alison said: “I am so proud of my team as we receive this award. We love welcoming and working with our apprentices. I’d like to thank everyone at the Nursery who supports, encourages, and mentors our apprentices while they undertake their studies with us. Thank you also to the staff of Cambridge Regional College who are so helpful and efficient in working with us.”

The Nursery is delighted to have supported a total of eight apprentices from CRC and other training providers since welcoming their first apprentice in 2016. On successful completion of their studies, each apprentice has continued their employment at the Nursery and gone on to develop their careers either within the Nursery or at other local nurseries.

In making the award, the CRC recognised the Nursery team as an exceptionally supportive employer who actively invests in the progress of their apprentices and demonstrates a high level of commitment to the personal development of apprentices. The Nursery’s provision of dedicated study time to allow apprentices to complete their coursework was recognised as well as their regular training provided as part of on-the job learning.

Beyond supporting apprentices during their time at the Nursery, the CRC also highlighted the Nursery’s commitment to being a centre of training excellence more generally, with staff attending training reviews, participating in study groups and facilitating continuous professional development, saying: “This Nursery is a great example of a workplace that prioritises learning, collaboration and a positive team dynamic.”

CRC also applauded the Nursery’s warm and inclusive approach to apprentices, valuing them as members of the Nursery team and recognised that this inclusion was an extension of the welcoming environment the Nursery creates for its community of children, parents and carers.

Molly’s apprenticeship experience

Before starting as a Nursery Apprentice at Babraham Nursery, I knew very little about the childcare industry and what was involved in a Nursery Nurse role. During my time as an apprentice I worked full time alongside completing my Level 3 qualification, working with a range of different age groups alongside attending college once a week. Completing my qualification using the apprenticeship method fully supported my learning and development as a practitioner, gaining all the information I needed to become a successfully qualified Nursery Nurse.

The Nursery team supported my development as I was able to gain knowledge from observing others during everyday practice. If I was ever unsure or had any questions the team was always happy to support my learning. The working environment at Nursery is consistently positive and the positive environment supported my development greatly, I was able to use the positivity from others to boost my confidence in my practice.

I would highly recommend completing a childcare qualification using the apprenticeship method to anyone interested in a career in childcare. During the apprenticeship I was able to instantly use and put into practice the knowledge gained from the allocated college days. Carrying out my learning using the apprenticeship method definitely had a positive impact on my learning and development as a practitioner.

Dr Simon Cook, Institute Director, said: “I’m delighted for the Nursery team by this recognition of their dedication to supporting and developing apprentices as they complete childcare qualifications. The Nursery provides an excellent environment for nurturing the children in its care and this can only be achieved with investment and support in the people who care for them. I appreciate the Nursery team’s skill and dedication to sharing their knowledge and expertise to help train people at the start of their career in the sector.”

Notes

Press contact
Dr Louisa Wood, Head of Communications, Babraham Institute, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk

Image description
Deputy Manager Eleni Roads with Babraham Nursery Manager, Alison Bishop (middle) and CRC Principal Mark Robertson. Photo credit: Cambridge Regional College.

About Babraham Nursery
Babraham Nursery recognises every child as an individual and prepare them for their first school steps within a fun, safe and nurturing environment.
The Nursery was opened in 1990 and today accommodates up to ninety children on the Early Years register aged from 6 weeks to 5 years. In addition, the Nursery operates a separate after-school club and holiday club for school-aged children at Babraham CofE Primary School. The Nursery is primarily for the use of staff at the Babraham Institute and Babraham Research Campus but is also available to the public.
We are an extremely supportive and friendly organisation; often described as having a warm, friendly atmosphere, whilst parents and staff say that there is a real sense of community. We have a highly qualified, extremely knowledgeable team who work together in an inclusive, family friendly environment.