An Apprenticeship is a valuable and recognised programme. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. There are no set entry requirements for Apprenticeships, but you do have to be aged over 16.
The Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship is particularly suitable if you are a school leaver aged 16 to 18, or a young person who has little experience working in Early Years, but it is open to all ages. You would have a job and a wage, or be on a work placement with a weekly training allowance. The training is adaptable to suit your job requirements and is a very practical alternative to further or higher education or accepting employment without training.
If you are considering a career in childcare, why not come along to one of our recruitment open days? These are held regularly and will give you an opportunity to find out more about Puffins Training and the courses we can offer. For further information, or to find out when the next recruitment day will be, contact us .
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of subjects, and at Puffins Training we offer Apprenticeships for the Children and Young People's Workforce. Your training will cover key skills such as communication and numeracy.
Your work placement would generally be in one of Puffins of Exeter ’s nurseries, although you can be placed at any nursery setting, in either Exeter or Torquay. During term time, you would attend one day a week day release at our Exeter Training Centre.
Whether or not you’re certain that you want a career in childcare, we can arrange for you to do one of our “taster days” before embarking on an Apprenticeship programme. You would be welcomed into one of Puffins of Exeter ’s nurseries, where you would spend the day shadowing one of their experienced staff. You can decide at the end of the day whether or not to apply for one of our training placements.
Achieving the Apprenticeship means that you would get a QCF Qualification at Level 2 for the Children and Young People's Workforce (equivalent to GCSE's), and Key Skills at level 1 or 2 in Communication, ICT and Application of Number. You also get training in paediatric first aid, and in employment rights and responsibilities.
If this sounds like a lot to take on, don’t worry – most of your learning and assessment takes place on-the-job, and you get plenty of support from your tutor, assessor and work based mentor.
It usually takes around 6 to 12 months to get a Foundation Apprenticeship.
Costs: Government funding is generally available for 16-18 year olds. Currently, partial funding is available to older students, with the employer meeting the remaining costs. This is likely to change as government policy is reviewed. Please contact us for more information or to discuss your specific requirements in confidence.
Progression: The apprenticeship is suitable for those who want to work as nursery assistants, playworker assistants, toy library workers, mother's helps, babysitters or au pairs and is a valuable first step in building a career in early years. Once you have completed an apprenticeship for the Children and Young People's workforce you can progress onto a level 3 course, equivalent to a diploma or A'levels, which is a requirement for nursery nurses and playworkers and many other early years careers.
An Apprenticeship is a valuable and recognised programme. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. There are no set entry requirements for Apprenticeships, but you do have to be aged over 16.
It usually takes around 6 to 12 months to get a Foundation Apprenticeship.