Tackling the recruitment crisis in Early Years

Apprentices really are the future for the early education sector. But as an experienced educator, how do youfind those gems that are waiting to be unearthed? A lot's likely changed since you entered the field, so it's time to revisit how and where you can draw in the best apprentices.

Apprentices don't just come from schools and colleges - they can be any age. And to get a good apprentice program going, you need the right applicants, that’s for sure - and a reputable training provider.

Thinking of the future of the next generation is an investment, and the effort you put into employing apprentices can really pay off. On top of that, you're making an essential contribution to early education, by ensuring there's another generation of enthusiastic, talented educators willing to take up the mantle.

So let's look at why apprentices are so relevant now — when we're especially concerned with recruitment and retention — and what you need to know.

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EY apprentices: making a good first impression

In Part 1 of this series, we have already covered the majority of this topic from a manager’s perspective.

• Making expectations clear
• Offering maximum support
• Providing a ‘buddy’

These are paramount. Remember, hiring apprentices is a brilliant way to expand and upskill your team. 

It is fundamental to set entry or learning requirements for apprentices, such as functional skills in maths and English. You've also got to explore their motivation to start a career in the early years. We need to be realistic, as most likely this is going to be their first-ever job, so it is important that we nurture them.

It's also crucial to build consistency, so there are clear expectations on how many hours is study time versus work experience. Having a ‘buddy’, an on-site apprentice coach from the team is a great way to support them. This could be a former apprentice perhaps, who can help them through the journey and motivate them.

Introducing a bonus scheme is always a good way to attract apprentices initially. But when you think of long-term goals, it is best to be clear about their potential career path and promotion opportunities, so they know that there is a lot of room for growth. It also doesn’t hurt to offer an incentive bonus when they achieve their apprenticeship if your budget allows it!

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Key tips for supporting apprentices

As more and more nurseries are open to hiring apprentices, it has become a competitive field. This means that you need to stand out and be creative with your recruitment process. 

Here are a few things to try:

• Set up a group chat with the apprentice's tutor/assessor for maximum support. This makes it easy to share information and plan the logistic details.
• Make educational resources easily available. What about an ‘apprentice library’ with books on child development, and different pedagogy methods like Montessori and Reggio Emilia?
• Encourage learning together. If you employ more learners completing apprenticeships at the same time, you could encourage them to have study sessions together.
• Think about your material support. As apprentice pay is under the minimum wage, you could have a work laptop that you can lend them and some contribution to their travels. 
• Celebrate new apprentices. Think about the ways you introduce your apprentices to parents - an announcement in your weekly newsletter or a celebratory Famly post goes a long way.
• Make sure your apprentice program is visible. Use social media as a tool and ask your apprentices to share their experiences on your setting’s Instagram page, so you can encourage more young learners to join the team - sharing their positive experiences is good for recruiting.

Having a positive experience with their first job will boost apprentices' self-confidence - and what is a better feeling than being valued and having visibility? 

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Questions for apprentices: is early education right for you?

Choosing a career path is not always easy. If you are considering working within the Early Years or beginning an Early Years apprenticeship, but unsure whether it is for you, this short quiz below will help to guide you! Keep track of your answers, then scroll down to the very bottom to go through the results.

1. You like communicating with, helping and teaching others in general - whether it is your elderly neighbour or your 2-year-old niece, it makes you happy and fulfilled. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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2. You are creative, loving arts and crafts, and working with different designs and patterns. Think of drawing, painting, turning the kitchen into an art studio and driving your parents mad with the amount of mess and biodegradable glitter or building the coolest pillow fortress in the living room with your nieces and nephews. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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3. You are interested in observing human behaviour, finding out the reasons behind interests and motivations, and assessing individual differences. Example: all the little ones you have met before are different and interested in different things - how fascinating is that? 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False

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4. You enjoy spending time outdoors and are interested in creating a safe and challenging environment for children to play. Think of designing a really cool playground with all the swings, slides and monkey bars or going for guided walks in the woods to find worms and other creatures. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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5. You are able to think ‘outside of the box’. Quite literally - there are so many ways to use a large cardboard box! 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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6. You like following routines but can be flexible, - play time, snack time, outdoor time, nap time - all so important and need planning. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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7. You don’t mind getting messy - whether it is acrylic paint, play dough or mud, you are quite comfortable handling all the mess just for the sake of having fun and providing the best learning experience. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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8. You are able to keep calm and collected in the most chaotic and stressful situations. The sound of 5 dysregulated toddlers, flying teddy bears and paintbrushes are not scaring you in the slightest. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False

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9. You believe in being fair and treating everyone equitably. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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10. Seeing little ones being happy, having fun whilst keeping safe, and reaching milestones like taking their first step or saying their first word makes you feel incredibly content. 

A) True 

B) Partly true 

C) False 

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How should apprentices look for the right nursery?

If most of your answers from the quiz above were 'A,' then it is not even a question that working in education is the right path for you.

Now, where can you find the perfect nursery to start your apprenticeship journey? 

Naturally - Google is your best friend. You just need to do some research and find a childcare apprenticeship provider.

When speaking to an agency about nursery settings, make sure to ask the following questions: 

• What are the entry requirements to be eligible for an apprenticeship?
• What are the expectations and how long does it take to complete the course?
• How often am I going to be observed by my assessor? 
• Are there going to be set study days? 

Every nursery setting is different, so once you have an interview with the Nursery Manager, focus on these factors: 

• How am I going to be supported as an apprentice? 
• Are there opportunities for progression? What does the career path look like?
• What are the expectations on work versus study days? Is it going to be the same each week? 
• What does a standard day in a nursery look like? 

You can always enquire at your local nursery - you never know, they might already be working with a training provider and you are exactly the person they are waiting for as an addition to their A-Team!