Lauren – Childcare Apprenticeship

Lauren is currently doing a level 2 apprenticeship in childcare at West Park Academy. She started her apprenticeship a year ago, previously she studied hairdressing but realised that wasn’t for her so decided to take a different route.

Her day to day duties include, risk assessments on the mornings and afternoons to ensure the rooms are safe for the pupils. Supervising the pupils, and ensuring they are happy and safe. Lauren has learned a lot about safeguarding the children, carrying out risk assessments, and equality and diversity in a school setting.

Lauren is happy with the training provided by Optimum Skills to help her improve her functional skills to be at a level to pass them. She is doing functional skills in Maths, English and ICT with tutor Katrina from Optimum Skills. She is nearly ready to do her exams which will help her progress to the end of her apprenticeship. Having these functional skills will help Lauren in her day to day role, especially in terms of supporting the children with their learning and development.

Through doing this apprenticeship Lauren feels she has really been able to expand her knowledge of childcare through all the experience she has gained on the job. She is now able to confidently deal with difficult situations at work, such as helping a child with behavioural problems.

In terms of progression, Lauren plans to go on and do her level 3 in childcare, hoping to stay on as an apprentice at West Park Academy. Once she is qualified at level 2 she will be able to do more without assistance so hopes to be given more responsibility once on her level 3.