For Ryan, the dream of working with children ignited at an early age when he became an uncle at just 5 years old. This pivotal moment kindled a passion that remained steadfast as he grew older. In his own words, “I now have six nephews and one niece, and helping them achieve their milestones has been incredibly motivational and rewarding.”

Laura Kirk, Manager at Haxey Pre-School CIO, adds: “When Ryan interviewed to become an apprentice in our setting, his enthusiasm and passion for supporting younger children was wonderful. It was evident that a career working with young children was his dream and we were so pleased to be the first step of his journey.”

Ryan’s apprenticeship journey has been marked by significant growth and noteworthy achievements. He has been instrumental in supporting children who needed help with speech and language development, a task requiring immense patience and dedication.

One moment that stands out in his success is engaging with a child on a 1:1 basis. “I was involved in an activity, and this was a significant area of focus for the child,” Ryan recalls. “They laughed, sat down for a few minutes and eagerly tried to mimic sounds. This was a huge achievement, especially considering they hasn’t attempted it in three months. It felt amazing!”

In addition to these professional milestones, Ryan has achieved personal triumphs such as completing his first assignment, gaining his first ‘key child’, and successfully navigating his first assessment.

Ryan has enjoyed working on various projects, including those related to health and safety, special educational needs (SEN) and child development. These experiences have greatly enriched his role.

He also finds tremendous fulfilment in witnessing the children graduate before moving on to primary school, appreciating the significant growth that they have achieved during their time at nursery.

Ryan’s confidence has soared, and he has amassed a wealth of knowledge and skills.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is how to support children in a variety of ways and communicate these their parents or carers,” Ryan reflects.

He particularly enjoyed assignments related to health and safety, SEN and child development, as they significantly contributed to his professional development.

For Ryan, the most fulfilling aspect is actively engaging with children and watching them thrive.

Whether it’s seeing children flourish in the activities he sets up or witnessing their growth throughout their time at nursery, he knows he’s playing a pivotal role.

Ryan’s advice to future apprentices in early years is simple and powerful: “Be yourself, be confident and engage with the children. Acknowledge the feedback and learn from it. Support the children in following their interests.”