Nursery Manager Ashleigh-Marie's Level 5 Leadership Journey

Ashleigh-Marie, a Nursery Manager from Rochester, undertook a Level 5 Lead Practitioner apprenticeship and is now supporting multiple settings with her expertise.

Ashleigh-Marie’s journey to Level 5 wasn't a straight path. "For a significant part of my career, I didn’t see myself stepping into a managerial role," she admits. However, with a little nudge from her colleagues at Family First Nurseries, Ashleigh-Marie began to see her own potential. "It took the encouragement of several inspiring individuals to help me realise that I was capable of taking on such a position."

The Level 5 qualification proved transformative for Ashleigh-Marie, deepening her understanding of leading large teams and igniting a newfound confidence.

"Pursuing this qualification not only deepened my understanding of leading a large team but also had a profound impact on my confidence."

Now, she's not just leading her team; she's championing initiatives, shaping strategies, and even supporting other nurseries within her organisation, empowering practitioners to give children the best possible start.

Leadership passion

Ashleigh-Marie's career began with a desire to be a primary school teacher. "For a long time, I wanted to be a primary school teacher. When I left university in 2012, I went straight into childcare and haven't left."

After graduating in 2012, Ashleigh-Marie found herself in the world of childcare, and she hasn't looked back since. While management wasn't her initial ambition, it has become a true passion. "The management role was not something I originally wanted to do, but this is now something that I'm wholly passionate about."

With her Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner qualification now under her belt, she's looking to support others in their own leadership journeys and explore new horizons in her career.

"Since doing my Level 5 apprenticeship, not only do I aspire to help others into the management role, but I also want to further my career. Whether this is to become a manager where I support multiple sites or become a childcare specialist."

A day in the life

Ashleigh-Marie's typical day is a whirlwind of activity.

"I ensure the nursery is safe and compliant with the ratios and staff qualifications. Supporting the team’s mental health, implementing changes, delivering safeguarding updates and supporting the team’s understanding of policies and procedures.

“Being a listening ear to practitioners and supporting them with their own workload, building strong parent partnerships, being a SENCO - supporting children with additional needs, building relationships within the local community and being an advocate for the children.

“I also ensure that records are regularly updated, such health and safety documents, ensuring children with allergies and intolerances are being catered to by the chef."

Ultimately, Ashleigh-Marie is proud to be “the friendly face that opens the door to our children every morning.”

Right learner, right programme

The Level 5 apprenticeship couldn't have come at a better time for Ashleigh-Marie and her nursery.

"As a setting, the course came at the right time for not only me but my nursery. We were in a place where we did not have a curriculum that was established or even embedded."

Ashleigh-Marie’s Tutor, Shelley Lamb, was confident that she would excel whilst on the programme.

“I knew from her assignments, discussions and reviews that Ashleigh-Marie would do well with her apprenticeship and would be an apprentice to work towards a distinction for her final elements.” - Shelley

The apprenticeship empowered Ashleigh-Marie to provide the framework for developing and embedding a thriving curriculum, recognised not only within her company but also by the local authority, who now share it with other nurseries.

"Our local authority spreads our curriculum to the local nurseries to help inspire them to develop theirs. Not only that, it was highly accredited during our Ofsted inspection in February 2024."

For Ashleigh-Marie, exploring different leadership styles also left a lasting impression on her.

"Learning about the different leadership styles - I loved researching the Great Man Theory. Not because I think he is amazing but because the theory is so outdated and I believe I am a manager who came from nothing and was taught everything I know through people that are inspirational to me and people that advocate for me even when I did not see it myself. And I aspire to support others to further develop their own careers in the nursery industry."

A turning point

Without her Level 5 qualification, Ashleigh-Marie believes her path would look very different. Conquering the challenge of presentations, especially the final assessment, which she passed with distinction, was a huge confidence booster.

"If I hadn't done the Level 5, I don't think I would have the confidence to do what I do now. Doing the end point assessment presentation (any presentations during the course) put me so much out of my comfort zone that I didn't think I would pass, let alone get a distinction."

While she might still be in her Nursery Manager role, Ashleigh-Marie doubts she would have the same drive to reach for more. "I do still think I would still be in my nursery manager role but I equally do not think that I would have pushed myself to aspire to do more - whether that is moving on from being a manager and more of a supportive role or move on to doing a masters degree as I already have a degree."

Putting knowledge into action

Ashleigh-Marie is committed to using her new skills to inspire and mentor current and future practitioners. She's passionate about supporting apprentices, being their advocate, and sharing her knowledge.

"I wish to continue supporting apprentices with the qualifications that they are undertaking. To be their voice when they are finding it difficult and to support their knowledge and understanding of their qualification.

To be an advocate for the Level 5 qualification – you’re never too old to learn or relearn things that you were taught a long time ago. It has been great going into depth with practitioners about how and why we do things, because of certain theorists or pedagogies."

A journey shared

Ashleigh-Marie's Level 5 experience was transformative; and sharing the journey with other apprentices created a strong sense of camaraderie and support. "We were able to bounce ideas off each other, support each other as well as celebrate each other's successes doing the qualification."

"I loved every moment of my apprenticeship and would not change it for the world, it pushed me to lead my team in directions that I could not imagine doing before doing the Level 5."

She also gave special thanks to Shelley, whose unwavering support and guidance were invaluable.

"I want to thank Shelley, who was an amazing Trainer and supported me in every direction with my Level 5. No question was too small, silly or big. She eased my panics when everything felt like it got too much, and she was there to celebrate my milestones and my nurseries - such as celebrating my promotion and our Ofsted results! I couldn't have asked for a better person to do my qualification alongside."

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