For Annie Griggs from Hitchin, the decision to pursue an apprenticeship straight after school was an easy one. She knew that a hands-on learning environment, combined with the ability to earn while developing her skills, was the best option for her.

At just 16, Annie took the bold step of entering the world of work as an apprentice Nursery Practitioner with GrandirUK, one of the UK’s leading childcare providers. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength. Having successfully completed her Level 2 Apprenticeship with a Distinction, she is now progressing through her Level 3.

Annie’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Annie has received numerous awards for her commitment to early years education, including the Apprentice of the Year award from Realise.

Gemma Hughes, Partnerships Manager at Realise was reminded just how powerful an apprenticeship can be when she travelled to hand deliver Annie’s award in February.

No two days are the same for Annie. Working in a nursery requires adaptability, teamwork, and patience. From changing nappies and following sleep routines to managing mealtimes and setting up engaging activities, she plays a vital role in the children’s daily development.

“A day at the nursery for me is always different. Children are unpredictable – sometimes they’re happy, and other times they’re unwell. You have to be prepared for anything to happen during the workday. I greet parents and hand over to them about how their child is and how their day was.”

Through both her Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships with Realise, Annie has developed a deep interest in child development, particularly the science behind how children grow and learn.

“I have loved learning about the development of children from birth to seven years old, how the brain works, the signals it is sending, and at what speed a child should be progressing. It is all so interesting to me and something we are never told about as young people.”

Annie has ambitious career aspirations. After completing her Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification, she hopes to become a Room Leader in her setting. Looking further ahead, she is considering pursuing an apprenticeship in speech and language therapy, an area she has developed a keen interest in.

Annie credits much of her success to the support she has received from Realise.

“I am so thankful for the Realise team and all of the support I am being given.”

Annie’s Assessor, Kerry is confident that she will go on to do great things once she has got the Level 3 under her belt.

Realise is incredibly proud to have supported Annie on her journey and looks forward to seeing her continued success with our partner Grandir UK.