"Apprenticeships give us the opportunity to build high standards from day one."
During National Apprenticeship Week, conversations rightly focus on opportunity, progression and skills. In early years, these must always be rooted in quality, because quality is what leads to better outcomes for children, which sits at the heart of everything we do.
High-quality early years provision doesn’t happen by chance, it is built by skilled, confident practitioners who are supported from the very beginning of their careers. Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing that workforce and embedding quality from day one.
Karen Derbyshire, Director of Early Years, explains:
“Quality in early years always starts with people. If we want the best outcomes for children, we have to invest in how practitioners are trained, supported and developed. Apprenticeships give us the opportunity to build high standards from day one.”
This focus on quality matters to everyone - employers, learners and parents alike.
For employers: Building quality from the ground up
The early years sector continues to face recruitment challenges, but filling vacancies alone is not enough. Sustaining quality requires a long-term approach to workforce development.
Apprenticeships allow settings to grow their own talent, embedding high standards, reflective practice and strong values from the outset. Apprentices learn in real environments, guided by experienced staff and supported by structured training - strengthening teams while safeguarding quality of provision.
Many employers report improved retention, stronger team culture and greater consistency when apprenticeships are central to their workforce strategy.
A supported route into a skilled profession for learners
For those considering a career in early years, apprenticeships offer more than a qualification, they provide a supported pathway into a skilled profession that is deeply rewarding.
Learners earn while they learn, gain nationally recognised qualifications and develop professional confidence through real experience. Crucially, they are not expected to succeed alone, apprentices receive ongoing training, mentoring and guidance as they develop their practice.
This structured support helps learners build the skills and standards needed to deliver high-quality care and education from the very start of their careers.
Seeing the impact in settings
Employers we work with across the sector are already seeing how apprenticeships help to support quality in practice.
Michele Falconer, Apprenticeship Lead at Family First Nurseries, shared how this is supported through the quality of training delivered.
“There are some absolute superstars coming through. Seeing their confidence grow is incredibly rewarding. When you look at the programme they’re on, they’re being set up to succeed.”
And Learning and Development Manager from Fennies Nursery Group, Pru Barwood said:
"Realise’s collaborative approach has had a lasting impact on our apprenticeship programme. Our learners feel supported and confident, and we’ve seen strong outcomes, including apprentices completing early with distinctions. This has strengthened our programme and helped us continue to enhance quality for our teams and the children in our care.”
Enhancing children’s outcomes through quality provision
Ultimately, the purpose of investing in apprenticeships is not simply to address recruitment challenges, but to improve outcomes for children. Apprenticeships are a long-term investment in quality - developing practitioners who are skilled, confident and committed to providing the best possible care and education during the most important years of a child’s life.
When early years professionals are well trained and properly supported, children benefit from stronger relationships, consistent care and high-quality learning experiences that support their development, wellbeing and future success.
“If we want quality to be consistent and sustainable across early years, we have to support people properly. Apprenticeships allow us to do exactly that - building confident practitioners who can deliver the best outcomes for children, now and in the future.”
Karen Derbyshire, Director of Early Years
Find out more about working with us to support your workforce development: EY Apprenticeship recruitment made simple
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