Celebrating our Apprentices and T Level Students

It is National Apprenticeship Week and as always, it’s a moment for us to celebrate and highlight our wonderful apprentices. Apprenticeships are an ideal way to study while earning a wage and also having day to day advice and learning from our qualified and experienced staff. 

Nursery Manager Sarah Sexon is proud to offer apprenticeships and has seen many stay in our team who have grown into new and exciting roles from accounts, to team leaders to SEN champions and key workers.

Sarah explains, “it is good to meet new, future Early Years Practitioners and go on their journey into a new career. We work closely with Puffins of Exeter.  Tracy is a fantastic assessor who tailors studies for each apprentice.”

On Thursday 12^th February, we celebrated National T Level Day. We are pleased to offer work placements for Early Years Educator T Level Students from North Devon College.  We were delighted to receive a Winners award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Development of T Levels’ in 2025.

Our current T Level students are Abi and Tanzin.

Abi is completing her 2nd year with us and is hopeful to study at Norland College, to become a Norland Nanny this Autumn . 'I chose a T-level as the structure of the course really appealed to me. This is because there was practical training alongside academic studies. Which is something that suits me.'

Tanzin is in her first year of studies, joined us in September. '

Tanzin explains, “I have enjoyed watching the children grow and some join new rooms and take their next steps. 

With a T Level you get both sides, studying theory at college and then work experience every week. 

I am looking at my role in the future working in the field of SEND, or possibly Speech Therapy or supporting Physical Development.”

A special mention must also go to Julia, college assessor, who visits us regularly to observe and support our students. She has been awarded Assessor of the Year at a recent event and we send her our congratulations!

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to gain skills at a high standard and to be listened to and supported.

We are lucky to work with Tracy as our assessor from Puffins Training. Three apprentices are studying towards Level 3 Early Years Educator.

We have seen many of our apprentices flourish into professional, talented, caring and skilled nursery nurses over the years. Some have gone onto higher education, primary teaching, the field of medicine and even a published children's author!

St. Michael’s Nursery is investor in people and our team are regularly undertaking inhouse trainings, webinars, conferences, courses and networking in their continued professional development profiles.

In fact, many of our own team have started their careers as apprentices here and have now gone on to be team leaders!

Our dedicated staff that show an interest in a particular area have gone on to complete further trainings and this in turn has offered up roles within the nursery including a qualified Forest School Leader, a librarian coordinating our reading scheme, Baby Champions, Maths Champions, and most recently Level 3 SENDCo award. We are so proud of Emma who has recently returned to study and completed her SENDCo Level 3 award and is a SEN Champion. Emma undertook her apprenticeship in 2013 with us and returned to study to gain this important and worthwhile qualification.

Our current Level 3 apprentices are valued members of the team and work alongside the whole team including all age groups, cookery sessions, SENDCo and Forest School.

Madison applied for the apprentice position so that she could learn working alongside others.  Madi explains. “I really like the hands on approach.  You get to work with all ages in all the rooms.”

Our friendly and approachable team are on hand to answer questions and be as supportive as possible.  Madi noted that she feels very supported here at St. Michael’s.

One of the unique aspects of working within a nursery of all ages is the opportunities to work with children from babies to school leavers.  Madi has recently spent a lot of time helping to settle the 15 month old children into Dragonflies - “they are learning to be independent and you can see their confidence.  They are started to ask for help and learning names.”

When asked what is on the horizon, Madi’s immediate aim is to complete her level 3 training.  At St. Michael’s, we support every member of staff’s continued professional development, ensuring that they are kept up to date with core skills, regulations and changes.  This includes Paediatric First Aid, Epi-pen training, Manual Handling, Food Hygiene and Action for Climate Empowerment.

Harriet joined the team in April 2025.  Relocating to North Devon with two young children, Harriet took up a managerial post in catering and hospitality.  She supplemented this with further domestic cleaning jobs and enjoyed the flexibility it allowed for her being a busy Mummy.  During her spare time, she part took in online training, in childcare.

Harriet had heard about the reputation of St. Michael’s and she originally applied for casual bank work within the nursery.  Harriet was soon an integral part of nursery life, with regular hours helping in the kitchen, cleaning and within the rooms.

Her team spirit, enthusiasm, patience and warmth shone through and Harriet soon applied for an apprenticeship to further her potential.

When the apprenticeship was granted, Harriet felt relieved and excited for the opportunities before her.  Harriet explains how feeling valued and being part of a team is crucial for mental health, “it’s lovely.  I felt very welcome by all the team.”

When discussing the theory and paperwork aspect of her apprenticeship, Harriet made the point that her practical experience reinforces her underpinning knowledge making a greater impact on her understanding -

“I’ve worked on the theory but seeing it first hand gives me a better understanding.  It takes on a new dimension when working alongside the speech therapist for example.  I have been reading about pecs (picture exchange communication system) and how they’re used.  But I have a better understanding seeing it used in action.”

Harriet has since expressed a professional interest in working with special educational needs and disabilities, (SEND).  Harriet’s goal for the time being is to complete her Level 3 training and to continue working through her professional development criteria to a high standard.

Our latest apprentice to join our fabulous and dedicated team is Libby.  Joining us in September 2025 Libby has had previous experience working within a Primary School with Reception – Year one and also a Nursery working with three year olds.  Libby completed her first Foundation T Level in childcare and having accomplished this, she was keen to pursue further qualifications in this field.

Libby had heard of St. Michael’s Nursery through word of mouth and its reputation for staff welfare, supporting each individual in a nurturing environment.  This really appealed to Libby because she learns best by being in the moment but also was looking for employment opportunities at the time.

Following a welcoming formal induction, Libby was soon working alongside the team and was made to feel comfortable enough to ask questions and learn the daily routines of the children.

Every Monday, we are thrilled to welcome Clare from Story Bears.  Libby often attends these sessions and is grateful for the opportunity to experience music sessions with a range of children.  She enjoys the different themes and assists the children with singing and dancing.

Well done to all our apprentices - we are so proud of you all!