Newport nursery focused on developing staff and children
Archway Court Nursery owner Gill Jones (front) with manager Chloe Yates with staff members Hayley Edwards, Philippa Evans.
A successful Newport nursery is using the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Programme to support the development of staff members and the children in their care.
Established since 1993, Archway Court Nursery employs 37 full and part-time staff, providing flexible employment to suit the personal circumstances of employees. The nursery cares for between 60 and 70 children daily.
Since starting to offer apprenticeships in 2014, the nursery has enrolled 17 members of staff on the programme. Training ranges from a Foundation Apprenticeship in Playwork to a level five Higher Apprenticeship in Children’s Care, Learning and Development delivered by training provider Itec Skills and Employment.
Now the nursery has been shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards Cymru and will be competing to become Small Employer of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on October 20.
Jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW), the coveted awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC and supported by media partner, Media Wales.
Thirty star learners, employers and learning providers involved in the delivery of successful skills programmes across Wales have been shortlisted for the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.
The Apprenticeship Programme is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
The awards are designed to showcase and celebrate the outstanding achievements of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s Traineeships and Apprenticeship programmes.
Archway Court nursery specialises in a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning, with apprentices gaining experience in the workplace. Supported by skilled assessors, apprentices develop into high quality practitioners who enrich children’s learning experience.
Training programmes are tailored to suit the individual’s learning style and specific time is allocated to complete work without interfering with the employee’s personal life. Continuous support is provided to ensure that the workload is manageable and appropriate to the employee’s position and learners who excel during their apprenticeship are identified for progression.
People over the age of 25 who wish to change career or may not have excelled in school are given a chance to learn and shine at the nursery
David Clissitt, head of apprenticeships at Itec Skills and Employment, said: “Archway Court utilises the Apprenticeship Programme to bring out the best in every learner and, as a business, they’re always looking for ways to improve.”
Praising the standard of applicants this year and congratulating Archway Court Nursery on being shortlisted for an award, Skills and Science Minister, Julie James said: “This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“This year’s shortlisted entrants include exceptional individuals who have excelled in their workplace and learning providers and employers that have gone the extra mile to support the apprentices they are working with. Their stories never cease to amaze and inspire.
“Apprenticeships and vocational skills training are essential ingredients of economic success and vital tools in building a stronger, fairer and more equal Wales.
“These awards provide a perfect platform to celebrate success and reward the hard work and dedication of learners, employers and training providers across Wales. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the night.”
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