St.Joseph's Preschool Nursery Good News Stories!

Olivia Chandeller

Olivia started at Bury college and was put into a work experience placement at St Joseph's. The more time she spent at the nursery the more she realised she wanted to go onto an apprentice course and work at the nursery full-time. The nursery was happy to accommodate this and in 2016 she enrolled onto an apprentice course.  

Olivia felt the apprentice course was more practical and she gained more hands-on skills and knowledge and learned more than she felt she had through textbooks at college. 

As Olivia explains 

“I completed Level 2 in 2017 and then progressed onto level 3 funded by St Josephs. During this course, I was promoted to become Manager of the holiday club in September 2019. 

Covid came and I remained working through the lockdown looking after vulnerable children as well as children whose parents were key workers. 

In September 2020 I became acting manager and in January 2021 I was made the official Manager. 

I believe I would not have achieved this position so quickly (within 3 years) if I had continued at college. Working here full-time as an apprentice gained me experience, and real-life skills, helped me deal with real-life issues and experience as well as taught me how to keep pace in the workplace. 

I would recommend an apprentice to anyone as I believe it is hands-on, you learn quicker and how to gain communication and work as part of a team.” Apprentices are a valuable contribution to the workplace. 

Ellen Caine

Ellen started her career working as a volunteer at St Joseph's in 2016 she had completed her level 2 early years qualification at night school. After three months of volunteering Olivia was offered an apprentice 

At age 35 Ellen started an apprentice course with Rochdale training in order to gain a level 3. 

Ellen became a room leader and was then offered the Deputy Managers role on the condition she completed and achieved her level 3. 

As well as completing her level 3 she also completed her functional skills in maths, English, and IT. 

This was all whilst looking after two small children as a single parent. 

As Ellen says” do not let age stop you from taking on an apprentice, it improved my quality of life, I gained real skills, knowledge qualification, and also a wage that stopped me from getting into debt” 

“ I felt more supported, it was like I had a personal tutor, whereas in college it was all classroom style there was no room for any individual learning “ 

I feel any person no matter what age should explore the apprentice route