Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at Hopscotch!

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at Hopscotch! ?

At Hopscotch, we’re passionate about supporting the next generation of early years professionals, and National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the amazing apprentices across our nurseries!

All week, we’ll be showcasing apprentices from our different settings, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at their journeys, experiences, and aspirations. To kick things off, we’re starting at Hopscotch Hove Station, where our talented apprentices share what they love about working in early years, what they’ve learned so far, and their advice for others considering an apprenticeship.

Let’s meet them! ?

Meet Maria: A Passionate Apprentice at Hopscotch Hove Station

To kick off National Apprenticeship Week, we’re introducing Maria, one of our fantastic apprentices at Hopscotch Hove Station. From a young age, Maria knew she wanted to work with children, and her apprenticeship has given her the perfect opportunity to turn that passion into a career.

In this Q&A, Maria shares what a typical day looks like, why she loves messy play, and how working with children has taught her valuable life skills. She also reflects on the joy of seeing little ones reach key milestones and talks about her aspirations for the future.

Let’s hear more from Maria! ✨

1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?

I have always been deeply passionate about working with kids. I grew up in a big family and have always enjoyed the company of little ones and frequently received compliments on my ability to connect with them.

2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?

It really depends, everyday is different. It’s always so much fun, but in different ways. It depends on the children we have in that day, but always messy play, group times and fun!

3. What’s your favourite part of the day?

Messy play. It’s a fun way to interact in smaller groups and support their learning.

4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?

Since working in childcare, I have seen that children can have also have good and bad days, just like us, and although we follow our daily routine, some days do not always go as we planned. But that’s okay, sometimes you just think fast and solve situations in the moment, because of this I have gained more patience and learnt to go with it.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

I am so grateful doing my apprenticeship at Hopscotch. It’s been amazing so far and I’m getting a lot of support. All the staff members have time to answer my questions and I’m constantly learning new things thanks to them.

6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?

When they reach a key milestone, I feel so proud! It melts my heart when they say my name for the first time!

7. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and do you think that’s achievable at Hopscotch?

After gaining my level 3 childcare qualification, I will continue my journey at Hopscotch and working with children as it’s what I am passionate about. I would love to continue learning and progressing my career and eventually apply for a higher position.

Meet Sophie: Finding Her Path in Early Years

After graduating from university, Sophie knew she wanted to work with children but didn’t have childcare qualifications—until she found Hopscotch’s apprenticeship programme! Since then, she’s loved every moment, especially messy play, seeing children grow, and the heartwarming moments when they recognise her and say her name. In the future, she hopes to combine her musical theatre degree with childcare to inspire little ones through the performing arts.

Let’s hear from Sophie! ?✨

1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?

I graduated uni and knew that I wanted to work with children, so started looking for a job in childcare. I didn’t have childcare qualifications and that’s how I found hopscotch.

2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?

A typical day at Hopscotch involves lots of lovely fresh air in the garden, enjoying super fun messy activities, and lots of free play with the lovely toys we have in each room. We also enjoy lots oof yummy snacks and food, but as with everything, every day is different!

3. What’s your favourite part of the day?

Messy play time! Creating new activities and watching the children exploring is amazing to see.

4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?

It’s interesting to see how differently children develop, and how their likes and dislikes change regarding their abilities. Its so interesting to watch them play and explore. Seeing them learn more and more is so rewarding!

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

The staff are so supportive and understanding of those who are still training and learning. Everyone wants everyone to succeed, which creates the most supportive and caring atmosphere for the staff and children. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?

When the children begin to recognise me and say my name! Seeing them smile when they see me and those moments when a child remembered me will stay with me forever.

7. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and do you think that’s achievable at Hopscotch?

I would like to combine my degree in musical theatre with childcare and support children wanting to be in the performing arts!

Meet Grace: Learning and Growing in Early Years

Grace first completed her Level 2 qualification in 2021 and is now working towards her Level 3, keen to open up new opportunities in early years education. She enjoys the fresh start each morning brings, especially planning activities and messy play. Building relationships with children and parents has been the most rewarding part of her journey so far, and she’s excited to see what the future holds at Hopscotch!

Let’s hear from Grace! ?✨

1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?

I completed my Level 2 qualification in 2021, and I decided I wanted to progress further. I'm now working towards my Level 3 qualification, as it opens more doors and opportunities.

2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?

No day is the same, each day is full of surprises!

3. What’s your favourite part of the day?

I quite like mornings. They feel like a fresh start—an opportunity to create and plan activities and messy play. We have our morning huddles to check in with staff and discuss the day ahead. It’s just nice to get organised and ready for a busy day!

4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?

I enjoy creating relationships and bonding with children and parents and watching the children progress.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

Yeah, I would! An apprenticeship helps you progress whilst earning and learning new skills every day.

6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?

When I first passed my level 2 qualification, I was so excited!

7. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and do you think that’s achievable at Hopscotch?

I’m not sure where I’ll be in 5 years, but that’s exciting! I’m excited to see what Hopscotch has to offer me.

Meet Sophie-Leigh: Gaining Experience for the Future

For Sophie-Leigh, an apprenticeship in early years is the perfect way to gain valuable experience, develop transferable skills, and keep her future options open. She loves messy play, creating fun activities, and knowing she’s making a positive impact on children's lives. Seeing little ones achieve key milestones is a highlight, and while she’s unsure of her exact path, she’s grateful that Hopscotch is giving her a strong foundation for whatever comes next.

Let’s hear from Sophie-Leigh! ?✨

1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?

Another qualification gives me valuable experience. It opens many doors, allows me to work in more places, and helps me develop a range of transferable skills!

2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?

A typical day involves creating exciting activities and generally just making sure all the children are happy, safe and well taken care of.

3. What’s your favourite part of the day?

Messy play!

4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?

Knowing that I can make a difference in a child’s life and watching them grow up and seeing their personalities grow too.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

Yes, you get paid to learn! You meet lots of different people and learn lots of things, its super flexible too which is great.

6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?

Watching a child achieve a key milestone. Whether that be smiling at me, taking their first steps, or saying my name for the first time.

7. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and do you think that’s achievable at Hopscotch?

I’m not sure yet, but definitely something involving children—maybe child medicine. Hopscotch has given me the opportunities and a strong starting point to work towards these goals.

Meet Leah: Passionate About Child Development

Leah chose an Early Years apprenticeship to deepen her understanding of child development and education, and she’s loving every moment of hands-on learning. Her favourite parts of the day are messy play and garden time, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to watch children reach new milestones. One of her proudest moments was helping a child settle in, showing just how much she’s grown in confidence. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue progressing at Hopscotch, with aspirations of becoming a lead practitioner or deputy manager.

Let’s hear from Leah! ?

1. Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Early Years?

I chose an apprenticeship in Early Years because I wanted to learn more about child development and early years education.

2. What does a typical day at the nursery look like for you?

We come in, take off our shoes and coats, and enjoy breakfast. Then it’s time for free play, followed by a trip to the garden to get our adrenaline pumping and bodies moving. After that, we have a snack and take part in a fun, interactive group activity. Before the day is done, there’s more fun—maybe even some dancing—and everyone goes home happy!

3. What’s your favourite part of the day?

Messy play or garden time.

4. What do you enjoy most about working with children?

When they’ve been trying to do something for ages, and then one day they finally get it! It’s great watching that progression.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

Yes! I feel like it gives you a good foundation of knowledge with lots of opportunities to develop

6. Can you share your fondest memory so far at Hopscotch?

I remember a child who was settling into nursery. One day, they were quite sad, and nothing seemed to help them settle. But I sat down with them, and I managed to comfort them until they settled nicely and fell asleep. I was so proud of myself!

7. Where do you see yourself professionally in five years, and do you think that’s achievable at Hopscotch?

Still at Hopscotch hopefully! I would like to be a lead practitioner and deputy manager one day.

As we continue celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, we are delighted to showcase the dedication and enthusiasm of our apprentices at Hopscotch Hove Station. Their passion for early years education and commitment to supporting children’s development highlight the invaluable role apprenticeships play in shaping future professionals.

Tomorrow, we turn our focus to the apprentices at Hopscotch Seven Dials, where we will hear more inspiring stories about their experiences and aspirations. Stay tuned!