Celebrating Our Apprentices at Hopscotch Seven Dials

Celebrating Our Apprentices at Hopscotch Seven Dials ?

As National Apprenticeship Week continues, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the talented apprentices at Hopscotch Seven Dials. Apprenticeships play a vital role in shaping the future of early years education, providing hands-on experience, valuable training, and a strong foundation for a rewarding career.

Today, we’re introducing the wonderful apprentices at our Seven Dials nursery, who are sharing their experiences, favourite moments, and aspirations for the future. Let’s meet them! ?✨

Meet Tegan: Supporting Children's Development Through Hands-On Learning

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, today we’re introducing Tegan, a dedicated apprentice at Hopscotch Seven Dials. Passionate about early years education, Tegan is gaining valuable hands-on experience while working towards her qualifications.

Her role involves supporting children across the nursery, helping them develop key skills and confidence through engaging activities. She finds joy in small group learning, watching children grow, and being part of their journey from the baby room to school.

Let’s hear more from Tegan about her apprenticeship experience! ?✨

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

I chose to do a level 5 apprenticeship because I want work my way up to a full degree in early childhood studies.

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

Everyday I support Blue group with their breakfast but after that my days are quite varied. I’m the SENCO so some days I work with individual children to help them reach their specific targets and goals. Other days I work on group. I work across all age groups so I get to know all the children across the nursery really well.

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

My favourite part of the day is working in small groups with a few children and seeing their skills and confidence grow each week.

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

What I enjoy most about working with children is getting to be there for a child’s whole nursery journey. There are some children who I have supported from when they started in the baby room to when they went to school.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

I would recommend doing an apprenticeship because you get hands on experience while also getting a qualification.

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

My fondest memories at hopscotch are all the trips I have been on. We regularly go to the park and beach but I have also taken the children to story time at the fringe festival, trips on the train and bus and visits to lots of different types of shops.

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

In five years I hope to have completed the level 5 apprenticeship and be working towards a degree in early childhood studies.

Meet Alfreya: Finding Her Passion in Early Years

After university and working in another field, Alfreya realised her true passion lay in early years education. She loves creative activities, messy play, and outdoor exploration, but most of all, seeing children develop new skills and confidence. One of her fondest memories is picking plums in the nursery garden and sharing them at snack time. In the future, she hopes to work in SEN, and she’s grateful for the training and support at Hopscotch to help her achieve that goal.

Let’s hear from Alfreya! ?✨

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

After going to university and working for a few years, I felt there was still something missing from the career I had chosen. I had always been interested in working with children, especially making a difference in the Early Years stage!

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

Most days, I make breakfast for the children in Yellow Room, chatting to them about what they’re looking forward to and greeting them as they arrive. I usually set up a messy play activity for them to get stuck into. After snack time, we spend time in the soft room, where I like to do yoga and movement activities.

We then head into the garden, where I love supporting the children as they explore nature and outdoor activities. Next is lunch and nap time, followed by free play and then story and song time, which is one of my favourite parts of the day. After tea or a snack, we have more free play and soft room time, before ending our day with stories. I enjoy taking each child out at pick-up time to give feedback on their day and remind them of everything they got up to!

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

My favourite part of the day is any creative activity, such as painting, where I can support the children as they use their imaginations—they’re always so excited to show off their work when they take it home!

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

I really enjoy watching them realise their own abilities and achieve new skills—it's so heart-warming to see the excitement on their faces!

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

I would definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship. It allows me to gain a qualification in a new field while learning first-hand through experience.

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

One of my fondest memories at Hopscotch has to be picking plums from the garden tree in summer and seeing the children get so excited to eat them at snack time!

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

In five years, I would love to be working with children in an SEN capacity. I believe this is achievable at Hopscotch because of the amazing training opportunities and the chance to learn from experienced staff, who I’ve already gained so much from.

Meet Ruby: Growing Her Skills in Early Years

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, today we’re introducing Ruby, an apprentice at Hopscotch Seven Dials who is passionate about early years education. She loves creating fun, engaging activities for the children and cherishes the bonds she builds with them.

From messy play and outdoor adventures to seeing children grow in confidence, Ruby is making the most of her apprenticeship by gaining hands-on experience and valuable qualifications.

Let’s hear more from Ruby! ?✨

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

I have always enjoyed looking after children and knew I wanted to work in Early Years. Doing an apprenticeship allows me to gain hands-on experience while studying for my qualification

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

Every day is different, but I usually start by helping to set up activities and welcoming the children into the nursery. I love getting involved in messy play, outdoor games, and storytime. Snack time and meals are also important parts of the day, where I support the children in learning independence. The day always ends with lots of smiles, songs, and stories!

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

I love messy play because it allows children to be creative and expressive, and I enjoy helping them explore new textures and materials.

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

Seeing their confidence grow each day and building strong bonds with them is the most rewarding part of my job.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

Yes! It’s the best way to learn while working, and I love that I can apply my learning straight away in a real setting.

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

My favourite memory is taking part in outdoor adventures with the children, especially when we go to the park and explore nature together.

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

In five years, I hope to be a fully qualified early years practitioner, continuing to grow my skills and career. Hopscotch is a great place to learn and progress, so I believe it’s definitely achievable!

Meet Daisy: Learning and Growing in Early Years

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating Daisy, an apprentice at Hopscotch Seven Dials. She loves messy play, outdoor adventures, and seeing children grow in confidence. Gaining hands-on experience while working towards her qualification, Daisy is building a bright future in Early Years education.

Let’s hear from Daisy! ?✨

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

Ever since I was young, I've had a deep passion for caring for and nurturing babies and children. Teaching my younger siblings new skills has always brought me so much joy. That’s why I felt that a career in Early Years would suit me perfectly—doing something I love every single day!

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

In the baby room, mornings start off quite relaxed. The children enjoy their breakfast, while some settle down for morning naps to calming sleep music, creating a lovely atmosphere.

Once snack time rolls around, we dive into messy play activities like playdough, painting, water play, and more! Then, it’s time for outdoor play, soft room fun, or a lovely buggy walk.

After this, we have free play before gathering for group time just before lunch. After lunch, the little ones have a well-deserved nap, giving us a chance to catch up on written work.

When they wake up, we enjoy more free play before tea. After tea, we love playing music and dancing—it’s always a blast! We wrap up the day with fun in the soft room or a big group story and song time alongside the Yellow group.

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

I absolutely adore creative messy play activities! Getting stuck in with the fun and seeing the children's creativity come to life is amazing!

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

It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the children reach new milestones! Seeing how proud they are of themselves warms my heart.

It’s also wonderful to see how much my past key children and cohort have grown up when I visit the groups they’re in now. They’re always so welcoming and eager to chat, which is really sweet.

5. Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship? Why?

Absolutely! An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to learn while you work, and the support from everyone is invaluable.

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

One of my favourite memories at Hopscotch was our trip to Jubilee Library for Baby Boogie! The children had an absolute blast and showcased their greatest dance moves!

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

In five years, I’d love to become a childminder or nanny after achieving my qualification. I think it would be so rewarding to build strong bonds with children and work closely with parents to support their development.

As National Apprenticeship Week continues, tomorrow we’ll be introducing the apprentices from our Brighton nursery. Check back to hear their stories!