Daisy Daycare: Investing in Future Talent With Modern Apprenticeships

Supporting Learners, Building Confidence and Strengthening the Workforce

When Sarah Deacon, owner of Daisy Day Care, decided to invest in Modern Apprenticeships, her goal was straightforward: develop new talent, address skills shortages and continue supporting the Early Years sector by creating opportunities for future practitioners.

Having received positive recommendations from another employer who had previously worked with RT Resources, Sarah chose to work with us to help develop her workforce and support aspiring Early Years professionals.

Today, the impact of that decision can be seen through the experiences and achievements of Modern Apprentices Nadice  O’Donnell and Esther McCurry, amongst others.

Creating Opportunities Through Work-Based Learning

For Nadice, the Modern Apprenticeship provided an opportunity to achieve a recognised qualification in a way that suited her learning style.

Having previously struggled in traditional classroom environments due to dyslexia, she found the work-based learning approach much more accessible and confidence-building.

“I was hoping to gain a qualification that would help me progress in my career and give me more confidence in myself, even though I had struggled with education in the past.”

The ability to learn while working proved invaluable.

“I chose this course because it allowed me to learn while working and gain experience at the same time.”

Esther was equally motivated by the opportunity to gain practical experience while working towards a qualification.

“I wanted to be a part of helping children grow and develop. It also helped me learn while working towards a qualification.”

Building Confidence and Professional Practice

Both Modern Apprentices highlighted confidence as one of the biggest changes they experienced during their apprenticeship journey.

Nadice credits the qualification with helping her better understand children’s individual needs and how to adapt her practice to ensure every child is included.

“I have developed my skills and have a better understanding of how to support children’s individual needs. I am now more confident within myself.”

She recalls a particular situation where learning from the qualification directly influenced her practice:

“A child was finding it difficult to take part in an activity. Through what I learned during my MA about children’s individual needs and development, I understood I had to adapt the activity for the child rather than expecting them to take part like everyone else.”

Similarly, Esther found her confidence growing as her experience and knowledge developed.

“My confidence has grown and I am more confident within my job and working with the children.”

She also believes the qualification has helped her handle challenging situations more effectively.

“Knowing from learning experiences what to do in difficult situations, how to deal with them and how to help children.”

Career Progression and Increased Responsibility

The benefits of the programme have extended beyond personal confidence.

Since completing her qualification, Nadice has secured a role as a qualified practitioner within the nursery’s 2-3 room and has taken on the additional responsibility of Staff Wellbeing Coordinator.

Esther has also seen her responsibilities increase.

“I’ve been given a key group and have the opportunity to be involved in meetings with external agencies and families.”

These examples demonstrate how Modern Apprenticeships can support meaningful career progression while helping employers develop skilled and capable team members from within their workforce.

Employer Perspective

For Sarah Deacon, the benefits of investing in Modern Apprenticeships have been clear.

Sarah reported significant improvements in apprentice skills progression, confidence and understanding of industry standards. She also highlighted the positive impact apprentices have on nursery operations once qualified.

“The qualification delivered by RT Resources is of a high standard which has supported our Modern Apprentices’ skills alongside the practical element of learning gained within the nursery.”

Sarah explained that many Modern Apprentices remain with the nursery after qualifying, helping create workforce stability and continuity.

“This has resulted in a steadier workflow for the nursery as we have then gone on to employ the Modern Apprentices once they have qualified.”

She also recognised the value of creating opportunities for a wider range of learners:

“It has also allowed older, more mature students to access the qualification.”

When asked about the support provided throughout the programme, Sarah was clear in her feedback:

“RT Resources are very supportive of both the candidate and employer.”

And finally:

“I would like to thank RT Resources for their professionalism, knowledge and support when training our Modern Apprentices.”

Looking Ahead

Sarah has confirmed that Daisy Day Care would confidently consider recruiting additional Modern Apprentices in the future, reflecting the positive experience of both the nursery and its learners.

The experiences of Nadice and Esther demonstrate the real value of Modern Apprenticeships within Early Years settings. By combining practical workplace experience with structured learning and support, Modern Apprenticeships are helping learners build confidence, develop professional skills and progress in rewarding careers while enabling employers to grow a skilled and sustainable workforce.

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You can find out more information about qualifications in Children & Young People and Download our Employer Guide. To find out how we can support you or your nursery with MA’s please contact us.