As we near the end of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, here at Kids Planet we decided to take a closer look behind the scenes at the teaching side of apprenticeships. We talked to three of our dedicated Tutor Assessor’s at Kids Planet Training Academy, all about their previous role and why they chose the training route.
Gill Mason, Head of Training and Development, said: ‘Kids Planet Academy has developed a unique programme of ‘growing our own’ apprentice assessor coaches as a way to support progression routes within the company.
As an outstanding early years provider, our apprentice assessors are role models for other early years educators, passing on their individual in-depth early years expertise to our apprentices.”
“In my role as an Apprentice Tutor/Assessor, I’m currently working towards a CAVA (Certificate of Assessing Vocational Achievement) and an Assessor/Coach Qualification. I am a qualified Primary School teacher, and before achieving my PGCE last year and spending a year teaching throughout KS1 and 2, I worked in a wide range of early years settings spanning over 14 years.
I initially achieved a childcare qualification after leaving school, then I began working my way up through different job roles, gaining first-hand knowledge and experience alongside my degree. I’ve worked as a Nanny, a Nursery Practitioner, a Pre-school Deputy Manager and a Nursery Manager. I am passionate about all things early years and education, so when I saw an advertisement last year for an Early Years Tutor/Assessor role with Kids Planet Training Academy, I knew I had to apply.
I love teaching and being able to teach about early years is an absolute dream. I also love learning and I’m always looking for ways to achieve and better myself through CPD, so being able to study alongside my role has been fantastic. Being an apprentice myself and assessing apprentices has also given me empathy for my learners and helped me to build positive relationships, as I have a direct insight as to what they’re experiencing.”
“Having been part of the Kids Planet family for seven years and with a passion for delivering exceptional care and education to under-fives in the nursery setting, I was keen to pass on the skills and experience I had gained to further develop the expanding workforce as a tutor/assessor.
I welcomed a new challenge and opportunity to progress my career and gain new qualifications whilst still working in a sector that I am passionate about.”
“For the past four months, I have been working towards achieving my assessor/coach qualification.
11 years ago now I completed a Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship, and I have been working as a practitioner in a nursery where I progressed to Room Leader.
Within that time I was able to build my knowledge of early years and gain plenty of experience.
It has always been my passion to become an assessor so when this opportunity came up, I did not hesitate. I have met so many wonderful people and I have enjoyed every part of my journey so far.”
Amy Lowe, Senior Tutor at Kids Planet Training Academy, said: “The apprentice assessor coaches have made an impressive start at the academy enhancing our team and our offering. They bring with them current extensive knowledge and skills that they have been able to share with our early years apprentices.”
The Kids Planet Training Academy launched in 2018 and we now have almost 400 apprentices on courses, aged 16 – 53, at varying stages in their careers.
If you’d like to find out more, please email training@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk.
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