Previously completing her Level 3 Playwork qualification with us, Eve is moving on up to a management role and is now studying for her Level 5.
Her commitment to her learning, as well as her dedication to her Essential Skills certifications, has been commended by multiple staff members at TSW.
With her recent promotion in the bag, Eve is flying in her current role. We sat down to chat with her about her apprenticeship experience and what it’s like to step into a management position.
Hello! Please would you introduce yourself?
My name’s Eve Rees and I work in a nursery.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I give children breakfast when they come in, they have free play and then it’s snack time. We do a focus activity with them, then they go to any area they want to have a play. After dinner time, some of them have a nap, then we do another activity with the ones who are still awake.
At 3 o’clock, most of them go home, then we have after school club children who we pick up from two schools close by. They’re older children, so we do more age-relevant activities with them, whereas the younger children have free play, then they have their tea. And then they go home.
My goodness, you don’t stop! What apprenticeship are you doing with us, Eve?
I’ve just started Level 5 Playwork. It’s going good.
Do you think it’s improving how you do your job?
Yes, definitely. I’m learning more all the time. With my Level 5, it’s more a management role, so it’s learning new things about how to deal with certain situations. And then I’m picking up on things that happen in the setting that I can use in my work as well.
Let’s talk about your Training Advisor, Michelle…
She’s been really good. I did my Level 3 Playwork first of all, and I had Michelle with me then as well. There were no problems at all, we were really good at working together. Michelle’s been really good with everything. She’s supportive, she’s always giving information about what I can do next, what I can improve on, and what I’ve done well.
It’s lovely having a nice TA that you can connect with, isn’t it?
Yeah, definitely.
How did you interact with her?
Over email. If I have any problems, I know I can always call her.
Fully-funded Apprenticeships for Employers
Fully-funded Apprenticeships for Employers
Are you learning with a group or on your own?
The manager of the setting is doing her Level 5 Playwork as well. And because there are two settings, the manager of the other setting is doing it too.
Is it nice to have those people to bounce off?
Yeah, definitely.
It makes a difference, doesn’t it? How does your employer support you?
When I was doing my Level 3, I had to write about our policies, so she gave me some of them, so it was easy to look through. And because I haven’t been in the management position for long, she can help me because she’s been doing it a lot longer. If there’s anything I need to know higher up, she passes on the information.
What’s it been like stepping into the management role? Has it been quite a big transition?
Yeah, definitely. It’s just getting used to it.
I’ve heard you’re doing a wonderful job.
Thank you.
What motivates you to learn?
Just knowing I can move higher up in my job role. And I like knowing that I’ve got stuff to do.
Do you think taking an apprenticeship has changed your life? It could be small changes, like an improved process at work, or big changes like improved confidence and happiness.
I’d say both of them; it’s just made it easier so I can work at the same time and get money.
It’s learning while you earn, so it makes a big difference, doesn’t it?
Definitely.
What advice would you give to people thinking of taking up an apprenticeship?
I’d recommend it – it’s an easy balance.
What are your career aspirations? Where will we see you in 10 years?
I’d like to be in the same job, just moving up to get more knowledge, but I enjoy what I do.