About us

At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education. As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0-5. Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way.

Nursery teacher with children sitting on the floor Tick

Our mission

Our mission is clear: to shape the next generation of early years educators, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and passion needed to inspire young minds. Our apprenticeships don’t just provide qualifications—they empower educators to grow in their careers, while making a lasting impact in your nursery.

We want to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning in every individual. Our goal is to make learning engaging, accessible, and transformative. Developing and equipping educators with the skills, knowledge and confidence to fulfil their potential, make a positive impact and to inspire others in their turn, especially young children in their early development.

We achieve this by sharing our extensive knowledge and experience, employing innovative teaching methods, and creating a nurturing learning environment.

 

Why choose Shaping Lives?

Partnering with Shaping Lives isn’t just about training—it’s about building a future-ready team that gets results! Here’s what makes us different:

Tailored Learning: Our hands-on, practical experience is personalised to fit your nursery’s unique needs. Our curriculum is best in class and uses innovative teaching and learning approaches.

Expert Support: With our experienced tutors offering real-world advice, your team will be set to shine. All out tutors have worked in the childcare sector and have first-hand experience.

Commitment to Quality: We’re all about helping every apprentice succeed, with many achieving top distinctions. We are an Ofsted ‘Good’ rated company and have a real focus on quality teaching and learning.

Trusted Recruitment: We take the hassle out of recruitment, helping you find and upskill the right talent so you can stay focused on running your nursery!

Young caucasian child playing at playschool with teacher. Mother and son at playroom drawing a draw with colour pencils

Real stories. Real Impact.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a hero in real life? See how our childcare apprentices work their daily magic—helping little minds grow and thrive, one exciting moment at a time!

The metrics of magic - the numbers shaping futures!

At Shaping Lives, our success isn’t just measured in achievements, it’s counted in the countless little lives we’ve positively impacted! Each number tells a story of growth, learning, and joy in our childcare apprenticeships. From the milestones reached by our apprentices to the bright futures we’re helping to build, these metrics showcase the magic that happens every day in our nurseries. Join us as we celebrate the numbers that truly matter in shaping a brighter tomorrow for our apprentices, employers and of course the little ones!

1500+

apprentices

placed in early years settings yearly

91%

of apprentices

reported they were happy with their apprenticeship and the development this has brought them

93%

of apprentices

said their time in learning with Shaping Lives has helped them perform their job better

Our guiding principles

Welcome to our values! They’re at the heart of everything we do here at Shaping Lives. These guiding principles help us support each other, inspire growth, and make a real impact in early years education. Our values keep us focused, passionate, and true to our mission of shaping a brighter future, together!

Distinction

We excel in what we do. We earn recognition for always delivering the highest professional quality, outcomes and standards.

Edge

We excel in what we do. We earn recognition for always delivering the highest professional quality, outcomes and standards.

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Know-how

We excel in what we do. We earn recognition for always delivering the highest professional quality, outcomes and standards.

Passion

We excel in what we do. We earn recognition for always delivering the highest professional quality, outcomes and standards.

Arti the orangutang

Meet Arti

Meet Arti, our early years champion!

Say hello to Arti the Orangutan, Shaping Lives’ very own mascot and the heart of our mission! Arti’s here to bring a playful twist to our journey and inspire everyone as we shape young lives together. Why an orangutan? Like us, orangutans are dedicated caregivers, nurturing their young through those first five years, just like the early years educators we train and support! With his playful spirit, caring nature, and boundless curiosity, Arti truly embodies the essence of Shaping Lives.

Stay tuned—Arti’s got some big surprises in store for you and we can’t wait for you to join in the fun!

Our childcare employer champions

At Shaping Lives, we believe in the power of collaboration, and we’re proud to work alongside our supportive employer partners who share our vision for nurturing young minds. These dedicated employers play a vital role in our mission, providing invaluable opportunities for our childcare apprentices to learn, grow, and thrive in real-world settings. Together, we create a community that empowers both apprentices and the little ones they care for, shaping a brighter future for all.

YMCA-logo Littledots-logo Ragamuffins-nursery-logo little-giggles-logo Lilliput-Montessori-Day-Nursery-logo chatterbox kinder-city-logo Action_for_Children_Logo bright-beginnings barnardo's-logo blooming-wild-childcare-logo blossom-day-nursery apple-day-nursery autism-unlimited YMCA-logo Littledots-logo Ragamuffins-nursery-logo little-giggles-logo Lilliput-Montessori-Day-Nursery-logo chatterbox kinder-city-logo Action_for_Children_Logo bright-beginnings barnardo's-logo blooming-wild-childcare-logo blossom-day-nursery apple-day-nursery autism-unlimited

Shaping Lives impact stories

Welcome to our Shaping Lives impact stories section, where we celebrate the incredible journeys of our childcare apprentices and the lasting impact they’ve made in the lives of the little ones they nurture! Here, you’ll find heartfelt testimonials and inspiring accounts that showcase the transformative power of our programs. Each story highlights not only the personal growth of our apprentices but also the positive changes they bring to their nurseries and the communities they serve. Dive in and discover how Shaping Lives is shaping brighter futures, one success story at a time!

Contact us

Got questions, want to learn more, or ready to start shaping the future together? We’re here to help! Whether you’re interested in our apprenticeships, looking to partner with us, or simply want to know more about how we work, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team is always ready to chat and provide the guidance you need. Reach out today, and let’s explore how we can create brighter futures for little ones - together!

Contact us to start your journey with Shaping Lives.

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