For too long, apprenticeships have been seen as an expense. But in nurseries, Apprenticeships are an investment in your nursery’s future. Apprenticeships don’t just build skills; they strengthen your team, boost retention, and help deliver the very best outcomes for children. 

At Shaping Lives, we know that every penny counts in early years. That’s why apprenticeships are designed to deliver measurable returns, helping you balance the books today while investing in the future. 

 

Build capacity without the heavy recruitment bill 

Recruitment is expensive. Advertising, agency fees, induction, and then the cost of replacing staff when turnover hits, it all adds up. Apprenticeships offer a different approach. 

Hiring a mid-level professional can cost thousands in recruitment fees alone. By comparison, the average employer cost of an apprentice is around £8,000 per year, while they generate more than £30,000 in value. That’s a clear net gain, before even considering the long-term benefits of growing skills in-house. 

And the returns come quickly. Within just a few months, most apprentices transition from learners into valuable contributors. They ease the strain on colleagues, increase productivity, and make a real difference to your nursery. 

 

Develop loyal, skilled employees 

Staff retention is one of the biggest challenges for nurseries. Every time someone leaves, the cycle of rehiring, retraining, and resettling begins again, impacting your budget and your team. Apprenticeships help break that cycle. 

Grow talent from the beginning, and you’ll grow loyalty alongside it. Apprentices who feel invested in are more motivated, more engaged, and more likely to stay. In fact, research shows that 65% of apprentices remain with their employer once they complete their programme. 

Apprenticeships are an investment that strengthens your team now, while developing the practitioners who will shape your nursery’s future. 

Future-proof your nursery 

The early years sector is constantly evolving. Policy changes, shifting parental expectations, and growing demand for high-quality provision all put pressure on nursery leaders. Apprenticeships provide a way to stay ahead, by creating a pipeline of adaptable, skilled talent who are ready to step into new roles as your nursery develops. 

And the impact can be transformational. High-level apprenticeship programmes bring significant business value: employers investing in management apprenticeships collectively generated over £100 million in additional revenue in just one year. That’s not just training, it’s long-term strategy. 

Many nurseries we partner with have seen this first-hand. By embedding apprenticeships into their workforce plans, they are building stronger teams, creating opportunities for progression, and ensuring they are ready for the future. 

 

The bottom line 

Apprenticeships aren’t a cost to cut, they’re a powerful investment with both immediate and lasting returns. From reduced recruitment spend and boosted productivity, to loyal employees and future-ready leaders, the ROI is clear. 

At Shaping Lives, we work in partnership with nurseries to design exceptional apprenticeship programmes that grow skilled educators, support business success, and most importantly, ensure the best possible outcomes for children. 

If you’re ready to future-proof your nursery, it’s time to rethink apprenticeships; not as a cost, but as the investment that shapes tomorrow, today. 

 

Take a look at our Function Skills courses here:

Functional Skills English – level 2 commercial courses

Functional Skills Maths – level 2 commercial courses