School readiness milestone announcement

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday an ambitious milestone that seeks to improve early years education, aiming to increase the proportion of four- and five-year-olds ready to start school from 60% to 75%, by the end of the current government’s term. Mark Botha, CEO of Shaping Lives, a training provider that specialises in apprenticeships for…

Introducing Shaping Lives: Your partner in early childhood education excellence

We’re absolutely thrilled to introduce Shaping Lives, a brand-new adventure from the Knovia Group, offering specialised training and apprenticeships in early childhood education! With 20 years of experience in the early years sector (originally delivered through Paragon Skills), Shaping Lives is all about nurturing the next wave of amazing educators. To kick things off, we’re…

Meet Arti: Shaping Lives’ newest team member and early years champion!

We’re thrilled to introduce you to Arti the Orangutan, Shaping Lives’ very own mascot and the heart of our mission! Arti brings a new wave of energy to our team, and he’s here to be a playful inspiration as we work together to shape young lives. But who exactly is Arti, and why an orangutan,…

Shaping bright futures: Supporting men in early years education

Guest Blog by Claudio Sisera, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs When we think of early years education, we often picture a nurturing environment where young children grow and learn. This essential stage lays the groundwork for a child’s future, and having a diverse group of educators is key to…

Building bright futures: Why early years educators matter more than ever

Guest Blog by Shaping Lives’ Childcare Development Manager, Stephanie Sobic It’s easy to imagine that working in early years education is just “playing all day.” In reality, Early Years Educators do so much more—they’re helping to build tomorrow’s adults, one step at a time. The Real Role of Play in Learning In Early Years, play…

Apprenticeships explained: your path to an exciting career

Thinking about starting your career or taking it to the next level? You’re in the right place! Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to gain valuable skills while earning money. If you’re curious about how to get started, we’re here to guide you through the process and answer your burning questions. Let’s dive in! How do…

Apprenticeships unleashed: Your pathway to professional growth with Shaping Lives

Are you ready to carve out your dream career in early childhood education or elevate your skills in your current role? Look no further—an apprenticeship with Shaping Lives could be the exciting journey you’ve been searching for! Let’s explore the fantastic benefits that come with joining our apprenticeship adventure in the vibrant world of childcare….

The power of play: Understanding child development in early years

Guest blog by Amy Baines, Childcare Personal Tutor at Shaping Lives After spending many years in the early years sector, I’ve come to realise just how magical play is in shaping a child’s development. It’s not just fun and games—play is the heart and soul of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is celebrated…

Fostering education: Discover our enhanced teaching assistant level 3 apprenticeship

At Shaping Lives, we’re thrilled to offer an in-depth look at our Teaching Assistant Level 3 apprenticeship programme. This thoughtfully designed course is here to strengthen and elevate your teaching team, equipping them with the essential tools and confidence they need to provide outstanding education to your pupils. Key themes of the apprenticeship Our programme…