Early Years Educator apprentice, Dottie Tots Nursery Schools Ltd

Meet Mark, an enthusiastic Early Years Educator apprentice at Dottie Tots Nursery Schools Ltd. He’s currently making waves in the childcare world and was recently honoured with the 25+ Childcare Apprentice of the Year Award at the Paragon Skills Apprenticeship Awards 2024!

Mark’s journey into early years education might not have been what he expected. He started out working with older children, never imagining he’d find his passion in the early years sector. But after gaining some experience with younger children, he realised his skills were a perfect match for this role. It wasn’t long before he decided to embrace this exciting opportunity.

Having seen several of his colleagues thrive through apprenticeships with Paragon Skills, Mark jumped at the chance to deepen his knowledge and experience. The support from Dottie Tots and Paragon Skills made it an easy choice—he knew he was in good hands.

What stands out about Mark is his positive approach to his work. Every day, he strives to ensure that the children in his care leave with smiles on their faces and new things to share. His apprenticeship is more than just training; it’s a treasure trove of fresh ideas and the essential knowledge he needs to excel in early childhood education. Mark is all about making the most of his learning journey!

Quote: A lot of educational routes give you the theory first and the experience later. Apprenticeships have these two strands running at the same time, so you can put what you’ve learnt immediately into practice.

Real learning, Real impact

One of the things Mark loves about his apprenticeship is the balance between theory and practice. While many courses throw theory at you first, apprenticeships let you dive right in—learning and applying your skills simultaneously. This hands-on approach is especially powerful in early years education. Mark can test out new ideas in real-time, meaning he’s well-equipped to advance his career by the time he graduates.

Reading up on various theories of child development has been a game-changer for him. This knowledge allows him to create activities tailored to each child’s learning style, boosting their chances of real success. For Mark, the ultimate goal is simple: he wants every child to go home happy, with something new to share with their families.

Support every step of the way

Mark can’t praise his employer and Paragon Skills enough. The flexibility they provide for off-the-job training hours and the encouragement he receives in the workplace have been invaluable. Plus, the extra guidance from his tutor and the wealth of resources from Paragon Skills have significantly boosted his confidence and the quality of his assignments.

As he looks to the future, Mark is excited to continue his journey at Dottie Tots. He’s committed to being the best educator he can be for the children in his care and is already considering taking on a managerial role down the line.

Mark’s story is just one example of how Shaping Lives can help aspiring educators like you turn your passion into a fulfilling career. If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of young children, just like Mark, your adventure awaits!