At Ragamuffins Day Nursery, we believe in creating a nurturing environment where children aged three months to five years can thrive through play-based learning. Our focus is on fostering individual development in a safe, welcoming space, encouraging every child to explore and express their creativity.
Celebrating 30 wonderful years this year, with three nurseries across Redditch, we are dedicated to giving each child the best possible start in life. Our highly trained and passionate team works closely with parents, ensuring seamless continuity of care and learning between home and nursery.
Recognised for Excellence
We’re proud to have recently won the Childcare SME Employer of the Year at the Paragon Skills Apprenticeship Awards 2024. At Ragamuffins, we believe that apprentices are the future of childcare. Our role as experienced staff is to inspire and support them, helping them become exceptional role models while furthering their own learning and development. Together with Paragon Skills, we’re committed to upskilling our team for the benefit of everyone involved.
Quote: “I love watching the staff grow and develop just as much as the children. Given the right support, anyone can achieve amazing things, and it’s my job to equip them for success.” – Emily Williams, Manager
Embracing Apprenticeships
At Ragamuffins, we recognise the incredible value apprentices bring to the childcare sector. We’re dedicated to recruiting and retaining talent through our apprenticeship programmes, currently supporting over 20 apprentices at various levels. We provide off-the-job training, guiding them in their tasks and helping them put their learning into practice.
We embrace the entire learning journey—from functional skills to tailored support throughout their apprenticeship. We understand that every learner’s path is unique, and we’re committed to adapting our approach to meet their individual needs. We always make time for our staff to learn and grow.
Tailored support for every apprentice
Our commitment to apprenticeships means we engage with dedicated individuals across our organisation and collaborate closely with training providers and tutors. Each member of our team is treated as an individual, ensuring their specific needs are met.
Since partnering with Paragon Skills in January 2023, we’ve been able to offer bespoke apprenticeship training that truly caters to our staff. Our Paragon Skills tutor is organised, approachable, and always on hand to support our team. We’re impressed by how responsive they are, allowing us to provide a range of Level 2, 3, and 5 apprenticeships while fostering continuous personal development for each staff member.
With over 30 team members currently undertaking apprenticeships, we’re proud that some of our senior staff and team leaders began their careers with us as apprentices. We’ve supported them through their progression, offering opportunities to develop and advance within our nursery.
Ongoing communication and support
We hold regular face-to-face meetings with our apprentices and their tutors every month, along with remote check-ins every two weeks. Our nursery manager also participates in regular updates with tutors to discuss each apprentice’s progress and identify areas where they may need additional support. This open communication fosters transparency and collaboration with Paragon Skills, allowing us to meet every learner’s needs effectively.
At Ragamuffins Day Nursery, we’re passionate advocates for apprenticeships. We emphasise that apprentices are a vital part of our team, contributing to our commitment to develop and coach staff to excel in their roles. By working together with Paragon Skills, our apprentices gain the essential skills and knowledge to support children’s development, understand their needs, and provide the best care possible.
Join us in shaping the future of childcare, together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young children and the professionals who care for them!
