Learner E-Newsletter 2022

Our Managing Director and Founder, Cheryl Hadland, has seen Aspire grow from 4 apprentices, to the aprox 3,000 learners that have completed apprenticeships with Aspire. See below what she had to say about the efforts of the past 25 years below.

“When I started Aspire with 4 apprentices in one nursery, Tops Day Nursery Parkstone, I did not imagine that 25 years later we would have around 350 learners every year, with twice as many non-Tops learners as Tops learners. We are very proud to be making such a huge contribution to early years education and care in our areas across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset.

Aspire has been described as world class and a Beacon for early years, and despite enormous financial difficulties in the sector nationally, continues to provide training for learners that equips them for working not only in day nurseries but across many sectors where great customers service, respect, and attention to detail in health and safety is required, as well as fantastic preparation for parenthood. Administration, customer service and management qualifications have been added to the Aspire portfolio as the most ambitious staff inevitably want and need these in addition to their essential early years training and Aspire has stepped up to the mark in delivering top quality training in these areas as well.

Aspire is one of the only B.Corp training providers in the country, and as such all decisions are taken with the environment, and social impacts taken into consideration and governance is transparent and ethical, as verified by B. Corp. Deficiencies in government funding can cause financial worries for Aspire as its dependent on this either directly or via the levy on larger employers, but assuming the government funding does consider inflation, utilities and wage competition, Aspire is confident of a buoyant future where the focus can be on excellence of training within the early years sector.”

End-Point Assessment (EPA) Results)
Aspire Training Team continues to successfully support apprentices through the End Point Assessment process, to date 96% have passed. We would like to congratulate all our Apprentices and wish them well. Congratulations!

Meet the Team!

Case Study: Libby Brighty (Early Years Trainer)

My journey into the Childcare sector started when I left school, I went to college but soon realised I wanted to learn on the job, so I became an apprentice in 2014 at an independent nursery and went on to complete my Level 3 Early Years Educator by early 2016. After completing my apprenticeship, I got promoted to a Senior Nursery Practitioner specialising in the two to three-year-old age group and worked myself up to third in charge by 2017.

Upon leaving my role within the nursery in 2018, I decided to become a nanny and help families with at home care for their children, this allowed me the opportunity to expand my knowledge within the sector but also allowed more time to achieve my Level 5 Foundation Degree in Early Years, which completed in 2019. After completing this, I decided to go on to study and complete my Level 6 BA Honours in Early Childhood Studies which I accomplished in early 2020.

I have always aspired to be an Early Year’s Trainer and feel now is the perfect time after achieving my degree and the A1 Assessor’s Award in Assessing Vocational Achievements. Being a Trainer will enable me to share my experiences alongside my knowledge of the Early Year’s sector to support and help learners to achieve their goals and extend their understanding in childcare.

Did you know?…

Over 130,000 workplaces offer apprenticeship places because they understand the benefits that apprentices bring to their business – increased productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce.

Case Study: Stephen Meakin (Business Team Manager and IQA)

I started with the Hadland Care Group in September 2018 when I joined the Aspire Training Team as a Business Skills Assessor. Since then, I have gained the position of Business Team Leader and IQA for the Business team.

I completed my Assessor Award and PTLLS Award with LearnDirect who I worked for, for nearly five years supporting learners in both the business and hospitality sectors to achieve their awards and qualifications.

Prior to working for LearnDirect, I was employed within the Hospitality sector for over 25 years in various positions, my last position in the Hospitality sector was working as a General Manager of a prestigious hotel and golf club near Guildford.

Over the years I have experienced many different roles whilst ‘climbing the ladder’ and feel that I am able to apply these experiences in my role, to ensure I amsupporting learners, trainers, and managers effectively.
I look forward to working with you.

Introduction to Childcare

Are you 16-24 years old and interested in or know someone that may be interested in developing skills working within the Early Years Sector.

We offer a level 1 study programme which is aimed at learning the skills and knowledge to support babies and young children’s growth and development. To find out more, please visit: www.aspiretrainingteam.co.uk

Qualifications in:

Level 1 Caring for Children
Level 2 Childcare Diploma
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Level 5 Diploma for the Early Years Senior Practitioner

Apprenticeships in:

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner

Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship – Early Years Educator

What course are you doing?
I am currently in the middle of doing my early years educator level 3.

#When did you start your early years’ course?
I began my course in August 2021.

Why did you think an early year’s course was the right path for your career development?

After working in childcare for ten months and after my six-month probation period I had a discussion with my managers saying how much I enjoy the job and would like to further my skills. They pointed me in the direction of the level 3 course, stating I was more than capable of starting on the level 3, from the experience I had already gained.

Tell us what you do in a typical day/week?
Every day is different, which is something I really like about the job. As an Assistant Nursery Nurse, I support my colleagues with all age groups, which has helped me gain experience. I carry out structured learning activities throughout the week, plan garden activities and set up free flow for the children. I assist the children with their needs and support them through their development.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy being around the children and watching them learn and grow. Also, if you teach them something new this is very rewarding.

What have been your biggest achievements during your course so far?
So far during my course, I have been able to keep up to date with all the work set whilst working a full-time nursery job, this is something I was a bit worried about, but I have been able to do so. All of the feedback from my work has been very positive which encourages me to keep working hard.

Why should someone consider an early year’s course?
You gain lots of new knowledge throughout this course to support you such as health and safety, first aid, safeguarding and partnership work, this can help you within a specific job role and it can also lead you to further careers.

What do you plan to do after your course finishes?
Once my course finishes, I will be staying in my current job. I would like to have my own group or work my way further up. In the future it can also lead me to other careers.

National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship week was held between the 7th and the 13th February this year, it was the 15th Annual weekly celebration of apprenticeships with the theme of ‘Build the Future’.

National Apprenticeship weeks aim is to celebrate the positive impact that apprenticeships bring to employers, individuals, and the economy. It’s a celebration of the hard work and committee throughout an apprentices’ learning journey into a career path.

This year we are celebrating Aspire’s 25th Anniversary!

It has been an incredible 25 years of growth, learning and collaboration with both learners and employers, making Aspire what it is today.

Our Managing Director and Founder, Cheryl Hadland, has seen Aspire grow from 4 apprentices, to the aprox. 3,000 learners that have completed
apprenticeships with Aspire.

On Tuesday 26th April, Aspire Training Team officially celebrated our 25th
Anniversary with a party for all of our employees. The party took place at The Hub in Southbourne, where we were joined by familiar faces, those we see only very rarely and those often behind a screen. It was a great opportunity to meet in person and build team morale.

To commemorate an incredible 25 years of training with Aspire, we planted a tree in The Hub garden. This tree will be a great reminder to all at Aspire of what has been achieved over the past years and what is to come in the future.

Business Skills

Qualifications in:

Essential Digital Skills
Level 1 Certificate in Business Administration
Level 2 Business & Administration Diploma
Level 2 Customer Service Diploma
Level 3 Diploma in customer Service
Level 2 Diploma in Team Leading
Level 3 Diploma in Management

Apprenticeships in:

Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner
Level 3 Business Administrator
Level 3 Customer Service Specialist
Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor

Interview with a Business Administration Level 3 Apprentice

When did you start your business course?
July 2021

Why did you think a business course was the right path for your career development?
I did well in my Business GCSE at school and enjoyed this subject which made me feel that business is the right job for me.

Tell us what you do in a typical day/week?
My day to day role involves communicating with customers through email, verbally or on site, scanning, archiving, adding bookings and making any necessary amendments to invoices.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy everything about my job but in particular I enjoy building relationships with the parents and my colleagues.

What have been your biggest achievements during your course so far?
Training our level 2 Administration apprentice has been my biggest achievement so far because I have never been given this level of responsibility before.

Why should someone consider a business course?
It helps to build your confidence and gain new skills and knowledge that you did not have beforehand.

What do you plan to do after your course finishes?
I plan to stay at Tops Day Nurseries and potentially be promoted if an opportunity arises.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is defined by the United Nations as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

To live sustainably we need to aim to balance the three pillars of sustainability: environment, society, and the economy. In doing this we aim to reduce the impact that we have on climate change and the Earth’s resources by reducing our “carbon Footprint’. Find out more about your carbon footprint and take a short quiz visit the World Wildlife Fund’s environmental footprint calculator at: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/

Sustainable living means reducing the amount of Earth’s resources that we use and allowing the time for these to replenish. We can do this by limiting the amount of energy we use, using eco-friendly products and making changes to our diet. We can all take steps both large and small that improve the sustainability of Earth’s resources as an individual, a family, or a business.

What can you do to become more sustainable?

• Use renewable energy sources to power homes and businesses such as solar power
• Replace light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs such as LEDs
• Switch off appliances on standby, such as your TV
• Turn your heating down
• Dry your clothes by hanging them rather than using a dryer
• Walk or ride a bike instead of driving when possible
• Drinking water from the tap instead of bottled water and use a refillable bottle
• Purchasing only as much food as you can eat before the food spoils
• Try to eat less meat by introducing new dishes, or by replacing items for vegetarian or vegan alternatives
• Go paperless at home and in the office

Recycle or repurpose using the 6 R’s

Rethink – could you do something different to reduce and prevent waste?
Refuse – are there materials or resources you could refuse?
Reduce – How could you use less of a material or resource?
Reuse – could the item have another use once it is no longer needed?
Recycle – Are the materials recyclable?
Repair – can you repair the item rather than through it away?
-Try to grow your own fruit and vegetables
-Donate used items to local charities

Don’t forget reducing your energy usage not only benefits the environment but hopefully, it should help to reduce the costs you pay for energy.

Healthy Eating

Your body weight is determined by the amount of energy obtained from your food compared to the amount of energy that your body is using. Any extra energy (calories) you take in from food and drink is mostly stored as fat. To lose weight, the energy you take in from food must be less than the energy you use, in other words, eat less and exercise more.

Physical activity increases the amount of energy you are using, increases your muscles (lean tissue mass), and helps to increase your metabolic rate and maintain weight loss. Physical activity also reduces the risk of weight loss reaching a plateau level, which is often seen when people are trying to lose weight. To increase your physical activity so that it can become part of your routine, make sure you choose activities that you enjoy and that you can easily include in your daily lifestyle, such as using the stairs instead of taking lifts or escalators. Also, try to walk or cycle short journeys, for example, do the school run on foot instead of taking the car, go for a walk during your lunch break or go for walks or bike rides at weekends with friends or family.

To help lose excess weight you will need to reduce the calories you eat. This can be achieved by reducing portion sizes and choosing different types of food. For example, eating less highcalorie foods or filling up on vegetables and salads will reduce the calories and increase weight loss.

Water makes up two-thirds of the body and therefore is essential for many functions. Remaining hydrated allows all the bodily processes to work effectively. Dehydration can cause a decrease in energy as the body’s primary aim shifts to preserving fluid levels within the body as opposed to converting energy. You should aim to drink between 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day.

Below are a few ideas that could help:

• Eat wholegrain foods, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, and pasta. They’re digested more slowly than the white varieties, so will help you feel full for longer.
• Aim for 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day; at least one serving with every meal.
• Replace snacks such as chocolate, biscuits, and crisps with healthy alternatives like dried fruit and nuts.
• Think of how you are preparing food and instead of frying or roasting food, boil, poach, grill, steam, or microwave it and remove excess fat from meat before cooking.
• Often, we think we are hungry when really, we are thirsty, so try having a glass of water before something to eat.

Dates for your Diary

2nd to the 5th June 2022
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The nation will come together over a four-day Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign. The four-day celebrations will feature an extensive program of events. To find out more visit the web page below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-bank-holiday-to-mark-the-queensplatinum-jubilee-in-2022 

Posted in: Advice, Apprenticeship, Aspire Company News, Community, General, Meet the team, sustainability