Chat with Oyin

Oyin has recently started a Level 5 Apprenticeship which will take her 2 years to complete, she is doing this remotely whilst still working full time at the same Nursery she completed her Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship . Oyin is working towards Room Leader and then Deputy Manager. Whilst doing all of this Oyin is also mentoring some of the Apprentices within the setting.

• Why did you select an apprenticeship to start your career?

I chose an Apprenticeship because I’m very hands on and a classroom environment isn’t very motivating for me. I wanted to work with children and I can now do this whilst gaining a qualification at the same time. I get a chance to be with the children whilst I’m learning and putting it into practice what I have learnt.  

• How supported did you feel in your apprenticeship with Swift?

“I felt very supported and I felt I could ask questions at any time with my Assessor. Even through the application process I was helped a lot when there were things that I didn’t understand or bits I wasn’t sure where to fill out there was always someone there ready to help me which I really appreciated. My Assessor was amazing and really helped me to get though”.

• Did you have a final career goal in mind when you started?  

“At the time I didn’t really have long term childcare plans I just wanted to complete the application so I didn’t know but going through the Apprenticeship you get asked what your going to do after and that’s when I started researching, looking at the different options that I had. I did kind of feel overwhelmed because I never really wanted to be a teacher and I felt that’s where it was being pointed to but then when I actually sat down and thought about it I can actually do anything to do with Childcare. I have a few options that I want to do and keeping these open”.

• Have you got a long term career plan, you spoke about building your career path within a Nursery, do you know where you want to go after that?

“My long term plan is to actually open my own Nursery or child play centre for children who SEN, a place where their parents can have a break and we provide them with activities that will keep them stimulated and just keep them spirited. My mom used to be a Childminder and that’s how I was introduced into Childcare even though I was very young”.

• How did the Nursery support you? With off the job, completing assignments etc whilst working full time? 

“My Nursery was very supportive, I kept them up to date with everything that was going on, when I was struggling and feeling overwhelmed with all my coursework they understood and they made their best to make sure that I had time out of ratio to get that done. The Manager was really supportive and anything that I didn’t understand I could ask her and she would help me. They gave me the time and knowledge to get through my course”.

• Why do you think an apprenticeship is a good route to achieve your career? And what would you recommend about this apprenticeship to someone else?

“I would say do it! If you lay out all of the options in terms of acquiring a qualification. If you work best in a classroom then maybe the college or university route but for someone like me who likes to see the results of what they are doing or being hands on or someone who is just used to working or has been used to working and doesn’t want to stop to sit down and study, then it’s a great blend of both. Also you get to work to your own schedule, do things in your own time, you get the freedom to be an adult about it with no teacher shouting at you that you haven’t done it. You still have that feeling that your working, making money and learning- it’s the best of both worlds. It is the best option for me and I wish that I did it earlier”.

• What have been some of the best parts of your apprenticeship journey? How would you advise anyone that is hitting a difficult time in their apprenticeship?

First thing you should do is speak to your Assessor and adult that can give you guidance how to better manage your time or just to give you some help when it comes to your work. From the Intake side of the Apprenticeship the things that helped me get stuff done was having a timetable so you can complete your coursework before or after work or even whilst your at work if you have a spare moment, completing work little and often. It also depends upon how you learn, I’m someone that can’t sit there for 2 hours and just be writing I would loose focus so even if that means doing 15 minutes each day it will help me in the long run and before you know it you’ve done it.

• “What about End Point Assessment (EPA), you’ve said that you struggle with sitting for long periods of time so how did you tackle this?”

With EPA this is exactly what I did- at first I would sit for hours to try and complete 1 section and it really didn’t work for me! The child I was observing I would do it in 15 minute increments. I would observe the child and then write down exactly what happened straight away so I didn’t forget. I did this every day, the child attended 4 days so I was able to do it without feeling pressure, I had a nice balance of doing work and taking that time away that I needed.

• Now that you have successfully completed your L3 EYE and are mentoring new apprentices . what would “now” self say to your “pre apprentice “ self , what advice would you give? 

Don’t panic change is good! I was going through a lot at that time and I was very nervous about starting something new and not being able to finish it. Don’t panic it’s a good change! Your life is about to change for the better and I would say to continue learning about your profession- take your time its very interesting. Your going to love it!

• “Now that you are qualified what are the best parts about your job?”

More responsibility- I feel privileged for them to put that much trust in me and responsibility on me, because of that I make sure that I get stuff done and then I feel accomplished.

This could be you! 

Start your career in childcare today, visit https://www.swiftcc.co.uk/contact-us.