Apprenticeship Progression of the Year, 2021

YMCA Apprentice, 20-year-old Charis Radwell from Hailsham in East Sussex, has been recognised for her outstanding progression whilst working at Bunny Run, a family run independent childcare centre. Charis shares her story…   

Charis was unemployed, after a brief spell at another nursery, when she applied to Bunny Run Childcare Centre for her Level 2 Children & Young Peoples Workforce (Early Years) Apprenticeship. Charis wanted to work in a more stable setting and develop her skills. She felt that Bunny Run, a family run business, would be a good place to start due to their outstanding Ofsted report. 

Charis secured her own position at the nursery and dedicated herself to achieving the Level 2 qualification to the best of her ability; completing work of a very high standard and challenging herself to do extra work. From the start, Charis had her sights set on a future career – and progression onto the Level 3 qualification right from the start of her first apprenticeship – and has now successfully achieved that goal. 

Charis has proved that she is a very keen learner and constantly seeks knowledge and skills to develop her working practice further. She has achieved her Level 2 qualification in childcare and has recently begun her Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. 

Charis feels that she has learnt vast amounts about childcare and is ambitious for her own future.  Charis would like to achieve her Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner qualification and then take over as a room lead or possibly progress further into a management role, which her employer also believes is very possible. 

Charis is highly valued by her employer, with Bunny Run’s Deputy Manager saying, “Charis will go far” and continuing:

“She is a dedicated member of the team, who demonstrates own initiative and always puts the children first.”

Achievements

She has achieved her Level 2 qualification in childcare and has recently began her Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. Charis feels that she has learnt vast amounts about childcare and has become more confident in what she does and how to do it, which her tutor and employer are in full agreement with. 

Looking forward

Charis would like to achieve her Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner qualification and then take over as a room lead or possibly progress further into a management role which employer also believes is very possible. Charis felt great on hearing that she had been nominated for this award:

“When I was told I was nominated I was shaking, it brought tears to my eyes… yeah it feels good because I worked so hard to get it done and I really enjoy it – and to win something that you enjoy is amazing.”