Best Practice Network - Apprenticeships Leadership in Early Years and Education: Part 1
Aug 12, 2025
Sophie Hayter, Qualification Lead at Kido Schools, brings over 36 years of experience in early years and vocational training. She shares insights on how high-quality apprenticeships enhance staff confidence and educator performance. Debunking myths about early years roles, Sophie emphasizes the importance of diversity, including more male educators. She outlines various pathways into early years careers, including T-levels and apprenticeships, and provides key advice for aspiring leaders to maximize their potential.
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From NNEB To Qualification Lead
- Sophie started at 16 with the NNEB, worked as a nanny, room leader, deputy and manager, then moved into assessing and quality roles during maternity leave.
- She later joined nursery groups and now combines early years practice with apprenticeship leadership at Kido Schools.
Quality Training Determines Competence
- High-quality apprenticeships raise staff confidence and performance when trainers have recent occupational knowledge.
- Not all qualifications grant licence to practice, so relevance and trainer experience matter.
More Men Needed In Early Years
- Early years remains gender-skewed with about five percent male staff and stigma deterring men from joining.
- Increasing male representation needs outreach to schools and structural changes like pay to attract more men.