Best Practice Network - Apprenticeships Leadership in Early Years and Education: Part 2
Aug 19, 2025
Iona Taylor, a Level 5 Early Years Leadership apprentice and room lead at Snapdragon's, shares her inspiring journey from a Level 3 practitioner to leadership. She discusses how early ambition and role models shaped her path. Iona highlights the transformation her apprenticeship brought to her confidence and leadership skills while addressing challenges like delegation and people-pleasing. She concludes with practical tips for aspiring leaders: embrace passion, learn from others, and love the work you do.
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Early Apprenticeship To Leadership
- Iona started a Level 3 at 18, qualified in 18 months, and stayed in her setting continuing to learn on the job.
- She later became an advanced practitioner and then began Level 5 while already moving into leadership.
Mentor Sparked Leadership Ambition
- Iona credits her previous room head for inspiring her and guiding her through three years in the baby room.
- She shifted from disliking formal learning to pursuing leadership after finding passion in the role.
Levelled Learning Builds Leadership
- Level 3 built Iona's practitioner foundations while Level 5 developed her leadership thinking and reflective practice.
- Tutors and case studies pushed her to be questioned and to refine how she leads the room.