Mama Bear's hailed as top apprentice trainers

Investing time and effort in developing a quality apprenticeship training scheme has paid off for childcare organisation, Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, who last night scooped the top award in the category of ‘Apprentice Development ’ in the Bristol Post Apprentice Awards.

Judges were particularly impressed by the way Mama Bear’s entry demonstrated their commitment to the training and personal development of their apprentices, and by the comprehensive ongoing training they provide.

Mama Bear’s currently employs 41 apprentices across their 23 nurseries, and an impressive 63% of the apprentices who qualified as early years practitioners with them in 2017 chose to continue their career with the organisation.

Mama Bear’s owner Tony Driffield said: “This award is a fantastic endorsement for the quality of our apprenticeships and we are all over the moon.

“Mama Bear’s is totally committed to providing quality apprenticeships as an important stepping stone for people who want to work in childcare, and our track record proves this.

“We view each of our apprentices as a potential future nursery manager, and do our best to prepare them fully for each part of their career progression.

“The fact that so many of our apprentices stay with us after they qualify as early years practitioners shows what a great job we’re doing with our training, especially since recruitment is very challenging in our sector.

“We seriously hope this news will encourage this year’s school-leavers and others who are eligible and interested in working in the early years sector to consider a Mama Bear’s apprenticeship.”

The judging panel appreciated the way Mama Bear’s apprentices are completely included within the team and contribute to all aspects of nursery life, as well as by the individual training programmes all apprentices receive, and the opportunities they are given to explore any areas of specialist childcare which interest them.

Mama Bear’s bespoke apprenticeship training scheme includes ongoing learning support, with daily hands-on experience in addition to a mixed programme of mandatory and voluntary training sessions, held twice-weekly.

The apprentices also contribute to the monthly theme planning and day-to-day activity planning of the nursery where they are based, and are involved in regular staff meetings.

Hollie Reddish, manager of Mama Bear’s Downend Road, is one of three current nursery managers who started out as apprentices with Mama Bear’s over 10 years ago and have remained with them throughout their careers.

Hollie said: “Everybody at Mama Bear’s supports the apprentices to achieve their goals every step of the way, and deciding to become an apprentice with them was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

“I’ve worked at three different settings within the business on the suggestion of my managers as they knew it would help my development, and the range of roles I’ve experienced have taught me so much, and given me new and exciting challenges and responsibilities.

“I’m now where I want to be, as a nursery manager, running my own setting, putting my own stamp onto what we do and providing the highest possible standards of care to our children. It’s so rewarding.”
Mama Bear’s Day Nursery is run by husband and wife team Bev and Tony Driffield, and has gained a reputation in the South West for offering the highest quality, affordable care.

Established in 2002 the group now includes 23 nursery settings in Bristol, Somerset and Devon which are consistently rated by OFSTED as Good or Outstanding.

Anyone aged over 16, not in full-time education or other funded training, and interested in learning more about Mama Bear’s apprenticeship scheme can email recruitment@mamabear.co.uk or visit the website at www.mamabear.co.uk