Pre-school team awarded for helping apprentice

Margaret Burnet, setting manager at Windmill Pre-School, Flitwick, and her team were presented with an Outstanding Contribution Award, by Sue Harrison, Central Bedfordshire Council’s director of children’s services, at a special ceremony at the pre-school in Malham Close, on Thursday, March 2.

Margaret and her team supported an apprentice who was halfway through his apprenticeship when his placement broke down, and they guided him through challenging times so he was able to complete his Intermediate Early Years Apprenticeship and achieve his Level 2 Early Years qualification.

Mrs Harrison said: “It was lovely to meet such a great team. The support which Margaret and her team gave to this young man meant that he was able to complete his apprenticeship when he could so easily have walked away from it.

“Their commitment has allowed him to fulfil his ambition of working with young children as he has secured employment at another nursery in the area.

“This is a very positive story – and very timely too ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, which starts on Monday.”

Margaret said: “We are thrilled to have the hard work we invest in our apprentices acknowledged. It is a privilege to help our apprentices take the first steps in their childcare career.”