At the awards ceremony on 10 July, the Ark Day Nursery in Halifax washighly commended in the Small Employer of the Year (10-49 employees)category.
The awards are given by the Learning and Skills Council to showcaseemployers who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment toapprenticeships.
Kingscliffe began running apprenticeships in 2001, soon after thenursery opened with only 20 childcare places. Manager and proprietorAlexis McConnachie of Kingscliffe said she has tried to recruitmotivated staff by offering apprentices excellent training anddevelopment opportunities.
'Working with apprenticeships has assisted us in securing high-qualityindividuals with a passion for childcare,' she said. 'Recruitingapprentices straight from our local schools has secured their futureemployment, training and development, and our future business growth andsuccess.'
The nine staff members at Kingscliffe include nursery manager ForidaChoudhury, who worked her way up to the role from an apprenticeship, andnursery assistant Emma Key, an apprentice who has just completed her NVQLevel 2 in Early Learning and Childcare.