Glaisdale Nursery Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026

College CEO Meets Apprentices: A Day in the Life Showcasing Apprenticeship Strengths and Child-Centred Care

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Julie Kapsalis, CEO and Principal at Nescot, visited Glaisdale Nursery in Sutton to shadow their Early Years Apprentices, who work at the nursery and study at Nescot. The nursery cares for children from three months to five years old. With over 100 children on site at any one time, and a team of 50 highly trained staff, the nursery runs smoothly thanks to a range of essential roles, including child care, maintenance, and catering.

The visit also gave Julie the opportunity to revisit her old primary school, which is situated on the same site as the nursery. The tour began in Julie’s former classroom, and included visits to the Sensory Room—designed to engage all children, particularly those with neurodiversity—and the Toddlers’ garden, a vibrant outdoor space.

Sam, an Advanced Apprentice, and Ella, the Practice Manager, attributed the nursery’s notably low staff turnover to the strength of their apprenticeship provision. This was echoed by the Glaisdale apprentices, who shared their experiences:

• Sara expressed her passion for supporting children. When asked what she would teach Julie if she were her apprentice for the day, she replied, “I would teach Julie the routines first! From morning to evening routines, changing activities to keep them engaged, and setting up in advance is key.”
• Charlotte explained that she has always wanted to be a teacher and sees her apprenticeship as a springboard for her career.
• Gudula, who began her apprenticeship later in life, described how the workplace-based study model at Glaisdale made her decision easier, offering support and flexibility.
• Sam praised his assessor, Denise, highlighting that her support is invaluable, whether for nursery issues or advice.

Ella emphasised that Glaisdale offers much more than play: the nursery prepares children for school and strives for inclusivity through the use of assistive technologies.