Have you ever considered how military experience can translate into a career in early childhood education?

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has received a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to offer early years training to veterans and partners of serving military personnel. This initiative, Childcare Works, is in collaboration with Catterick Garrison in England and Hightown Barracks in Wales. With £71,800 in funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Supporting Partners programme, the project aims to train and employ individuals as nursery assistants. The programme includes a four-week training phase followed by a 12-week nursery placement. The first cohort will commence at Hightown Barracks in Wrexham this August, with another starting at Catterick Garrison in January 2025.

NDNA is seeking nurseries in Wrexham and Catterick to provide placement opportunities.

Is there a more fitting way to honour the skills and dedication of our military personnel than by harnessing their unique experiences to enrich early childhood education? The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) seems to think so. Recently awarded £71,800 by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, NDNA’s Childcare Works initiative is set to provide invaluable early years training to veterans and military spouses. This innovative programme is a collaboration between NDNA, Catterick Garrison in England, and Hightown Barracks in Wales, aiming to create a clear pathway into early education and care for those who have served or are connected to the military.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund’s Supporting Partners programme has identified the need to support military families in meaningful ways. By providing training and employment opportunities in the early years sector, the NDNA is addressing both the professional development of individuals and the critical staffing needs within nurseries. Participants will be employed by NDNA as trainee nursery assistants and paid during the 16-week programme, which begins with a comprehensive four-week training period focused on essential skills and knowledge required in early childhood settings. This is followed by a 12-week placement within a nursery, offering real-world experience and the chance to apply their newly acquired skills.

Hightown Barracks

The first batch of this commendable project is set to launch at Hightown Barracks in Wrexham this August, with five participants recruited in September. Another cohort will kick off at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in mid-January 2025. NDNA is currently on the lookout for nurseries in Wrexham and Catterick that are interested in offering 12-week placements to these participants. This initiative not only provides a solid career foundation for veterans and military spouses but also addresses the staffing shortages faced by many nurseries.

Why focus on veterans and military spouses for early years training? According to Purnima Tanuku, the chief executive of NDNA, the unique life experiences and skills that these individuals bring are invaluable. They have a depth of experience in teamwork, leadership, and resilience, which are crucial in a childcare setting. The Childcare Works programme doesn’t just look for formal childcare experience but assesses participants based on their aptitude, informal childcare experience, and a willingness to undergo training.

“Our Childcare Works programme develops practical skills and provides placement experience, offering a cost-effective way for an early years provider to develop new talent and the opportunity to create a more diverse workforce,” says Tanuku. “Having experienced, professional staff to deliver the high-quality early education and care that our youngest children need and deserve is more important than ever.”

This programme is a natural extension of NDNA’s ongoing efforts to support the early years workforce. Since its inception in Wales over five years ago, Childcare Works has supported and mentored around 200 trainee nursery assistants. Impressively, 116 of these trainees have gone on to secure employment and further qualifications. The success of the programme highlights the potential of this new initiative to make a significant impact.

Funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

The £71,800 funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will enable NDNA to expand the reach of Childcare Works, bringing much-needed support to military families while simultaneously addressing the staffing crisis in the early years sector. For the veterans and military spouses, this initiative provides not just a job, but a meaningful career that leverages their unique skills and experiences.

The military community has long been recognised for its strong sense of duty, resilience, and adaptability. These qualities are incredibly valuable in early years education, where practitioners need to manage a diverse range of situations with patience and professionalism. By recruiting from this talented pool, NDNA is not only enhancing the quality of childcare but also providing veterans and military spouses with stable and rewarding employment opportunities.

NDNA’s appeal to nurseries in the Wrexham and Catterick areas to participate in this initiative is a call to action for these communities to support their local veterans and military families. The partnership with local nurseries is crucial for the success of the programme, providing the necessary practical experience that these trainees need to thrive in their new careers.

The integration of veterans and military spouses into the early years workforce also promotes a diverse and inclusive environment. This diversity brings different perspectives and approaches to childcare, enriching the learning experience for children and fostering an environment where all staff can learn from each other’s experiences.

As the first cohort begins their journey in Wrexham this August, the NDNA and its partners are setting a precedent for how we can effectively support our military families. By providing comprehensive training and real-world experience, Childcare Works is opening doors to new career opportunities for veterans and military spouses, while simultaneously enhancing the quality of early childhood education.

NDNA’s Childcare Works programme

In conclusion, NDNA’s Childcare Works programme is a pioneering initiative that aligns the needs of the early years sector with the unique skills of veterans and military spouses. The £71,800 funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is a significant investment in both the future of early childhood education and the professional development of military families. This programme not only addresses the staffing shortages in nurseries but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for those who have served or are connected to the military. With the first cohort starting in Wrexham this August and another in Catterick next January, the impact of this initiative is set to be profound, benefiting both the early years sector and the military community.

“Our Childcare Works programme develops practical skills and provides placement experience, offering a cost-effective way for an early years provider to develop new talent and the opportunity to create a more diverse workforce.”

– Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive, NDNA

Are you a nursery in Wrexham or Catterick? Join us in supporting our veterans and military families by providing a 12-week placement for our Childcare Works participants. Let’s build a stronger, more diverse early years workforce together!