Apprenticeships are building blocks to bright futures at Moffat nursery
A Moffat nursery and out of school club is top of the class after growing its own workforce with apprenticeships to overcome rural recruitment challenges, retain staff and create clear progression pathways.
Apprenticeships have been central to Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club since it opened six years ago.
The nursery has supported 14 apprentices, which has enabled the business to redeploy existing staff, reduce recruitment costs and ensure continuity of care. Apprenticeships have also helped the business with staff retention, with five former apprentices staying on after completion.
Wise Owls’ Office Administrator Kim Wregg explained: “Two apprentices now hold room lead posts and two have progressed into Senior Early Years Practitioner positions, including one who started out as a cleaner, and at 48 wanted a career change.
“We’ve filled critical posts and retained valuable team members through apprenticeships. We also plan to offer qualifications for our kitchen and maintenance staff if there is a request for them.”
Wise Owls recently introduced its first childcare Foundation Apprentice, who chose the apprenticeship as a school subject. They have now advanced to a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People), joining three colleagues on the same qualification.
A Modern Apprentice in Business Administration joined the team of 21, and Kim is its first Graduate Apprentice in Business Management from the University of Strathclyde, earning while they are learning up to a degree level qualification.
Kim said: “Apprenticeships aren’t just about training – they’re investing in people, our business and our community.
“Apprenticeships have had a huge impact, bringing fresh energy and innovation across the nursery.
“We’re in a rural area with limited career opportunities, especially for young people. We want to offer qualifications and experience on our doorstep and apprenticeships enable us to do that.”
Wise Owls’ commitment to diversity has supported apprentices from the LGBTQ+ community, including a transgender staff member, and welcomed apprentices from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Kim said: “Children need to see a workforce that represents the world around them, it enriches their learning experience.”
The nursery also works to tackle gender stereotypes in a female-dominated industry.
Kim said: “A male Foundation Apprentice came to us as a play assistant and is now doing his Modern Apprenticeship. His confidence has grown exponentially. The children adore him and he’s such a valued part of our team. The play assistant who took over from him is also male.”
Training, delivered mainly in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College, balances nursery needs with each apprentice’s workload. It includes paediatric first aid, child protection, safeguarding, speech and language development and sign‑along. Apprentices are encouraged to pursue specialist skills in areas such as neurodiversity, baby interactions and outdoor learning.
Kim added: “One apprentice who is now a room lead did specialist training for children with autism and another expressed interest in our forest school and is now a qualified practitioner.”
The forest school, which runs five days a week, is part of Wise Owls’ sustainability focus, which also includes recycling and reusing resources.
Apprenticeships are working for Scotland by creating careers and enabling people to reach their potential, supporting employers to develop and grow their workforce and getting real returns for the economy.
There are currently around 12,000 apprentice employers in Scotland, investing in over 40,000 Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices.
Kim added: “Apprenticeships give people of all ages and backgrounds vital access to training and recognised qualifications while strengthening the workforce with fresh skills and new ideas.”
Wise Owls Nursery and Out of School Club is a finalist in the SME Apprentice Employer of the Year category sponsored by Babcock International Group at this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
The awards take place on 26 February as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2 to 6 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards
