02/10/2026
β€οΈ COULD CHILDCARE BE THE START OF A CAREER YOU NEVER EXPECTED?
I wanted to share something a little more personal today, because sometimes when you're looking for a job, you don't necessarily realise where that first job could actually take you.
26 years ago, I started at Clarendon Cottage as an apprentice.
I was young, I was at the very beginning of my career and, if I'm completely honest, I don't think I ever imagined that I would still be here 26 years later, or that I would have achieved everything I have.
I started right at the bottom and worked my way up.
I completed my Level 2, then went on to achieve my Level 3, and later my HPD Level 4, all within childcare.
Alongside my qualifications, I was gaining something just as important - real, hands-on experience.
I was in the rooms, working with children, learning from other practitioners, building relationships with families, dealing with the challenges that come with working in childcare and, most importantly, learning what it really means to be a good practitioner.
Over the years, I progressed from:
Apprentice β Assistant Group Leader β Group Leader β Deputy Manager β Nursery Manager β Company Director β Company Shareholder.
And the amazing thing is, 26 years later, I am still here today.
I am still the Nursery Manager, Company Director and Company Shareholder of Clarendon Cottage. β€οΈ
I think sometimes people look at childcare and just see it as a job.
For me, it has been so much more than that.
It has been a career.
I've watched children grow up, I've built relationships with so many families, I've worked alongside some amazing people and I've learnt something new pretty much every step of the way.
And the thing I really want people to know is that you don't need to have everything figured out when you start.
You can start as an apprentice. You can earn while you learn, gain your qualifications and get hands-on experience at the same time. You're not just sitting in a classroom learning about childcare, you're actually in a nursery, learning from experienced practitioners and putting that knowledge into practice every day.
Then, if you want to progress, there are opportunities to do that.
Maybe you want to become a room leader.
Maybe management is something you'd eventually like to work towards.
Or maybe you simply want to become the very best practitioner you can be.
There isn't one set path.
And I know this because I've lived it.
When I started 26 years ago as an apprentice I never set out with the plan of becoming a Company Director or Shareholder. I just started with that first opportunity and worked hard from there.
Today, Clarendon Cottage is a huge part of my life, and I'm incredibly proud of the journey I've had here.
We are now looking for Level 2 & 3 qualified practitioners and childcare apprentices to join our team.
We're a really friendly, family feel nursery and one of the things I'm most proud of is how many of our staff have been with us for a long time. We have people who have grown with the nursery, developed their careers and become such an important part of our Cottage family.
So if you're thinking about starting a career in childcare, or you're already Level 3 qualified and looking for somewhere you can continue to grow, I'd really love to hear from you.
Sometimes you just need someone to give you that first opportunity. β€οΈ
Your first job in childcare could be the beginning of a career you never expected.
π© If you'd like to find out more about joining our team, please get in touch.
[email protected]
0161 789 3071
We are a bright, vibrant and exciting setting with highly qualified, professional and dedicated staff.
