Level 3 Early Years Apprentice Review
at Portland Nurseries
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Teaching
Huddersfield
Review Submitted: May 2026
Overall Rating
4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
On a day to day basis it began by shadowing leading workers such as the manager, deputy manager and room leaders however this soon turned into me being in number before having my first aid and even starting my course. I felt confident in myself in being in number but not being left alone, which I was occasionally. Furthermore the role involved assisting children with personal care and helping their developmental growth. The developmental growth part proved to be difficult as the nursery was consistently understaffed and therefore I did not have my mentor to shadow and could not gain any information to support as I had not started my course.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
When it is good and children’s ratios are maintained and the nursery is staffed well, the programme and job felt very fulfilling and very worth it. During these times, which are/ were rare, I was given study time, 1:1 time with my mentor and on the job training. The training provider (HIT) that the nursery went through were extremely professional and their education standard was high. The tutor assigned by the teaching provider was very professional and had a great attitude and was in touch with her informal side which allowed me to form a great relationship with her. This further led me to enjoy the programme. However, when the nursery company could not staff my tutor session it was extremely jarring and frustrating. It led me to feel quite anxious, even for future tutor meetings which is why I will not give it 5 stars.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have definitely developed my existing skills of childcare and developed new skills. The training days that occurred throughout the course of my employment and training were very informative and clearly lead by knowledgable individuals. It also provided an external perspective which added more depth to my understanding of childcare acts and safeguarding standards as the external training day providers clearly had lots of experience.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Everything is in place officially however application of the official procedures could organised better. For example sorting cover for staff members for their tutor meeting and knowledge bites in advance .
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are training days and staff awards evenings
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Portland Nurseries to a friend?
No
Why?
I would recommend Portland nurseries to someone looking to work in childcare but not if they are my friends or family. I would advise them to set boundaries clearly before hand and ask the nursery what they expect of them to ensure that opinions and expectations align.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Portland Nurseries?
Ask questions before starting your job role specifically if you are thinking of having a child or already have a child/children. The work schedule will definitely be altered to help you as much as possible however they tend to cater to parents by overworking other staff members and pick/ choose favourites which has lead to high staff turnover
