From Apprentice to Graduate: Developing Early Years Practice Through Research

Ashaya Slocombe has charted an impressive pathway from apprentice to graduate within the early years sector, completing her Early Childhood and Education Studies BA (Hons) whilst working at Snapdragons Nursery. Her story illustrates the value of work-based learning routes in developing skilled practitioners who can bridge the gap between academic theory and hands-on nursery practice. Her dissertation research focused on gender differences in early writing, an area of keen interest within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Rather than keeping this work theoretical, Ashaya translated her findings directly into practice at Snapdragons, demonstrating how practitioner enquiry can drive tangible improvements in provision and outcomes for young children. This case study highlights both the opportunities available through degree-level apprenticeship pathways and the importance of nurturing research-informed practice within early years settings. As the sector works to raise qualifications and retention rates, stories like Ashaya's offer a compelling model for developing the graduate-led workforce envisioned in current early years policy.