I love my job at Oldham day nursery- I think more men should work in early education

The Oldham student began working at Buttercup Corner Day Nursery in Chadderton as holiday cover. However, he soon found himself falling in love with the job.

16-year-old Harley started helping out at the nursery over two years ago, yet his involvement with it goes much further back. Harley used to attend the after-school club at the nursery, and his former key worker Danielle Atkins is now his room leader.

Harley, who started studying his GCSE’s in the summer, has found helping children where he is from rewarding. He also believes that more males should get involved with early years education.

He explained: “It’s a very rewarding career and not many men do it. It’s important because there are a lot of boys who don’t have that role model. I started here as a holiday cover, but then I found the love for this job and thought I want to do it as an apprentice

In his role as Early Years Apprentice at the nursery, Harley was hugely positive. He said: “I get so much out of it, I feel inspired. Watching them grow is just a massive thing for me personally.”

Harley was talking during a visit from Oldham Council to Buttercup Corner Day Nursery. This was to mark the launch of the Greater Manchester Early Education and Childcare Workforce Campaign in Oldham. The 12-month campaign by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, made up of the 10 councils across the region, aims to improve recruitment, raise awareness of the role in early education and childcare in supporting early child development

Council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: “It was so inspiring to meet members of our early years workforce in Oldham and the happy and thriving children who they are setting up for life.

“Early years education is an amazing choice of career, making children who they are and building the important foundations for their lifelong learning journey.”