The owners of Shape Nurture Solutions nursery in West Yorkshire are launching a two-year leadership and management training programme.

Zoe and Marcus Davy have developed the Gatesgarth Education and Training (GET) programme aimed at students who want to progress in early years teaching, nannying, childcare, leadership and management but without the financial barriers associated with going to university.

The Level 3 course is “full and relevant” and students following completion can be counted in ratios. NCFE accreditation and a GET diploma will be awarded on completion. The entry requirement is GCSE English.

The course include designing menus, developing activity planning, learning first aid and best approaches to communication with parents and guardians. Placements at local nurseries and schools will be arranged for the students. Trainees will be encouraged to incorporate their own interests such as art, baking, dance and singing into the course.

Students will be able to “earn as they learn” through an accompanying Wraparound App, which will allow families to access a network of GET-approved practitioners for services such as day, evening, afterschool, holiday and respite care, babysitting, night nannies and maternity nurses.  

Zoe Davy said: “This is definitely a labour of love for us, harnessing our own experience of managing our own nursery in Huddersfield. It’s our vision that Gatesgarth will nurture and develop an enriched community of enthusiastic and confident carers.”