Mad Hatters Day Nursery in Shirley has built a strong and longstanding partnership with Solihull College & University Centre, creating valuable opportunities for learners, apprentices and staff while supporting the development of the early years workforce.
Mad Hatters Day Nursery has become a key partner of the College, providing work experience placements and apprenticeship opportunities that give students invaluable hands-on experience in a real childcare setting. Through this collaboration, aspiring early years professionals have been able to develop their skills, build confidence and apply their learning in a supportive workplace environment.
As part of its commitment to developing future talent, the nursery has employed three apprentices in recent years. Two are continuing to thrive on the Early Years Educator apprenticeship, while another has successfully completed their Level 3 qualification and progressed onto the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship, demonstrating the positive impact of the nursery’s partnership with the College.
Owner and Manager, Sarah Holmes’ own journey with the College has further strengthened this relationship. Several years ago, she enrolled on the College’s BA Early Years & Childhood Studies degree, enabling her to study close to home while balancing the demands of running the nursery. She particularly valued the smaller class sizes compared to traditional university lectures and felt well supported by both lecturers and fellow students. The campus-based learning environment at Blossomfield Campus encouraged collaboration and the sharing of best practice, allowing Sarah to bring fresh ideas and approaches back to the nursery.
Alongside her role as nursery owner, Sarah also joined the College as a part-time lecturer, teaching one to two days per week. Her experience as an employer and practitioner enables her to bring real-world industry knowledge into the classroom, helping students understand the realities of working within the early years sector while also strengthening the links between education and employment.
Mad Hatters Day Nursery remains committed to supporting the College’s students and apprentices, recognising the importance of investing in future talent. By opening its doors to learners and providing meaningful workplace experiences, the nursery plays an important role in helping students progress into successful careers in childcare. The partnership also ensures the nursery benefits from fresh perspectives and emerging best practice, creating a mutually beneficial relationship for both organisations.
Sarah comments: “The partnership between Mad Hatters and Solihull College is an integral part of our ethos. As a nursery, we understand the importance of being connected to and contributing to our wider community. This partnership not only enables us to offer enriching opportunities that enhance our children’s learning and development, but also empowers our team to continue developing their own knowledge, skills and professional practice.
Working with Solihull College has been incredibly valuable to me both personally and professionally. Teaching Early Years students alongside being in nursery enables me to keep my knowledge fresh and stay up to date with developments in the sector, which in turn strengthens both my nursery practice and my teaching. I hope that bringing my experience as a practitioner, nursery manager and educator into the classroom allows me to offer students a hands-on and relevant learning experience, while continuing to challenge and develop my own professional practice.”
Beyond supporting learners, Sarah is passionate about making a positive impact within the local community. Each week, she takes nursery children to a nearby residential care home, where they participate in activities with elderly residents. This intergenerational partnership promotes wellbeing, social connection and community engagement. The nursery has also taken part in a number of College-led initiatives, including Children in Need fundraising events and the FE Big Lunch, further strengthening its connection with the College and the wider community.
In recognition of her commitment to supporting students and developing future talent within the sector, Sarah was recently awarded Workplace Learning Champion at the College’s Adult Skills and Apprenticeship Awards. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, she continues to invest in her own professional development and is currently undertaking a Level 7 Leading Early Years qualification alongside a Master’s-level top-up programme, further enhancing her expertise and leadership within the sector.
