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Find out all you need to know about becoming a Wales Childcare Works project placement setting for NDNA Cymru’s Childcare Works project and the benefits to you of having a participant.

If you become a work placement setting for the NDNA Cymru Wales Childcare Works project, you will be supporting the early years and childcare workforce in Wales by enabling individuals to gain experience in the sector to go into future employment. 

Many of the nurseries that have previously provided work placements for the project’s Trainee Nursery Assistants have employed their participant on a permanent contract.

Read our Childcare Works press release.

How the Wales Childcare Works project works

Once funding for the project is secured, NDNA Cymru sources participants from specified local authorities across Wales.

Settings supporting the project provide a 12 week work placement for a trainee nursery assistant to work 16 hours a week.

Participants receive support spanning 16 weeks including:

• A 12 week, paid (by NDNA Cymru) placement at a setting 
• On-going support and guidance throughout their placement from NDNA Cymru
• Four weeks of paid training from NDNA Cymru.

This project gives settings a chance to make their workforce more diverse – participants are from different backgrounds with differing levels of experience.

It will support with recruitment, giving settings the opportunity to see a Trainee Nursery Assistant’s work in practice with their children and staff over a three month period. 

Where does Childcare Works take place?

The project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver in Conwy and Pembrokeshire.

When will it take place?

NDNA will be delivering two cohorts in Conwy, the first commences on 22 January 2024 and the second on 3 June 2024.

We will also be delivering two cohorts in Pembrokeshire, the first in Haverfordwest commencing 24 April 2024 and the second in Milford Haven commencing 23 July 2024.

Training

Whilst on placement your Trainee Nursery Assistant receives NDNA training alongside their placement in a childcare setting.

The training courses span four-weeks and cover all mandatory training such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid, as well as a number of early years and childcare specific sessions. Participants will be DBS checked by NDNA Cymru prior to being on placement. 

If participants are new to the childcare, early years and play sector, they will gain the skills and knowledge to be able to begin their placement opportunity at a setting. 

Are there any criteria to be a placement setting? 

Settings must be able to provide work for 16 hours a week for 12 weeks.