A nursery firm founded in Brighton has been rated one of the best employers of apprentices in the country.
Hopscotch Children’s Nurseries, which started in Ditchling Road, Brighton, in 1988, was ranked 14th in the UK – up from 49th place last year – in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers report.
And among childcare providers up and down Britain, Hopscotch, which now runs seven nurseries, was ranked third. Most of the seven nurseries are rated outstanding by the official watchdog Ofsted.
The Sunday Times said that its rankings celebrated employers that created high-quality apprenticeship opportunities and invested in the development of their staff.
The Top 100 aimed at recognising organisations across all sectors that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to apprenticeships and workforce development.
The company said that apprenticeships played an important role across Hopscotch, helping people begin careers in early years education while supporting existing team members to continue developing their skills, qualifications and confidence.
The Sunday Times Apprenticeship report on Hopscotch Nurseries said: “More than a quarter of the 200 staff at this Sussex firm are on apprenticeships, providing an established pathway from entry-level early years programmes to lead practitioner, teacher and nursery manager.
“Founded in 1988, Hopscotch Children’s Nurseries is an independent family-run company with seven nurseries across Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Peacehaven and Seaford.”
Hopscotch Nurseries chief executive Philip Ford, whose mother Barbara Ford founded the business, said: “I’m incredibly proud of this achievement and everyone who has contributed to it.
“To move from 49th to 14th place in just one year is a fantastic result and reflects the commitment of our teams right across Hopscotch.
“We’ve always believed in investing in people and giving them opportunities to learn, develop and build rewarding careers in early years.
“Apprenticeships are a huge part of that and it’s been wonderful to see so many talented individuals grow in confidence and progress within the organisation.”
The company’s people and development lead, Lauren Small, said: “It’s fantastic to see our apprenticeship programme receive this recognition from the Sunday Times.
“We know how important apprenticeships are in helping people start their careers in early years and gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.
“To see Hopscotch recognised in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and to have climbed so significantly in the rankings is a real achievement for everyone involved.”.
The company said that it remained committed to putting children above profit while investing in the development of its people.
