Ashleigh, 18, joined YMCA Training Leeds in July 2009 on
the now FL Programme hoping to gain a job in either childcare or as
primary school teacher.
When Ashleigh first came to us, she was very unsettled. Her
mother had recently died, and one of the consequences of this was
that she left the family home unable to stay with her father and
sister. She had become very unstable and it was obvious that her
family could not cope with the traumas she was facing.
After completing the programme, Ashleigh moved forward with her
career dream and progressed to a childcare apprenticeship with a
placement at the Prospect House Nursery.
As time went by, Ashleigh's employer commented on how much she
had improved and grown in confidence. She was becoming an effective
and responsible childcare practitioner. She proved popular with
staff, children and parents and showed that she possessed some
natural skills when it came to relating to young children. Always
motivating her was the desire to work with children and the hope
that she could eventually become a Special Educational Needs
Coordinator (SENCO) in an early years setting.
Ashleigh completed her apprenticeship ahead of time and remains
at Prospect House - she is now a very highly valued member of the
team and has very good relationships with her employer, staff,
parents and, most importantly, the children.
Ashleigh has some clear goals for her future. She has now
progressed onto an Advanced Apprenticeship and has also reconciled
with her father.