To think if you are doing a childcare apprenticeship..

[LycheeBubbleTea]

That you should be prepared to do nappies and not refuse to do soiled ones?

But they don't actually say anything? And you don't pursue the question?

How about saying: 'I know you don't want to change dirty nappies. It's not something any of us particularly looks forward to. But it has to be done. You're not going to be able to finish your apprenticeship and get your qualification unless you find a way of getting rid of whatever block you're struggling with. So you have a choice. Either we talk to x at (training provider). Or work with me to learn how to do it. After all, if you want to work in a nursery, changing nappies is a basic skill. Have a think about it over night and let me know tomorrow.'

Apprentices can be up to age 64

An Apprentice who won't do nappies is in the wrong job. Please remember they are paid £6.40/ hr as a minimum.

How strange! What do they think childcare involves, you can't just pick the bits you want!

Why does Op need to remember their wage? They're an apprentice, they're there to learn.

Why does OP care what they're paid?

You need to tell him it's part of the job and if he won't he needs to leave.

So what things are in place, are they wearing gloves / aprons etc? Practice on a doll first like parents-to-be do.

Sometimes a frank sit down and reminder of expectations is useful. Their attitude is pretty common as what is found in schools since covid and is only going to become worse in the upcoming years. Generally the students who wanted to do childcare were more often then not the less academic girls with generally a poor attitude to learning and I dare say this would carry over to the less enjoyable parts of the apprenticeship. They often had an idealised view of what the course would entail too

Beggars can't be choosers in childcare. It's not easy to find apprentices, especially ones who actually mostly turn up to work.

You need a chat with the apprentice and the director. Find out if this person actually wants the job. If it doesn’t change their attitude you just have them clean all day. Don’t let them do anything with the children. Don’t do any training and write on all the sign off sheets that they aren’t doing any of their tasks. They will leave eventually, or stop carrying on.

why are you saying the apprentice is a 'him'?

If a child soils themselves what's she going to do? Call her mum?
Absolutely not fit for purpose.

Posted to early.
Too young and inexperienced so far. I hope training is successful.

Why do they get the choice to not do it?

Tell them to get on with it or give up their apprenticeship.

Then they fail the apprentice, surely? Do they go to college too? You could contact the college and say what's happening and say the course or placement is in jeopardy because of this.

I'd say tough, it's part of the job so do it.

Yanbu

This should be nipped in the bud and it’s part of the job
if they don’t want to do it then they don’t want the job

it’s like having a bus driver who doesn’t want to to drive

The longer you let him/her get away with not doing them, the harder it will be. Make it one of her/his targets for the week.

I work with a large number of apprentices and had this conversation yesterday.
'What you want is irrelevant, this is part of your job and we all do things at work we don't want to do. You need to ask if you have questions but you have to do it.'

Indulging them doesn't do them any favours.

Presumably to counter the stereotype of childcare being a women only job

This is poor leadership in the training. You dont just get to say no. What happens when they refuse? That is the issue.

When I worked as a TA in nursery/reception, we had a few of those. "I have too strong a gag reflex. I won't be able to do soiled children." This after an interview for an SEN TA for an incontinent child. 🙄But to be fair, they didn't last long anyway.

Ridiculous. I was babysitting and changing nappies from 12 yo. She must plan on being in the after- school room her whole life 🤣 Or maybe she is being pushed into this by her parents. How is she with kids otherwise? Does she actually seem interested in the role? Maybe this will make her reconsider her career options.