EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION DEGREE Childminding Network Co-ordinator Seminar Wednesday 24 January 2007

A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE GAIL NICHOLSON CHILDMINDING NETWORK CO-ORDINATOR (STAFFORD & DISTRICT)

A PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL JOURNEY

WHY? Professional Development – Follows NVQ3 qualification – Develop Early Years Management skills – Achieve Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) by 2010 Personal Development – Fulfil personal ambition – Raise self esteem – Develop theoretical thinking – Widen career opportunities

HOW? Professionally – Partial funding 50% from Local Authority – Day release from workplace – Free use of laptop and printer Personally – Family support – Commitment – Self discipline – Organisation

WHERE? Professionally – University of Worcester (UCW) via an approved college – Assessment visits from Practice Mentor – Termly tutorials with tutor – Practical activities carried out at my workplace Personally – Taking over the dining room table! – Endless visits to the library – Hours spent researching on the internet – Lots of night time reading

BENEFITS Professionally – Gain increased knowledge and understanding – Learning to look from a different perspective – Increased confidence – Enhance career opportunities Personally – Acquired new skills – Developing expertise in new areas

Professional Carrying out your work role Carrying out practicals Raising your game to meet deadlines Remain focussed Personal Balancing home life, work and study Working through the night! Accepting criticism Remaining enthusiastic CHALLENGES

SUCCESS!

WHAT NEXT? Professionally – BA Hons top up – To achieve Early Years Foundation Status (EYFS) by 2010 Continue to climb the proverbial staircase of training Personally – Set new personal goals – Wish to remain a lead professional in early years – Show a commitment to training