Early Years

I tried sixth form and A levels and it didn't fit for me, so after trying an art and design course for a year, I made a career-driven choice to move towards becoming an early years practitioner.

The experience from the placements and volunteering I've done at local nurseries and schools, like volunteering during children's activities at St Peter's Church in Wootton, showed me what life is like in the early years industry.

We've also been learning about how to help people with additional needs, and putting that learning into practice.

After my course, I’ll be looking at apprenticeships or university to study childhood studies.

I have always wanted to be a primary school teacher and this course was the best route to go down.

The College environment helped me grow as a student, with the support and encouragement I received helping me to improve my confidence and independence within my work and practice.

It provided me with so much knowledge, experiences and qualifications that I am now studying for a degree in Primary Education at Oxford Brookes University, a decision I am really happy with!

Eleanor studied for her Early Years Level 3 CACHE at the College and successfully achieved her qualification in 2018.

Already in her first year at Abingdon & Witney College, she had decided she wanted to study at the prestigious Norland College in Bath and become a Norland Nanny:

“I conducted some further research and went along to one of Norland’s open days. At the same time, I watched a documentary about the College on ITV, where I learnt more about what it takes to be a Norland Nanny.

I also considered other universities but after I'd been to the Norland open day I had made my mind up to study there and I haven’t looked back!

I am studying for a three-year BA Hons in Early Years Development and Learning and I’m currently in my second year and I love it.

Once I've finished my studies, I look forward to being a Norland Nanny and ideally I'd like a role that involves travelling or living abroad, and potentially working for a family with a child with learning difficulties or disabilities.”

The thing I enjoy most about my course is the knowledge that I gain can be applied back in the workplace. For example, when we did the language module and studied the pre-linguistic stages of children I learnt that whilst communicating with babies, we didn’t need to over-simplify everything as they understand so much more than we think. We also added more words to the walls so they could start to recognise letters as well as pictures.

Both of my tutors, Jane and Anna, are really knowledgeable and enthusiastic as well as being very approachable. They also both have strong backgrounds in early years so have lots of experience to share with us.

The reason I chose to do my degree at the College is because I wanted to stay at home whilst I studied. I came to an open day and it was very welcoming, with the tutor I met being full of enthusiasm when she described the course.

The company I work, the old station nursery, is expanding so there will hopefully be some excellent opportunities for me in the future.