Rachael

My career started out working as an apprentice in a pre-school whilst I gained my Level 3 Childcare qualification, I then went on to study at university where I gained my Level 6 BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. Alongside my degree I did a variety of roles including, working as a private nanny, a support worker for SEND children and a nursery practitioner.

I then worked full time as a Nursery Practitioner before securing my Work Placement Officer role at Weston College in 2019. This role allowed me to connect with colleagues across the college and part of my role was finding and securing work placements for our Early Years learners. This role involves me developing strong relationships with a whole range of Early Years settings and allows for me to continue my professional development through frequent visits to these settings, and meetings with the staff.

Whilst doing this role I was offered the opportunity to complete my Level 3 Education and Training through the college, which has now allowed me to teach our post-16 students, sharing my knowledge and skills from Early Years practice.

Whilst working with the highly experienced team I was inspired to continue my studying and completed by TAQA qualification through the college. This taught me the different knowledge and skills I needed to assess our learners in their development of their practical skills needed to work within an Early Years setting.

Completing this qualification supported me in securing a role as an Early Years Assessor, and with the support and guidance of my colleagues I am now assessing our full time Level 1, Level 2 and T Level Early Years learners, whilst still completing the Placement Officer side of my role.

From getting my first position in the college working for the Work Placement Team to now working within faculty as an Assessor I feel I have been fully supported and encouraged to learn and achieve further qualifications to support my professional development.