<p>Last week, Weston College had the privilege of hosting alumni Naomi, the proud owner of the Music and Movement business, Boogie Beat. Naomi paid a visit to Level 2 Early Years learners, and her engaging talk and interactive session was an incredible experience for the class, emphasizing the importance of hard work, determination, and the wide variety of opportunities that follow an Early Years course at college.&nbsp;<img alt="naomi from Boogie Beat gives talk to early years learners" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="522cf293-a312-4297-90f4-368d5c14d34f" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/boogie%20beats.jpg" /></p>

<p>Naomi's journey from a Level 2 Early Years student at Weston College to becoming a successful business owner is nothing short of inspiring. As she addressed the eager learners, she shared her remarkable transformation. Naomi emphasized how her time at Weston College had provided her with the foundational knowledge and skills she needed to embark on her career path. Her experience demonstrated that with determination and dedication, it's possible to turn your college education into a thriving business.</p>

<p>Naomi's talk was not just a nostalgic reflection of her time at Weston College; it was also filled with invaluable insights for the Level 2 Early Years students. She underscored the significance of working hard during their college years, a message that resonated with the young minds eager to set their own path in the field of Early Years education. By sharing her personal journey, Naomi provided students with a tangible example of how a college education can be a stepping stone to entrepreneurial success.</p>

<p>One of the highlights of Naomi's visit was her ability to open students' eyes to the vast array of opportunities available in the Early Years sector. Her success story served as a testament to the versatility of a career in Early Years education. It was a reminder that this field extends far beyond traditional teaching and can be a launchpad for diverse and fulfilling career paths.</p>

<p>The engagement didn't stop at an inspirational talk. Naomi had the students up and active with a lively practical session. Learners had a blast as they participated in singing and dancing, wielding rainbow streamers, and even sharing the floor with Giggles the Boogie Beat Monkey. This hands-on experience not only added an element of fun to the afternoon but also reinforced the idea that learning can be both enjoyable and instructive.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This guest speaker forms part of the Education Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.</p>

<p>As the session concluded, the Early Years learners were buzzing with excitement and inspiration. Their feedback echoed the sentiment that the afternoon was not only informative but also incredibly enjoyable. Naomi's visit left an indelible mark on these students, reminding them that with hard work, dedication, and a passion for what they do, they can carve out successful and fulfilling careers in Early Years education.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… out more about our Early Years &amp; Education courses, here.</a></p>

<p>Our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Level Year 1 Education and Early Years</a> learners hosted their first Stay and Play of the year in our purpose-built Community Room on Thursday afternoon. Learners set up a range of activities including painting, playdough and a story corner, which they then welcomed a group of children from <a href="https://thenursery.uk.com/">The Nursery</a> to come and play! The Nursery is in Portishead, and has a great relationship with the Early Years learners, particularly as they are a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a> Employer. This means they provide industry placement opportunities for our learners, and provide industry standard knowledge that can influence the content taught on the course.</p><p>It was a lovely afternoon had by both children and learners, and they received some amazing feedback following the session!</p><p>The Nursery commented, “We have made a really valuable link with Weston College to support our future early years practitioners. The preschool children explored the wonderful activities the students had set up, and interacted so confidently in the new space. We are all looking forward to returning and trying out some fun new activities.”</p><p>The Assessor and Placement Officer for Early Years, Rachael Moger, commented, “The Stay and Play was a fantastic opportunity for both the learners and the children. We’re very lucky to have The Nursery as a CEH Employer – ensuring work experience opportunities to our learners is so important to us here at Weston College, so having that close working relationship with The Nursery is so beneficial. We all can’t wait until the next Stay and Play, which is Christmas themed!”</p><p>Click here if you’d like to find out more about <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Years</a> and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</a>.</p>