Childcare Success Stories

Jaswinder's Success - Level 3 Childcare

Jaswinder, former student at Acklam Grange School, chose to study at Stockton Riverside College based on family recommendations. “I tried other colleges, but none of them were right for me as I didn’t quite fit in,” she states.

She says that the Level 3 Childcare Course was perfect as it meant she could avoid the A-level route and focus on obtaining practical experience. During her study, she went on a variety of placements and gained lots of experience and learned new skills.

She found the course very enjoyable and met some wonderful people who she really connected with. She says she would definitely recommend Stockton Riverside College to others as it increased her chances at employment and the supportive teachers always had time for her.

With future aspirations to become a teacher, she believes the course has taught her everything she needs to know about Childcare and is looking forward to coming back next year for a foundation degree in teaching.

Charlotte

Charlotte’s dream to work with children has finally came true.

After completing her level 2 and 3 in Childcare, the 20-year old managed to secure a position at the ‘Special Needs Unit for Children’ in James Cook Hospital. Her passion stemmed from shadowing her mother at work as a child, who works as a Health Visitor.

She says, “I always wanted to work with children. My mam is a Health Visitor and when I was around 10 years old, I used to help her out. I’d go into work with her and help her at the clinic where she weighed babies.”

She goes on to say, “I have always dreamt of a career that involves working with children with special needs and disabilities so that I can feel like I’ve made a difference.”

Charlotte says the Level 3 Childcare course offered her so much in-depth knowledge of childcare, giving her the chance to go on to various placements and work with children, where she was able to get some real-life work experience.

Alongside her position at the Special Needs Unit for Children in James Cook Hospital, Charlotte is currently also on a placement at a Nursery in Thornaby and provides early years support for children with special needs.

Hasna

We followed up with former Childcare student, Hasna, who completed her level 3 diploma in Childcare and Education at Stockton Riverside College in 2018.

After college, the ambitious student secured a place at Edge Hill University, where she studied Paediatric Nursing. Hasna is currently in her second year at university with the hope to qualify as a Paediatric Nurse. She is looking to pursue a Masters after her degree to progress further into Nursing.

Hasna said: “The whole of my college experience at Stockton Riverside College had prepared me for university. The Harvard referencing, academic writing, and having word limits on assignments taught me to write concisely. Also, being on placement twice a week not only helped with my personal statement, but it helped me gain insight into the childcare industry and develop core life-skills such as my communication skills.”

Creative lessons and going on placement twice a week meant Hasna could complete 50% theory and 50% practice and thereby build a portfolio. She says: “My portfolio was filled with knowledge and skills that helped me pass my interview and secure my place at the university to study Paediatric Nursing. It demonstrated my ability to relate theory to practice, which is an essential part of my degree.” She tells us that through the constant use of reflections, the tutors really encouraged and pushed her to do and be the best version of herself that she could be, both in assignments but also within her personal development. “Even now,” she says, “I will turn back to my college tutors for advice and they are always happy to guide me and that’s just amazing.”

Hasna states: “I would highly recommend the college because the course was very fun. I loved learning about children and development and enjoyed everything within the department. Many of my friends also studied access courses at Stockton Riverside College and this helped them get onto HE courses at Teesside University.”

Now, Hasna makes a real difference to the lives of other students. While studying full-time at university and regularly going out on placements for real-life work experience, she carries out paid work as a mentor through an Online Mentoring Scheme, where she offers advice and support to others to help them make informed decisions about their future. She also mentors those that have been offered a place at Edge Hill University and helps answers all of their questions. She carries out additional paid work for the university, where she uses her own student experiences to help write subject journals. In doing so, she aids in providing insight into how the university can improve and better support their students.

On top of this, Hasna volunteers at her university to mentor first-year Nursing students by answering questions they might have, and providing help and guidance with assignments and placements.

At Stockton Riverside College, we’re all so very proud of Hasna, and wish her all the best for the future.

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Childcare Success Stories

Jaswinder's Success - Level 3 Childcare

Charlotte

Hasna