Throughout the first year of the course I have gained 5 merits and 2 pass grades. I enjoy learning and extending my knowledge of children and child development. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work placements, as in the placements I have been able to extend both my practical and theoretical knowledge.
I feel that my strengths include being a good listener; I have good communication skills which I feel are essential for an Early Years worker. I am a hard working and enthusiastic person who thoroughly enjoys a challenge and the responsibility being placed in them, I am a creative person who enjoys designing and making resources which can be used in planned activities my placements. I enjoy working in a team, as this gives me a sense of satisfaction.
Throughout the duration of the two year course I would have studied units that cover all areas of childcare. So far throughout my first year on this course, I have found all of the units studied interesting and valuable to my professional practice and my knowledge as an early years worker. However there have been other units that have interested me further these include: Professional Practice, Childcare Practice, Human Growth and Development, Play and Learning, Literacy and Numeracy, Sociology, and Safe Environments. In my second year of the course I am looking forward to studying the Special needs unit as in am interested in this area.
Throughout the course I have been able to work with a variety of age ranges of children, these include 0-1yrs, 1-2 yrs, 2-4 yrs, and 4-8 yrs, working with these different age ranges, has allowed me to work in many different and exciting settings. At the end of this course I would have completed more than 800 hours of work placements. These placements also include at special needs schools, hospital placements on both adult and paediatric wards. I have thoroughly enjoyed the work particularly at the different placements (Primary Schools here I worked with children in a reception class (4 - 5 years), Nursery class (3 - 4 years), Private Nursery (1 2 years), Family placement this was where I was able to work within a family setting with a child aged 0 1 years, and Hospital wards I worked both on a Paediatric ward and an Adult ward.) right the way through my first year of the course and I have been encouraged by the numerous complimentary remarks made by tutor.
While studying on the BTEC course I have made many achievements. These include becoming a class representative for a semester; this allowed me to take responsibility in liasing between both the class members and the staff. Other achievements that I have made include gaining my Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and my Paediatric First Aid.
Throughout the duration of the first year of the course I have been able to familiarise myself with the Foundation Stage Curriculum. From learning about the Foundation Stage Curriculum I have been able to plan structured activities which I have been able to carry out in my work placements.
Throughout the course there have been many occasions where I have been asked to design and make my own resources for activities. These resources include a feely bag, puppets, and a storyboard. I thoroughly enjoyed completing these tasks and then using them as activities with the children. While in my first year of the course I have been involved in community projects which included going into a nursery and designing a display on what children learn from outside play. I really enjoyed participating in this community project as this allowed me to achieve a sense of contentment.
In my leisure time, when I am not studying I enjoy reading, travel, I.T., music, swimming, and socialising.
My immediate future plans are to complete my BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and then hopefully gain the necessary merits to allow entry into university for a degree in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, which will allow me to gain employment at the highest level in my chosen field and give me a
