Ms Flynn has been running a daycare setting in Surbiton, Surrey, for the past 22 years. Already holding an NNEB in nursery nursing and a Diploma in Post Qualifying Studies, she was spurred on by the Ten-Year Childcare Strategy to study for a foundation degree at Kingston University (2006). Last year she went on to achieve a first-class Honours degree in Education and Childcare and was nominated for Cosmopolitan magazine's Woman of the Year Award by the parents at her nursery.
Ms Flynn says, 'Initially I signed up for the Validation Pathway, but with the newly extended maternity leave I found it difficult to locate placements where I could gain experience with babies. I decided to defer to the Short Pathway, giving me the time to develop skills in working with babies and to develop and support my colleagues in their roles.
'Now having reached my Gateway review, I realise how rapidly the time has passed and how valuable the extra time and experience has been.
'Between the work experience, research, information gathering tasks and university attendance, there is a lot to do. It has taken determination to fit this around my busy schedule, but we are already seeing the benefits in our setting.
'Much of what I have learned I have shared with my staff team and this has informed our policies, practice and future plans. My experience has paved the way for other staff from our setting to improve their confidence and strive to develop their skills. Of our five full-time staff, one has started a Foundation Degree, one is studying for level 4 and another level 3.
'Additionally, I am planning to work with a training company who can offer support to a colleague who is dyslexic, with her continuing professional development.'
who can offer support to one of our staff who is dyslexic, with her Continued Professional Development. She currently holds a Level 2 qualification and is an outstanding practitioner. I would like her to achieve a qualification which better reflects her capabilities.
'Recently, through attendance at teaching sessions and EYP networks, I have become more aware of the opportunities the Status can provide and have observed good practice in a range of settings, while welcoming practitioners from local, national and even international settings into my own setting. This has broadened my horizons and raised expectations of my own setting's practice.
'Since starting on the EYPS Short Pathway I have looked more critically at my practice and have the confidence - not only in myself but also in my staff team - to make changes.'
