Many of those enrolling have been in work for some years and can find the demands of academic life quite onerous after such a gap. For everyone, studying a degree involves a step change in approach, and there is often little support available.
That's why we decided to focus on study skills as the subject of this autumn's collectible pull-out series, which starts this week (pages 15-18).
Professor Kay Sambell of Northumbria University, author of a new book, Studying Childhood and Early Childhood: a Guide for Students, is writing the three-part guide, which will be essential for all those beginning or considering enrolling on ECS degree courses. Her advice on areas such as becoming an active learner and tackling assignments will, of course, also be very useful for students at other levels.
While we are still waiting to hear the coalition Government's thoughts on the future shape and structure of the early years workforce, it would be a shame if the sector's drive to upgrade qualifications were to falter now, when so many have committed so much time and effort to study. Collect our series and be inspired!
Nursery World Awards 2010
By the time you read this week's magazine, it will be nearly time for the Nursery World Awards 2010 at the Lancaster London on Friday evening. We're really looking forward to a hugely exciting event - a welcome opportunity to reward the best at a time when cuts and closure seem to be all we hear about. See full coverage in next week's issue.
