‘I never got any GCSEs so I didn’t think it was possible to do a degree,’ says Kerry Webb, who had already progressed to a senior role during the eight years since she joined her nursery group at Level 2.
She felt her career could benefit from an academic dimension. The trouble was, she says, ‘I didn’t have the confidence.’
In 2014, just two years after becoming assistant manager of Toad Hall group’s Horley setting, she was able to enrol on the City and Guilds Level 5 Diploma In Leadership For The Children And Young People’s Workforce. It was set up following the 2012 Nutbrown review, which highlighted the lack of adequate progression opportunities in early years, by training provider PBD.
Ms Webb, who already had a Level 3, says, ‘The Level 5 kind of eases you in and you get the credits to be able to go on to the foundation degree, which is what I did.’
Her company footed the bill for the package, which included online study and tutor supervision. A key feature is self-reflection, and students are required to keep a journal, helping them focus on how they operate, and how they can improve.
The tutor came every month for nine months to critique her in action, such as carrying out staff appraisals.
Ms Webb, who is also the SENCO at her setting, feels she has improved her knowledge in this area too. ‘I can understand the children’s needs that bit more.
‘Also I have more understanding towards the parents to help improve their confidence, and I also liaise with outside professionals.’
Because she was keen for Ms Webb to learn academic skills, the tutor encouraged her to reference and evaluate early learning ideas in her essays ‘on how theories fit with what I do in my practice’.
After completing the course in October 2014, Ms Webb went on to do the linked foundation degree at University of Suffolk, and is set to start a SEN-focused BA (Hons) course next year.
Since August, government loans have been made available for Level 5 qualifications.
http://pbdevelopment.co.uk/new-home/career-progression-beyond-level-3
