Spotlight on…Bethany Arthey

Why did you decide to study childcare?

When I left school at 16, I went straight into work in retail. When I turned 18 I realised this was my life chance and I needed to go to college, put my head down and get on with it. I come from a very big family and we had lots of issues, so I love researching and looking into similar problems to help others. I loved the idea I could be a person children would trust and feel safe with, and their parents wouldn’t worry.

Why do you think you won CACHE’s Learner of the Year award?

I think it’s because they had the whole picture of me. I got excluded from high school and had a lot of built-up anger from childhood. I had ADHD and depression and was put into a pupil referral unit. But I still got GCSEs, and when they gave me this chance I took it. I’m in every day, I’m never late, and my work on placement is of a really good standard.

What are the best parts of your role?

On placement you get the chance to sit back and observe how people do things well and not so well and learn from that. Also, I didn’t know much about the laws on childcare and it’s been really interesting going into depth on them. You have to read and understand them in class, but then you can go into placement and see how they work in practice.

What’s next for you?

I was going to do an Access course in law, but now I’m going to stay on to do my Level 3. I’m in love with my placement. I’ve made really good bonds with staff and children and I don’t want to leave my teacher either. I am so grateful for the way she accepted me even after she heard about my past. I want to own my own nursery one day, and I’m still interested in law. Right now I’m just seeing where it takes me, I will get it all done in the end.