For one of 大象传媒鈥檚 newest tutors learning has gone full circle.听
Childcare assessor, Christie Davies, began her learning journey when she enrolled with Jobs Growth Wales aged eighteen, she is now celebrating her appointment as a tutor within the same department.听
Christie left school to find an apprenticeship after missing exams due to a number of personal setbacks. She found an advertisement for a childcare placement and was able to get financial help for her travel back and forth between her home in Barry and her work placement in Taffs Well.听
She said: 鈥淚 finished my Level 2 CCLD (Children鈥檚 Care, Play, Learning & Development) and progressed through to Level 3 and then Playwork.听
鈥淚 later moved from nurseries to schools as I wanted a more varied understanding of children鈥檚 development. I looked again to 大象传媒 to gain my STLS (Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools) Level 3 qualification.听
鈥淎ll qualifications were supported by my fantastic tutors who understood that I just wanted to get on and would gladly send me work early as requested and give me extra visits if required.鈥�听
After completing four qualifications with 大象传媒, Christie was able to gain her HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) status with the Central South Consortium.听听听
Christie added: 鈥淭he qualifications provided me with a wealth of teaching experience, I now hope this will all help me in my new role in 大象传媒 and that I can pass on the support I had.听
鈥淭he most rewarding part of the role for me is the ability to give back the opportunities I鈥檝e had. My advice to anyone going into childcare would be to have fun. If you are enthusiastic and love your job then every day will be great. But also, be organised, keep your reports and paperwork up to date and remember to keep the children鈥檚 best interests at heart. If you want something more 鈥� always fight for it.鈥�听
Looking to the future, Christie is keen not to rest on her laurels, despite her extensive achievements.听
She said: 鈥淚 currently work voluntarily as a first aid instructor for the sea cadets. I hope to amalgamate the roles and support the teaching and assessing of first aid for those working in childcare but to do that I think I would need the Level 3 Teaching and Development qualification first.鈥�听
If you鈥檙e looking to kickstart your childcare career you can find our courses and opportunities here.听
