Shape children’s lives, and your career

For a start, you can help children learn new skills and develop their personalities. You’ll also be making a difference to their brain development, which means you can have a crucial impact on their whole life. And it’s not just the children’s lives you’ll be changing – your career and outlook on life will take on a whole different shape too.

Annemarie Gillis, from Stevenston, is an Ayrshire College Early Years Ambassador studying NC Higher Early Education and Childcare.  She tells us why she has chosen a career in Early Years.

“I love working with children.  Coming from a big family, it has always been something I’ve enjoyed.

When I was in school, my work experience was at a nursery.  Since then, I’ve worked in a few nurseries, and was also a child-minder for a time too.

My youngest has just gone to school, so the time is right now for me to pursue my career.

I’ve been out of education for such a long time, so getting back into that setting has been strange.  But, I’ve enjoyed the whole learning experience so far.  I’m especially looking forward to the work placement.

At first I was nervous about going to college as a mature student, but I needn’t have worried.  I’ve found that the class is very supportive of each other, and the lecturers are fantastic, which is great.  It really doesn’t matter what age you are.

Initially I came into the course hoping to work in a teacher support role, but now I’d be happy to work in both the school and the nursery setting.

I would say that anyone who wants to work in Early Years has to be really committed.  It’s definitely a career that you need to be passionate about.

The most rewarding thing about working with children is seeing them progress.  Being part of the process is fantastic.”