“If you want to work with children, I would 100% recommend the Level 3 Diploma,” she said.
Amy admitted that initially she was apprehensive about doing the course, but she settled in quickly, thanks to the support from both her lecturers and other students.
“As I was travelling from Cookstown, I didn’t know anyone in the class at the start of the year, but we all fitted in very quickly and I made some great new friends. This was ideal as we worked together and supported one and other during the course.”
She continued that the West Bann Centre was as ideal venue for learning and made the return to school much easier for mature students like her: “It was a lot quieter and didn’t feel like a busy ‘school setting’. There was also a free creche on site for when I needed it.
“The tutors gave us amazing support right from the start. I felt welcome, and at ease asking questions. If I was unable to ask them in person, I could email them between classes, and they always got back to me.
“The course is challenging and, although I found it a bit difficult at the start, it was well worth the effort, and I have no regrets.”
Amy added: “Thanks to this course, I got a lovely placement with the Jack and Jill Playgroup and ended up getting a job with perfect hours that suit my own children.”
The CACHE Level 3 Childcare Learning and Development provides students with the qualification and a licence to practice that is recognised for work in the following areas: Child Minder; Day nursery assistant or supervisor; Pre-school or Playgroup assistant; After school assistant; Nursery school, primary school & special needs school classroom assistant progression route to university or CACHE Level 5 Leadership & Managers Diploma.
Childcare lecturer, Tanya Blair, who co-ordinates the Childcare Learning and Development Level 3 Diploma at the West Bann Centre added that the course contains units that are directly relate to working with children with additional needs, for example, learning disabilities and health needs
“This particular aspect of the course has encouraged many of our students to apply so they can enhance both their knowledge and work skills in this specific area."