Erin Saunders – Learner of The Month: February

What motivated you to pursue a career in early years education?

I have always wanted to work in Early Years and have had a strong interest in children’s brain and cognitive development. As my career progressed, my passion for this area grew and I truly fell in love with the role and the impact it has on children’s development.

Can you share an example of a challenging situation you’ve faced while working with children, and how you handled it?

Children can sometimes experience high intensity emotions and display challenging behaviours. When this happens, I support the child by guiding them to a quieter environment where they feel safe and calm. I then use positive redirection to help them engage in a more suitable activity and regulate their emotions.

How do you encourage children to develop their social skills and emotional well-being?

I encourage children to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences that support all areas of learning. I also promote working with different children in group activities to help build confidence, communication skills, and positive relationships.

How do you manage your time and balance your apprenticeship with the practical work you do at your placement?

I make sure I set aside an appropriate amount of time outside of the room to complete my written work, allowing me to stay organised and manage my Level 3 alongside my practical responsibilities effectively.

Looking back at your apprenticeship so far, what do you feel you have learned most about yourself as an early years practitioner?

I have learned how motivated I am to continue developing my knowledge within Early Years. I have also gained and retained more knowledge, which has increased my confidence and helped me feel more capable and assured in my role.

Here’s what Erin’s manager, Jo, had to say.

“Erin’s training has significantly enhanced her overall knowledge, allowing her to plan activities that effectively support children’s development while keeping all development documentation up to date. She is already a confident individual, but she now also has the knowledge to fully support and evidence this when communicating with both parents and colleagues. Parents are fully aware of Erin’s strong knowledge and have complete trust in her as their child’s key person, which highlights the positive impact she has within the setting. Professional Training Solutions has also been extremely supportive of Erin throughout her learning journey, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.”

Thinking about an Early Years Educator Apprenticeship?

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