Fantastic five offered jobs after successful placements

Five outstanding Loughborough College students have been offered permanent jobs at nurseries across the region - before they’ve even completed their work placements.

Level Three Early Years Education students Mia Workman, Emily-Jayne Dutton, Sophie Elphick, Tessamay Joule and Sofia Battista have impressed employers at nurseries as part of their programme.

Emily-Jayne, 20, from Loughborough, has been offered a job at Watermead Children’s Day Nursery in Loughborough.

She said: “I’m so excited and relieved that I’m set for when I finish college. I’ve really enjoyed my experience as they made me feel very welcome and took the time to teach me new things and support me, not only with working there but also with my college work and observations.

“If I were to give advice to anyone else thinking about doing the college course, make sure you have some experience with children so you know that you enjoy working with them. If you don’t have a passion for it, then some people may find it extremely challenging.”

Gill Heyhoe, from Watermead Children’s Day Nursery, said: “Emily joined us as a student with no previous childcare sector experience of her own. Since starting her placement at Watermead she has completely embraced the childcare sector with her enthusiasm.

“Emily is fun to be around and the children gravitate towards her. She supports our children and engages with them in a positive, open and meaningful manner helping to develop their play and learning experiences.

“She has also made positive relationships with staff and works effectively as part of our team of practitioners and is happy to contribute to our daily planning. Emily has aspirations to go further and we are happy to be a part of her career journey. Just some of the reasons we have offered Emily employment.”

The full list of students and their new employers are:

• Mia Workman – Scallywags in Melbourne, Derbyshire
• Emily Wood-Dutton - Watermead Children’s Day Nursery, Loughborough
• Sophie Elphick - Lullabies Nursery, Glenfield
• Tessamay Joule - Watermead Day Nursery, Loughborough
• Sofia Battista - Beacon Academy Nursery, Loughborough

Gaynor Rice, a lecturer in the Caring Services team at Loughborough College, said: “We’re so proud of our students who have worked hard, studied diligently and really made an impact on their placements to secure jobs.

“The feedback we get about students from employers is usually great, but some of the feedback we’ve had this year has been exceptional. Congratulations to every one of them.”