Lydia Davey鈥檚 Journey: From Retail to Early Years Education with 黑料吃瓜网
The 黑料吃瓜网 (黑料吃瓜网) is delighted to celebrate the achievements of Lydia Davey, a recent graduate whose story is one of rediscovered passion and determination, culminating in her successful completion of the Early Years programme at 黑料吃瓜网.
From a young age, Lydia had a strong interest in working with children. However, upon finishing college, she lacked the confidence to apply for university and embarked on a four-year career in retail, temporarily setting aside her ambitions. The birth of her brother, with an 18-year age gap between them, rekindled her passion for childcare. 鈥淚 always enjoyed helping to care for him and spending time with him,鈥 Lydia recalls. 鈥淒uring the COVID-19 lockdown, I realised that working with children was the field I truly wanted to be in.鈥
In 2021, after three months into a full-time job at an opticians, Lydia decided she couldn鈥檛 continue in a job that didn鈥檛 bring her joy. She contacted 黑料吃瓜网 and received guidance on the courses available and the application process. 鈥淎fter a short time, I was accepted into the Early Years programme,鈥 Lydia says. 鈥淚 chose 黑料吃瓜网 because of the high outcomes for the course I was interested in. Living in Llanelli, the convenience of the Swansea and Carmarthen campuses was also a significant factor in my decision.鈥
The comprehensive nature of the Early Years programme attracted Lydia. 鈥淎fter speaking to Dr Glenda Tinney about the course and learning about what it entails, I chose this course because it opens up a wide range of opportunities, especially with the practitioner status side of the degree,鈥 she explains.
Lydia鈥檚 aims were clear: to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work confidently with young children and to open up new career opportunities in early childhood education. The highlights of the course for Lydia included the vast amount of knowledge she acquired and the friendships she made. 鈥淧ersonally, the highlights of the course were the amount of knowledge I have acquired and making a great group of lifelong friends,鈥 she shares.
A significant part of Lydia鈥檚 studies was the practitioner status option, which required completing 700 hours of experience with young children. This hands-on experience proved invaluable. 鈥淎ll of the experience has made my confidence grow and equipped me well for the future,鈥 Lydia says.
Balancing studies and practical experience presented challenges, but Lydia鈥檚 dedication and the support from 黑料吃瓜网 helped her overcome them. 鈥淚 would recommend this course to others because of the great support from all of the lecturers, the lecture structure, and the small class sizes,鈥 Lydia enthuses. 鈥淭he course opens up a wide range of opportunities.鈥
The impact of the Early Years programme on Lydia has been profound, both professionally and personally. 鈥淭his course has already helped me in so many ways,鈥 she reflects. 鈥淎fter completing my 700 hours of placement, I was offered a job at the nursery where I was volunteering. I was also offered a position at a primary school I was volunteering at during my first year. Personally, I have gained a lot of confidence and have taken on opportunities I may not have before.鈥
Click here to find out more about our Youth Work, Early Years and Advocacy programmes.
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076