"I would describe (and frequently do) undertaking the bootcamp with EDT as one of the best choices I have ever made. At the beginning of this course my confidence was really low. I needed direction, encouragement and opportunity and that is exactly what I received from doing the bootcamp. I now have experience with 0-5s under my belt, new references for my CV and relevant certificates in my chosen industry. I would recommend this course one million percent. It could change your life for the better!"Samantha (completed the Skills Bootcamp in June 2024)
Samantha decided she wanted to move into the sector as “I have always had a passion for early years” but was initially finding it difficult to secure work as she didn’t have any early years specific qualifications or experience.
She saw the Skills Bootcamps in Early Years course being advertised and thought it would give her the experience she needed.
Once enrolled in the course, Samantha started work with her Development Coach, Sharon. Together they mapped out a progression route for Samantha, building towards a career in the early years sector.
They set a long-term goal of applying for an early years initial teacher training (EYITT) course following completion of the Skills Bootcamp. The skills and experience gained through the Skills Bootcamps in Early Years would also enable Samantha to find a paid role she could undertake whilst completing her EYITT course.
She then began her Bootcamp learning sessions. These were delivered online by her tutor Gemma who had years of experience in the sector and was “a constant source of support to us all”. Samantha found this to be really valuable as “she was really knowledgeable about day to day life working in nursery settings”.
"The course offered the chance of gaining practical experience in working with under-fives in a local setting. It also offered accredited training and the support of a specialist work development coach to help me secure a paid role in Early Years on completion."Samantha (completed the Skills Bootcamp in June 2024)
Included in the course is work experience, so Samantha was supported to find a placement in a local early years setting.
She found completing this alongside her Bootcamp sessions to be really useful as “This means you can discuss experiences and ideas with other practitioners on the bootcamp in a really relevant way. It also means you can really quickly apply what you’ve learned”.
She really enjoyed working in her placement setting, who offered to both have her on placement for her EYITT course and also consider her for any future roles.
Samantha was supported to gain certificates in Food Hygiene, Safeguarding and Level 3 Paediatric First Aid. She also received one-to-one support from Sharon to develop her CV and improve her interview technique though mock interview sessions.
Just two days after she completed the Skills Bootcamps in Early Years, Samantha secured a temporary paid role working in a local nursery attached to a school. She also has an interview lined up to secure a place for her early years initial teacher training.
“EDT supported us in every way possible to be ready to leave the course and start straight away. In fact, that is basically what has happened in my case!"
Check if you're eligible to join the Skills Bootcamps for Early Years and start your new career in childcare.
If you want to return to the main Skills Bootcamps in Early Years page, click through here or use the Skills Bootcamps logo at the top of the page.