Kirstie Prince (née Hutchinson)
Since completing my training at College, I have used the knowledge and experience gained to pursue a career in caring for children. I found that the training primarily provided an invaluable foundation for nursery nursing but also left me with confidence and with social and teamwork skills needed to embark on any career choice.
The training I received was divided into three main areas : practical classroom based activities; theoretical knowledge and work based placements which all cemented together to provide a comprehensive understanding and awareness of children ages 0-7years 11months, and their varying abilities and requirements.
During classroom based activities we learnt essential fundamentals of childcare; basics which included food preparation; good hygiene practices; baby bathing and first aid; all of which helped to give us the understanding and confidence to carry out practical tasks outside of College in our training placements. These placements were based in infant schools; nurseries; special needs schools; families and hospitals and gave an insight into alternative career paths which we could follow as an NNEB Nursery Nurse. I found them to be exceptionally challenging at times but always extremely rewarding not only because of the interaction with the children but the opportunities to learn from the teachers, nurses, parents and other staff with whom I worked alongside. Placements also gave me the opportunity to complete coursework assignments and enabled theoretical knowledge learnt in the classroom to be put into practice.
Our theoretical training included topics such as learning through play; physical; social; intellectual and emotional development of children; nutritional needs and equality of opportunity. These topics were taught in the classroom allowing discussion and learning to take place under the instruction and supervision of tutors able to provide information, support and encouragement.
Overall, I feel that the NNEB training I received enabled me to become a professional in the childcare field, with a comprehensive awareness and understanding of the needs of young children and is a training I would highly recommend to anyone wishing to work as a Nursery Nurse.