Childcare degree top achievers

For the third year in succession, a student from North West Regional College (NWRC) has been acknowledged as the best performing student in the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies course, a province-wide employment-focussed programme aimed at producing the next generation of childcare workers, classroom assistants and Crèche managers.

Delivered in each of the FE Colleges across Northern Ireland, this year’s programme saw local student Karen McMenamin finish as the highest achiever from a total of over 100 students. Karen’s success follows former NWRC students Tracey Dunne and Sharon McLaughlin, who were also acknowledged as the highest achievers on the course in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.

Tracey’s success enabled her to progress from the course to undertake an honours degree with Stranmillis University and she continues to work as a Classroom Assistant with Galliagh Nursery. Sharon, meanwhile, progressed from the Foundation Degree to complete a 1st class Honours Degree with the University of Teeside, while continuing to work fulltime as a Classroom Assistant with Lisneal College.

These successes have positioned each of the students as highly skilled practitioners within the early years sector, and as a result of the theoretical and practical skills they have gained during their studies it is very likely that a number of career and employment prospects will arise for them in the future.

Applications are now available for September. The closing date is August 24. For full details are available via email [email protected] or telephone 028 7127 6521.