Staff Spotlight – Leanne, Early Years Lecturer

Leanne Walledge, Lecturer for Early Years and Health and Social Care at EKC Folkestone College, speaks to us about her industry experience in early years and what she loves most about her role.

How did you get into teaching and how long have you been teaching?

I have worked in Education, Childcare, and Health since I left school. I was a Nursery Manager for a while so that got me into Early Years, and then I worked in independent living in Health and Social Care. I did my Level 3 and 4 in Early Years and my Level 3 in Health and Social Care, afterwards joining EKC Folkestone College as an Industry Liaison Officer.  I did that for about six months and was then offered the role of Early Years and Health and Social Care Lecturer. I have been teaching here for about a year and a half now. I absolutely love it! 

What is your background in Early Years?

I started as a Nursery Practitioner in a Nursery and then progressed to become the Manager of the Nursery. I was a Manager there for four years and completed my Level 3 and 4 in Early Years. 

Why should someone study Early Years at EKC Folkestone College?

The Early Years team work closely together, and everyone has a really good background in Early Years as most of us have been Managers of Nurseries. As we have experience in the sector, we can help students with their practical skills and prepare them for their work placements as we know what will be expected of them. We can give them that extra support because we have a solid background in Early Years ourselves. 

We work a lot with the College’s Nursery, EKC Folkestone Nursery, so that the students get used to that environment. For example, we have been doing a healthy eating unit, so we are going to be preparing snacks for the Nursery. We also do activities with the Nursery.  

There are lots of progression routes in Early Years. You can work as a Nursery Practitioner, or you can branch off into different roles such as a Play Therapist or Social Worker.  

What do you love about working at EKC Folkestone College?

The team is amazing; we are all really close and help each other out. What I love the most about East Kent Colleges Group is that everyone supports everyone. For example, if Early Years at EKC Broadstairs College teach something they share it with us and vice versa so we can get ideas from each other. It is a lovely place to work in. 

What do you enjoy most about your job role?

I enjoy watching students grow and develop. When they first start, they are obviously nervous, and you have to build their confidence. I think the rewards of getting them to the end of their course are massive. You can see what impact you have made because they are going out into the world of work and whatever the future holds for them you know you have played a part in that. 

Can you tell us a fun fact about you?

In addition to being a Lecturer in Early Years and Health and Social Care here, I am also a qualified Personal Trainer and a qualified Boxing Coach. 

Source: folkestonecollege.ac.uk