Wakefield College Childcare & Health Newsletter Autumn 2024
Department Newsletter
Autumn I 2024
CHILDCARE, EARLY YEARS & CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Welcome
Greetings from Wakefield College’s Childcare, Early Years & Childhood Studies, and Health, Social Care & Wellbeing departments.
My name is Carla Cantrell and I am thrilled to welcome you to read our departmental newsletter, an exciting new publication designed to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments in our amazing department.
In this newsletter, you can find out what our current and former students have been up to over the past year –from career activities to college trips, enrichment and student stories.
As the head of the department, I am continually proud of our students, their hard work and commitment to both their studies and work placements. The department is full of friendly faces who all have something in common – a passion for caring for others.
We take pride in our facilities and industry links, such as our amazing nursery and healthcare classrooms as well as our partnerships with employers including local schools, early years settings and healthcare providers. These all help to ensure that when our students leave the College, they are fully equipped with the knowledge and hands-on experience that they need to begin their careers.
I hope you enjoy reading through the newsletter and finding out about all the exciting things we have been up to lately.
Carla Cantrell
Head of Childcare, Early Years & Childhood Studies and Health, Social Care & Wellbeing
HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE & WELLBEING
Student Award Celebrations
In 2024, the Childcare & Health departments hosted their first-ever awards evenings at both Wakefield College and Castleford College.
Students, with their family and friends, attended the celebratory evenings where they enjoyed grazing on a delicious food spread whilst watching the highlights of the year on the big screen.
As the awards commenced, three students from each class within the departments were awarded with a ‘Student of the Year’, ‘Success Against Adversity’ and ‘Creativity and Innovation’ award. Tutors from the Childcare & Health departments delivered speeches on their class winners as they came up to the stage to collect their certificates and take a photo together with the Head of Department, Carla Cantrell.
Human Anatomy Sessions
Here are our T Level Health students learning about the structure and function of cells as part of their Human Anatomy practical sessions.
Using the College’s Science labs, which have all the equipment they need such as lab coats and microscopes, the students observed some
human cells. They then created 3D models of the cells they observed using Play Doh, labelling each cell component accurately.
The students have also been able to participate in some exciting dissections in their Human Anatomy classes, giving them great insight into this subject.
Paediatric First Aid Course
Our Level 3 Childcare students underwent essential training in their second year, which saw them complete their Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene qualifications that are key to further develop their skills once they are licensed to practice. Once qualified, this will make students stand out to employers as it shows that they already have some of the necessary practical skills to work in childcare or social work.
of Year Trips
Hear from our Students End
T Level Education & Childcare
After achieving a Distinction in my T Level for Education & Childcare, I am going on to study Primary Education at Sheffield Hallam University. I enjoyed the practical learning we did in lessons such as the nursery classroom where we learnt how to create lesson resources and plan activities. My industry placement has also given me behaviour management skills and taught me how to deal with those with Special Educational Needs.
Childcare & Early Years
Aamna
I decided to do the Level 3 course in Children’s Care, Learning and Development as I knew it would help me to gain the experience to become a teacher. My teachers encouraged me to gain experience in all the different areas so I could decide exactly what I needed to become a teacher specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disability.
Health & Social Care
Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust said about our apprentice, Nina:
As a Healthcare Assistant apprentice, Nina has progressed her skills and work ethic significantly. Nina is often praised by both her colleagues and patients for her compassion as well as her exemplary clinical knowledge and unwavering commitment to her role - Nina won the Health Apprentice of the Year 2023 at our Annual Apprenticeship Awards.
Emily Scarborough Beach
Flamingo Land
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Forest Schools Training Trip
Not all our learning takes place indoors! T Level Education & Early Years have been learning about a range of approaches to teaching. They got to visit a local Forest School where they had a session to support their knowledge and understanding of the outdoor learning approach for children and learned how this could be applied to their own practice in the future.
Level 3 Childcare spent four weeks exploring the Forest School environment. They developed lots of new skills such as fire lighting, whittling, health and safety outdoors and den building as well as collaboration, active listening and problem solving - all skills which they can implement in their journey going forward as educators.
New Healthcare Simulation Facilities
Our T Level Health and Health & Social Care students have access to a hospital simulation ward at the College where students can practice on and treat realistic mannequins using industry-standard equipment. Using the mannequins, students can test their clinical skills by taking blood samples, removing catheter tubes from the bladder, treating wounds, inserting feeding tubes and more.
Thinking about careers...
Our Education & Early Years students were visited by Leeds Trinity University, taking part in a session exploring primary education degrees. As many of our learners are aspiring primary school teachers, they were eager to get involved in the discussions with the visiting lecturers that were centred around child development theory and how children learn literacy and maths.
Our Health & Social Care students also welcomed representatives from the NHS Mid Yorkshire Trust. The visitors spoke to the students about the core values and ethos of working for the NHS – as many of our learners are aiming to do. They also introduced conversations about progression opportunities into higher education such as the Bradford School of Nursing.
The two sessions allowed the students to meet and speak to people who have studied the same qualifications as they are, helping them to advance into careers that they love.
Carla said: “We wanted our students to learn and experience what working on a real-life hospital ward is like. The mannequins replicate people of all ages, skin colours and bodyweights, meaning students can gain insight into dealing with the needs of a range of different patients. This cutting-edge technology means that our T Level students can seamlessly transition from the classroom to working out in the industry on their placements.”
