How I Got Here: Debra Barton, early years specialist lead, Ministry of Defence

Starting in the early years

I didn’t consider working in the early years sector initially. I left school with very few qualifications and went to work for an insurance broker on a youth training scheme. When I got married and started a family, I realised that working full-time with a young family wasn’t for me, so I became a childminder and started volunteering at the local pre-school. This is where I caught the bug.

I did an early years care and education NVQ3 at night and worked part-time at the pre-school during the week. I found it very motivating but also humbling. I went on to do a foundation degree, a BA (hons) and master’s degree in early childhood and now, 25 years later, I am doing a self-funded, part-time PhD with the University of Worcester looking at the influence of military deployment on parenting young children from naval families.

Career choices

I’ve had a varied career. I started as a volunteer in a pre-school and worked as a childminder and in all early childhood practitioner roles from pre-school assistant to owner/manager. I loved sitting on the floor playing Lego and exploring the properties of gloop, and really was living my best life, married with four children, a job I adored and the cap and gown picture I had always wanted.

A health scare and subsequent operations forced me to re-evaluate what I wanted out of life and my career. I knew that early childhood was where I wanted to work, and that I wanted to make a difference to as many young children and families as I could. I sold my business, did some part-time lecturing, and worked in a children’s centre.

A force for families

I took a maternity cover position with the Pre-School Learning Alliance, which turned into a full contract as senior childcare manager. Due to the organisation restructuring and the Birmingham office closing, I had time to concentrate on my master’s degree, and doing consultation work.

I worked for West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association in Birmingham for a while, and although I didn’t work with children, I engaged with armed forces reservists, and this gave me an understanding of the challenges armed forces families face.

When I saw the job advert for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) early years specialist lead, I knew I wanted to apply. I started in July 2019, working with early years providers, government departments and local authorities.

I have the privilege of speaking to serving personnel and their families, and I work with military chains of command across the UK and overseas, where I advocate for service children, raising awareness to ensure they don’t face disadvantage because of their parents’ chosen career.

Professional identity

I am privileged to call myself an early childhood practitioner, and I hope that I never lose that. My friends have often said snap me in half and I have early years written through me, prick me with a pin and I will bleed paint and glue. Early childhood is my passion and my vocation, and whilst it’s been a lot of hard work, and there has been highs and lows, knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of young children, is what gets me up in a morning and sends me to bed at night content, with a feeling of gratitude.

Did I mention how much I love my job?

TOP THREE CAREER TIPS

1. Don’t be afraid of changing your career path. Life is a big adventure that changes regularly, but no matter what your age, you can always re-train.

2. Look for ways to improve yourself as a professional. If you can’t find any, create them yourself – attend conferences, engage with other professionals, and never stop learning.

3. Do what you love, and love what you do. There are many careers working with children and young people, choose a job that motivates, inspires, and brings you joy.