Describe a typical day? My day is split between sorting out the practical arrangements for the course, putting the training package together and establishing new contacts for future courses.
What other agencies and who else in your organisation do you have to work with? I work extremely closely with my colleagues in London and the Midlands, in addition to establishing contacts with Sure Start representatives and other professionals in the area who may want to attend a course.
How did you end up in the job? I moved to fpa from being a childcare provider. I delivered Speakeasy parent groups for over two-and-a-half years, so training professionals seems a natural step forward.
What qualifications do you need? People come from all professions but a qualification in early childhood studies has helped me understand the importance of early education and child development.
What is the biggest challenge?
Fitting everything in. It's a new project so there's a lot of preparatory work and a lot of ground to cover.
What advice do you have for others wanting to do this work? You need to be excited and not overwhelmed by working in a newly created role.
Key skills include enthusiasm, self-motivation, good communication and a knack of acquiring lots of information very quickly.
What are the main goals you have set yourself? My short term aim is to develop the EarlyStart training programme. Longer term I want EarlyStart to be known throughout all Sure Start centres.
