A childcare student is celebrating after gaining employment with a nursery in Launceston.

Duchy College student, Danielle Payne, who has completed the BTEC children’s play, learning and development national diploma Level 3, has joined Tiny Tots nursery in Launceston as a key worker in the toddler room.

Danielle had been working at Tiny Tots for her placement, when the opportunity arose for a maternity cover, leading to Danielle applying to become a full time member of staff.

She said: “I am now working at Tiny Tots five days a week and I absolutely love it. The team is lovely, every day is different and I feel I am learning so much. I have loved my time here at Duchy, the tutors want you to do really well so they push you. At some points I really struggled with the course, but they kept encouraging me — they really believed in me. I am returning to do the FdA in September, then I plan to do the PGCE and become a primary school teacher.”

Director at Tiny Tots, Emma Berryman, said Danielle is ‘an asset to the team at Tiny Tots’.

She said: “She embraces her role as a key worker in the toddler room in a very professional way, always showing compassion, patience and understanding to the children. She is a valued member of our team and we look forward to watching her grow in her profession.”

Team lead for children, schools and families at Duchy College, Laetitia Mayne, said it is ‘fantastic that Danielle has gained employment with her early years educator placement’.

She added: “It is important for us as a college to not only provide employers with the staff that they need, but those of the highest quality. Our team of fully qualified early years and primary school staff are the best placed to teach the skills that our students need to be the next generation of the workforce.

“We wish Danielle well for her future career in the sector and with her progression onto the foundation degree in children and young people’s workforce.”

For more information on the range of childcare courses available across the Cornwall College Group, visit www.duchy.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.