Choosing to study childcare in Shetland is not just a choice of a career - it's a choice of community and connection. HNC Childhood Practice student Tegan Hendran demonstrates the kind of engagement that promises a bright future for young generations.
Tegan Hendran's journey into childcare wasn't a straight path. Before deciding on her current course, she spent a year exploring different jobs and adjusting to what life offered beyond high school.
From working at The Dowry Cafe to the toy shop in Harry's department store, she searched for something that felt right. This exploratory phase was essential, as it gave her the space to discover her real passion: working with children.
Her choice to study childcare was partly inspired by a teacher, Mark Sandison. Tegan recalls: “He was just the most amazing teacher I've ever had. He had such good relationships with the children, and I had a good relationship with him. I want to be like him, making it [learning] fun. He was such a big inspiration to me when I was a kid.”
Tegan's extensive volunteer work with children during her school years also influenced her decision. This included involvement in sports clubs and local community groups like Inferno Dance Group and swimming club Shetland Hurricanes. These experiences not only honed Tegan’s skills but also deepened her love for working with young people – an interest that eventually drew her to the HNC Childhood Practice course.
The practical elements of her course are what Tegan likes the most.
She previously tried remote courses but found they lacked engagement. Her current studies allow her invaluable hands-on experiences.
"I just love going in and interacting with the kids," Tegan says, revealing that the placements give her practical insights that theoretical studies could never match. This direct involvement enriches her learning and solidifies her career choice each day she spends on placement.
Obviously it is stressful when you have all these assessments to do, but you do get through it and the lecturers are just, they're amazing. They're always willing to help you.
Living and studying in Shetland offers unique advantages, especially community and cost-effectiveness. For Tegan, staying on the islands meant she kept her close-knit circle of friends and family while avoiding the financial burden of expensive student accommodation.
She explains: "If I went away to uni, then I'd have to pay for accommodation and probably get a lot of student loans, which would probably put me into debt. But coming here [UHI Shetland], it's just a bus and you're here and that's it."
support through the Students Awards Agency for Scotland also alleviates the pressures of funding her education, allowing her to focus more on her studies and less on money constraints. She says: "Having that SAAS funding has been helpful. I've been able to save a lot of it as well. So I've got savings as well as having money to spend."
One significant aspect of studying in Shetland that Tegan appreciates is the familiarity with the community. Knowing the children she is working with and their families personally adds a layer of connection that enhances her ability to engage and teach effectively. "It just makes more to converse with them about," she notes, emphasising how this familiarity fosters a better learning environment for both the children and herself.
Tegan says she has made many more friends through her college course. The class has become a close-knit group of students, who are all good at motivating each other.
"I've made friends with all the girls that have been in my course. And we're also mixed with people who are doing social services. We’re all really close now. Sometimes it's been hard to keep motivated. But we're all really good at helping each other out and motivating each other."
The supportive college staff also play a crucial role in her educational experience. Tegan praises her lecturer, Ritchie Summers, for going above and beyond in providing opportunities that extend beyond the traditional curriculum. These include collaborative projects with other islands like Orkney, which not only broaden the students' perspectives but also help ease the stress of academic assessments.
She says: "Obviously it is stressful when you have all these assessments to do, but you do get through it and the lecturers are just, they're amazing. They're always willing to help you."
Tegan is optimistic about her career in childcare. She is considering further qualifications to become a primary teacher and is even thinking about innovative educational models like Montessori and Froebelian methods.
Her ambition is fuelled by a desire to bring new and effective educational practices to Shetland, inspired by her experiences and the potential she sees in tailored education.
Studying childcare in Shetland is more than just an academic pursuit. It's an opportunity to grow within a supportive community, benefit from a financially viable setup, and make real connections that enhance personal and professional life.
For Tegan and many others like her, it's a gateway to a fulfilling career that starts at home.
If Tegan's story inspires you, click the link to discover more about Teaching Careers in Shetland.