Sophie Hatton

BA Early Years Professional Practice

“I chose to study Early Years Professional Practice at Anglia Ruskin University due to the opportunity to undertake practice placements throughout my course. My studies are split 50% in University and 50% in practice. I attend University 2 days a week and placement 2 days a week. I am in my second year now and thus my placements have been beneficial by linking theory to practice.


My placements have varied. During my first year I was in a day nursery and in my second year I have been in a mainstream school within a hearing impaired unit. This has given me a variety of opportunities to extend my knowledge and I have grown in confidence when teaching and working with children. I can relate the theory that I am learning to the practice in placement.


With this course I have had the opportunity to work with children that have special educational needs. I have learnt British Sign Language and I asked to be put in to a placement that supports hearing impaired children. This allowed me to develop my skills and knowledge with hearing impaired children, but I also related one of my modules to how hearing impaired children are supported within a mainstream school. I am going back to this school in my final year. The University has supported me with this placement by allowing me to pursue an area I enjoy.


I am a student ambassador for the University. This consists of helping with open days for potential students, primary and secondary school visits and taster days. I enjoy this immensely as it gives me the opportunity to talk to potential students and to give them my view and story of how I came to University. This is a great experience and allows me to answer any questions potential students have such as course content and finance.


A great opportunity for Anglia Ruskin University students is Mission Croatia. I am going out to Croatia, with other University students and staff, in the summer for 2 weeks to do charity work. There are 4 different sites based in hospitals where children and adults with special needs live and an orphanage. Once out there we will do painting, plastering, sanding etc and also have a fun day with the children and adults who live there. Many of the people in the hospitals don't go outside because of the poor facilities or have many fun days. This is the reason for Mission Croatia. To support and change someone else living conditions and to have some fun. Mission Croatia has been around for 15 years and I have the opportunity to be part of this and make a difference.


I would recommend the Early Years Professional Practice course at Anglia Ruskin University as this course gives you the opportunity to extend your knowledge while improving your professional skills.

”