Start your career in childcare
Emma - Project Manager
Emma’s passion for working with children began at just eight years old, inspired by a Comic Relief broadcast that sparked her desire to help. After leaving school, she pursued a vocational route, completing her NNEB diploma in nursery nursing. Her training combined classroom learning with placements in nurseries, schools, and family settings, giving her a strong foundation in child development and care.
Emma’s early career included roles in private and hospital-based nurseries, where she discovered a love for working with babies and built valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and building trust with families. She later joined a Health Visiting team as a Community Nursery Nurse, supporting vulnerable families and promoting child development—work she found deeply rewarding.
Determined to keep learning, Emma took advantage of funded opportunities to access higher education—something she never thought possible. She completed a foundation degree in her late 20s, then went on to achieve a BA and two Level 7 professional qualifications. “I never looked back,” she says.
Her career progressed into leadership roles in Children’s Centres, where she led teams, organised community events, and helped shape services based on local needs. Emma’s ability to build rapport and collaborate across sectors became a key strength.
Seeking a new challenge that fit around family life, Emma retrained as a project manager. Today, she draws on the communication, leadership, and adaptability she developed throughout her childcare career to lead change, manage stakeholders, and deliver impactful campaigns. Emma’s journey shows how skills gained in childcare and early years can open doors to diverse career paths.
Emma’s advice?
“Working with children is a privilege. You get to play, learn, and grow—and it can take you anywhere.”