I moved to Leeds Trinity University in September 2019 from my home in Devon, and I never thought it would lead me to Malawi.

I joined Leeds Trinity on the Foundation Year programme in the first year it was delivered. After completing that course I moved to the Foundation Degree in Early Years practice where I could continue learning about young children and also support myself whilst working at a nursery. As I came to the end of my foundation degree and prepared to join my final level 6 year in Early Childhood studies, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to expand my learning on a global scale.

As part of my employment with Children’s Corner Nursery group and their family run charity, Changing Stars Malawi, I was lucky enough to have been selected to visit Malawi in July 2022. Changing Stars Malawi was established in 2009 with the aim to create a long-lasting legacy helping the children of Malawi, starting with one child at a time. All employees of the nursery group could apply to join the fully funded voluntary project, and my application was found to be very strong. This opportunity enabled me to train and work alongside early years teachers as well as being able to visit children within the nursery, school and orphanage all connected to the charity. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to share my knowledge of early years practice with children deserving of quality education; and to bring all my learning back to Leeds.

At the school I taught at in Cape Maclear, there were no desks or chairs. The class of around 40-50 children would sit on the floor and learn from a single book that was held up by the teacher, they would repeat phrases written on the board and then be asked a series of questions. This challenged what I knew about effective early learning, yet the resources and environment was so different to a UK perspective. When thinking about childhood, I believe a frequent misconception is the idea of all children being carefree, having access to stimulating learning environments and to have love and protection, however in so many areas of the world this is very far from the reality.

While volunteering in Cape Maclear, I was able to work in both a nursery and primary school. Here the children I taught arrived each day with boundless enthusiasm, so eager and excited to learn. I am so grateful for this opportunity and feel this builds upon all the earlier experiences I have gained through my studies and employment. I am excited about how this experience can inspire my practice with children in Leeds, as well as my own personal development and lessons that can last a lifetime.

Sinead Bailey-Robbins graduated in 2022 with a degree in Supporting Early Years Practice in the School of Children, Young People and Families, and is now studying for a Professional Practice degree in Early Childhood Studies. Find out more about our Professional Practice Degrees at Leeds Trinity.