Outstanding graduate makes impact in the field of Early Childhood
A recent graduate from the University of Chester and mum of two has made a lasting impact through both her high grades and her leadership at a parent-led pre-school.
Chantal Worsdell achieved some of the highest marks ever awarded on the MA Education (Early Childhood) programme at the University, placing her at the top of her cohort.
Chantal, 50, from Shrewsbury, drew on her MA research to help shape the preschool’s approach to parental partnerships, deepening understanding of the parent-led model of early childhood provision.
Chantal’s research also gained national attention, leading to an invitation to present at the prestigious TACTYC (Together And Committed To Young Children) 2024 conference, where she shared her insights into parent-led preschools. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Chantal was awarded the University of Chester’s Prize for Outstanding Dedication to Children’s Development in the Early Years in Memory of Kathryn (Kate) Wilkinson.
Chantal, who is now studying for a doctorate at the University, juggled the challenges of working, being a parent and a volunteer alongside her studies. She said: “My journey in Early Childhood education started when I joined the community-led management team of the small local nursery that my two little boys attended, Opportunity Pre-School. Opportunity is dedicated to welcoming children of all abilities to play and learn together. Set up by a group of parents 35 years ago, it is still community-led and a registered charity. We are well-respected as a regional centre of excellence for SEND provision and work tirelessly as advocates for all our families especially those experiencing additional challenges. Being genuinely child-focused is really important to us and we follow a Reggio-Emilia approach and put the child at the centre of everything we do. Family engagement is really important, so we prioritise respectful and creative partnerships between practitioners and families and together we co-produce our practice. It is a truly wonderful, joyful place and I am so lucky to be involved there.
“I love being on the committee and have been chairperson for a few years now. Through that volunteering, my appreciation for the importance of early childhood grew and in 2021 I qualified as an Early Years Educator and began an MA Early Childhood at Chester. Since then, I have started my doctorate also at Chester! I love being involved with the children and staff and find leading a group of volunteers dedicated to excellence in early childhood provision hugely stimulating and rewarding. The pre-school has an incredibly positive impact on hundreds of children and their families, and because it’s led by parents and practitioners it is really embedded in the local community. I am delighted to work there with the children, alongside my studying and lecturing.”
Chantal said her studies, experience as a parent activist, an early childhood practitioner and a student has been profound for her enabling her to grow in confidence and find her voice.
She added: “As someone who came into the sector through my experiences as a parent, I can often think of myself as ‘just a mum’ and sometimes feel like an imposter in a room full of professionals and academics. I am very lucky to have had amazing support from everyone at University of Chester, especially my tutor Dr Heather Macdonald, helping me to grow in confidence and believe in my voice and my potential to have a positive impact.
“In 2024 I was given the University of Chester’s Prize for Outstanding Dedication to Children’s Development in the Early Years in Memory of Kathryn (Kate) Wilkinson. I was incredibly shocked and found that the award really helped me to feel that I could have a valuable contribution to make to Early Childhood and I am profoundly grateful for that encouragement.”
Chantal is keen to continue her work empowering families and highlighting the importance of Early Years as well as inspiring the next generation of practitioners.
As well as her studies, Chantal also embraced opportunities offered by the University outside of the classroom as a student rep for her course, a student course reviewer and as a volunteer earning the University’s highest award for volunteering—the UCV Excellence Award—as well as the Chester Difference Excellence Award.
She added: “I think the biggest highlight has been the opportunity to meet and build a network of brilliant, inspirational friends and colleagues. Every single lecturer was genuinely fantastic and my fellow students were some of the most talented and generous people I’ve ever met, so the community was just such a fun, enriching and rewarding place to be. I really have loved every moment.”
Dr Heather Macdonald, Senior Lecturer in the University’s School of Education, said: “I am incredibly proud of Chantal for her outstanding achievement on the MA Education (Early Childhood). Her dedication and exceptional research have not only earned her top marks but are also making a significant impact in the field of Early Childhood Education. Her work is a testament to the power of research in shaping best practice and influencing positive change for young children and educators alike.”