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From Childminder to Master’s Student: How a Pen Green Degree Opened New Doors for Hadijah
From Childminder to Master’s Student: How a Pen Green Degree Opened New Doors for Hadijah
When Hadijah walked into her first study block at Pen Green, she was nervous. It had been 20 years since she last studied. She worried whether she could keep up, whether she still “had it,” and how she would balance it all with being a full-time childminder.
“I was extremely nervous because prior to Pen Green, I was last doing studying 20 years ago.”
What she couldn’t know on that first day was just how significantly the experience would change her life — professionally, personally, and academically.
Choosing Pen Green: A Practical Route for Working Practitioners
As a self-employed childminder, traditional university routes weren’t realistic for Hadijah. So when she discovered Pen Green’s block-study model, something clicked.
“The study block was an attraction… I was able to plan my business around it. I had to close completely to attend, but doing it in those three and a half weeks a year made it possible.”
During each block, she stayed in a hotel and committed fully to learning. She describes those weeks as intense, immersive, and surprisingly nurturing.
“You can start a Monday a bit wobbly, but by Friday you’re absolutely clear on what you need to do. I felt looked after and nurtured.”
Many students choose Pen Green for this exact reason: it works around real lives — jobs, families, and responsibilities — without compromising academic depth.
Read Hadijah’s full blog here
Ready to Begin Your Own Journey?
If you’re considering studying for a degree in Early Childhood — whether you’re a childminder, nursery practitioner, teaching assistant, or simply passionate about children — Pen Green offers a nurturing, relational, academically rigorous route designed for people just like you.
Your next step starts here.