University Centre Peterborough Celebrates Curriculum Lead’s Published Research in Early Years Educator.

University Centre Peterborough is proud to celebrate the achievements of Sarah Guscott, Curriculum Lead in Adult Care, whose innovative research has been featured in a three-part series in the esteemed Early Years Educator Magazine.

This milestone showcases Sarah’s dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of sensory processing but also highlights how her expertise directly benefits our students and the wider community.

Sarah’s journey to publication began during her master’s degree, where she explored practitioners’ understanding of sensory processes and difficulties with a focus on the often-overlooked internal sensory systems: the interoceptive, proprioceptive and vestibular systems. Her work highlights these systems’ profound impact on children’s lives and offers practical strategies for early years practitioners to create more inclusive and supportive environments.

With support from her supervisor, she connected with the editor of Early Years Educator and proposed her research as a mini-series. The process involved drafting and revising articles, which were reviewed before being published over three months. 

While Sarah is proud of the outcome, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. “Finding participants for my research was difficult,” she explained. “Initially, I planned to do interviews, but with people’s busy schedules, I had to adapt to using questionnaires instead.” Sarah also went on to talk about how important it was to balance her work and home life balance; “Balancing research, family commitments and community work was tough, but I’m so glad I persevere.” 

At University Centre Peterborough, Sarah incorporates her findings into her teaching, equipping students with practical strategies they can use in their future careers. She also encourages all students to pursue their research: “Go for it. It’s hard work, but the rewards are worth it. Things won’t always go to plan, but don’t give up – seeing your work in print is an incredible feeling.”

Through her teaching and research, Sarah is helping UCP students to develop the skills and confidence to make a real difference in their chosen fields. 

For more information on our Early Years courses, click here.