Daniel, baby sitting in Bideford

Having been involved in working with children since 2004, I have a great depth of knowledge in how to care and support children of different ages, and this is supported through my current work and voluntary work. I have a passion for working with children and believe that they can be taught valuable life lessons during their time in primary school, as well as through the National Curriculum. It will help children to grow emotionally and mentally into young mature people and this is a process that I would like to be a part of. I am very keen to have a positive input into the lives of the children I work with. It is recognized that males are under-represented in the world of teaching; however I have an ambition to change this and become a positive role model, especially within the primary education sector. I have many years of working with children of all ages, from babies up until year 6 children. I have taken the initiative in using my spare time as gaining some voluntary work across different schools and ages and seeing just how a school works and runs during the day.

During my former place of work, I work with both 2-3 year olds, and within the after school and holiday club we run. Within this setting we have many different needs to suit all children, from allergies, learning disabilities, and interests, and I work hard to make sure all these needs are met to each individual child so that they have as much fun and engagement through the day as they possibly can. One of my big interests within my work is outdoor play.
I have a real interest in the way the outdoors can teach children, just as much, if not more than it can indoors.

During my time away from work, I enjoy looking through the internet and other books on activities and displays I can use for certain themes such as Christmas. Recently speaking, within the nursery I created a music area, in which a CD player with headphones and a range of CD’s were accessible to the children to use at any time they wish. This had a real impact on the children as this was very popular and story books were even introduced so they could read and listen at the same time.
I also know how important it is within the school to display the children artwork as and when they do this, and feel that displays are one of the key ways to express interest to the children but also parents and visitors about what the children have been learning about.
Having been in a nursery for 6 years, I have a very creative mind when it comes to displays and ideas to improve the room, which would be very beneficial within the classroom, working together with the other teachers in order to come up with effective displays of learning for the children, and having a child-initiated approach to the idea.