Lauren, babysitting in Cranleigh GU6

Throughout my life I have been a very keen childcare practitioner. My passion of working with children began when I joined my local day care setting as a volunteer at the age of 16 years old and I still continue to work for them, demonstrating my enthusiasm and dedication. During this time, I have had the honour of being employed by the setting and being part of their team. This rewarding experience has given me an insight into the childcare industry.

Because I had a big interest in working with children I decided to do my level 3 Childcare Diploma at College. Throughout the course I completed three different placements that enabled me to work with children aged between 0-7 years. During this course I feel that I have been able to improve my team work and communication skills with children, families and other practitioners. I grew in confidence and my self-esteem was raised. And as a result of this course I have taken many opportunities that I felt would help me to improve my professional skills as a practitioner. Two of the opportunities that I had, I feel have helped me to become a more experienced practitioner. I have carried out a Level 2 Food Hygiene Course, and a Level 2 Food Allergens Awareness Course which have helped me to meet the individual needs of some children. Alongside being in full-time education I had a part time weekend job, I worked as a Swimming Teacher on weekdays, this job required me to plan and carry out activities with my teaching groups. There were a variety of abilities, ages and needs within the groups of children that I taught, which meant that I had to do a lot of adaptation and differentiation.
For a couple of years I became a volunteer at Rainbows where I then worked towards becoming a Young Leader for all guiding associations. I have also done some voluntary work in a sports and leisure centre where I worked alongside the children’s fitness instructor. Here I took part in; Gymnastic lessons, trampolining, swimming lessons for children, football, tumble tots, toddler rugby and fundamentals. I found this experience particularly important as it’s has helped me to understand the importance of physical activity for children.
I have done lots of evening babysitting and day time nannying for many families with children ages 3 months- 10 years.

At the age of 18 I decided to fulfill my dream of becoming a Norland Nanny. During my time at Norland College, I completed a British Sign Language course, self-defence training, skid pan driving course, practiced sewing and cooking skills, completed a baby massage course, first aid, sleep training and much much more!! In addition to these courses I was privileged to become a student engagement representative which was a very positive and rewarding opportunity.

One of my vivid placements whilst studying at Norland was spending a week on a maternity ward. During this placement I supported the maternity nurses both on the post-natal and neo-natal wards. My daily role consisted of; showing parents how to bath their baby, supporting breastfeeding and bottle feeding, carrying out importance care routines for the baby such as weighing, checking their heart beat and caring of the umbilicus.

Since graduating Norland in 2018. I have had 2 nanny jobs, my first was for 18months as a live in nanny for two children ages 9months and 2 years. My second and most recent job is a live out role with two children, a newborn and a toddler aged 20 months. Both jobs required me to be proactive, imaginative, initiative, organised, trustworthy, reliable and most importantly fun! I have enjoyed both of these jobs thoroughly and enjoy what every new day has to offer. On a daily basis we take trips out to the local recreational grounds/park for some exercise and fresh air, we do lots of arts and crafts, alongside messy play. And find time for Imaginative play. We love playing spontaneously with different toys and recreating scenes from our favourite stories to develop our imagination skills.