Shelley, nanny - DN4 Warmsworth

From a young age I have wanted to work with children. In 2012 I began studying Child Development at Doncaster College. Finishing my education in May this year I have received Level 2 Children and Young People's Workforce, and CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma receiving an overall A in my research papers.
In 2011 as part of our work experience I completed 2 weeks as Bright Beginnings Day Nursery. During this period of time I prepared activities and encouraged the children to take part and learn. I monitored their activities in the playgroup to ensure safety at all times. I also maintained a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene. My organisational skills had improved to ensure all my tasks where completed on time.
Through my time in College I have gained several experiences, these experiences include; becoming a volunteer at Doncaster High Melton, working within a school and being selected to go on an international trip to Sweden. When volunteering at High Melton I worked alongside a professional babysitter and the child whom were in her care. My duties where to support these children in an outdoor environment safeguarding their welfare and ensuring the environment was used to its full potential. I volunteered for a period of four weeks, each week was based on a topic e.g. goldilocks, were going on a bear hunt. During these periods I had to design props that where suitable for the children to use and enhance their learning and development. Through my experiences at High Melton I could identify the benefits the outdoors have on children, my confidence had gained as I was able to share my experiences with my setting I was studying at. As the children where aged between 18months and 5years it widen my age range of children who I have worked with.

Each Childcare course at Doncaster College requires different amount of hours spent in a placement. After studying three years at College I have gained over 950hours at Mallard Primary School in Balby working with children aged between 3years and 5years. Working in Mallard Primary School required me to have an understanding of their policies and procedures, frameworks and legislations. Through studying at both College and Mallard my awareness and knowledge on these documents grew stronger and I am now able to apply them into my work practice. At the beginning of this year I was asked to take several observations cross referencing them to the Early Years Foundation Stage. I am aware how vital the Early Years Foundation Stage is and how each area can affect one another. Like observations I have also been asked to take daily activities, lead groups and monitor children's development. Through doing these things in practice it has gave me more confidence, awareness, ideas and improved my knowledge and understanding. At the beginning on my career at Mallard I was shy, unaware and scared on what I had to do and what was expected. Now my journey has ended I can see how much I have improved on. Due to my achievements my self-esteem and confidence is a lot higher. As well as working effectively with children I have also had to work alongside their parents/careers and staff members. An example of this is when a child misbehaved on a regular basics. I kept clear records including time, date, the situation, and those around the child. After highlighting my key finding I reported it to my room leader identifying models in which we could use to improve the child's behave. Once we had come to a decision I spoke in a confidential manner to the child's parents to inform them of the steps we where going to take. Other responsibilities I have untaken include; prepare areas in which the children where working in, supported children when using resources, supported other members of staff when they where unsure or needed support and took part in academic visits. My work is always to a high standard and presented in a professional manner. I have always managed to meet deadlines, or handed work in before hand, using excellent time management skills. Throughout my time at College and at Mallard I have gained my skills in organisation, time management, reliability and all round professionalism.

From studying hard I was selected to take part in an overseas project in Sweden experiencing education for young children. The two week work experience enabled me to bring new ideas and concepts on learning and development for young children. I have been able to identify the changes in work ethics and was able to see the benefits this provided. Throughout this trip I had to be open minded, reliable and professional in order for me to further my development.