Stephanie, nanny in Portsmouth

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at University; as well as everything I have learned through my academic course, I have improved my time management skills, learned to work well under pressure and to deadlines, and I have become much more self-motivated.
Prior to coming to Portsmouth University in September 2011, I volunteered as a young leader at my local Brownie Guide group for five years. My responsibilities included planning and carrying out activities with the children, cleaning up afterwards as well as attending monthly meetings (with both young leaders and adult leaders). I really enjoyed volunteering at my Brownie Guide group and I believe it enabled me to develop the skills needed to work with both adults and children, as well as in a team.
I held a part time job at Boots, 170 High Street Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8RG, from November 2008 to August 2011. I then went on to a zero hours contract which enabled me to continue working at Boots during the holidays when I returned home from University. Working in this environment gave me the opportunity to both work with and engage with individuals from differing backgrounds and of a wide age range, as well as providing me with the opportunity to develop my customer care skills.
I have been volunteering at a Sure Start Children’s Centre for several months; I began with one day a week and increased this to two days a week at two different groups. One 0-2 baby socialisation group, and one 0-5 stay and play group. My role is to help organise and set up the activities for the children before they arrive, to supervise and engage with both the children and adults during the session and to clear away afterwards. I have built good relations with the parents, and they often come to me for advice or just for a general chat. I have great communication skills, with both children and adults, and as a result have built up a good rapport with several of the parents who previously did not want to engage with other parents and found it difficult to come into the sessions. I am an empathic and caring person and I believe this has helped me to support and gain the trust of the parents (and children) at the centre.