Shannon, occasional childcare in Dundee

My name is Shannon, I am 21 years old and I currently study an MA Education (Primary) at Dundee University. I am a hard working, trustworthy, confident, kind, very smiley, easy going, and creative individual, plus I love working with children. I have varying experience of childcare with children from newborn to 15 years old through jobs such as Au Pairing, House Parenting at boarding schools, teaching and babysitting.

I like to keep busy and active, and I am involved in projects with Dundee University’s Save the Children Charity, School of Education Society and odd events throughout the academic year with the University and local Dundee primary schools. I believe that there is always something to learn from everything that occurs and children should be allowed to explore new ideas and activities. I love to be creative and I previously built a fairyland in the attic for the children to play in with the help of their mum. Things that get them imagining and excited are really important to me because I believe that we now live in a society where fun and imaginative play can be lost as children are forced to grow up quick. Something which I see quite a lot on placement in schools.

Before starting my degree, I was an Au Pair for a family in Berlin, Germany. The family consisted of an 8 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old and a newborn. It was a hands full at times but it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Every day was filled with new joys, laughter and happiness, of course, with some hardships too but overall I had an amazing experience. I would consider them my second family, and I am part of theirs however, with distance and busy schedules, I don’t get to visit as often as I wish I could. This also allows me to have experience in providing snacks and meals if required and also maintain general house keeping, or tend to any little bumps or scrapes.

I have previously experience of being a house parent for Bede’s International Boarding School over summer breaks, and I plan on returning this year once more. In my job role, I would aim to ensure that I built a caring, friendly and positive atmosphere for students on site and in house, which they lived in during their period at camp, under the supervision of myself and other staff members. This could consist of up to 60 students in the house over the course of a week, and I would be in charge of insuring that rules were in place and behavioural issues were dealt with. A typical day began with waking up the students, making sure they all got up and made their way to breakfast. During breakfast and lunch, I was on duty in the dining room supervising the queue, servery and dining areas, or if a student was ill I would be looking after them in the house.

During the morning and early afternoon, when students were in class, I would be walking around campus ensuring I was showing a presence around the campus, liaising with the Welfare Manager and nurse or undertaking general duties relating to students’ safety, welfare and well-being. Then in the afternoon activities sessions, I would take part in the activities helping to assist the Activities staff whilst focusing on welfare and well-being issues, once a week I would take my own activity sessions such as sports, arts or music sessions on site. At night, I would be in charge of ensuring all children were in bed by the time allocated and asleep. If needed children were shown where my bedroom was and they could knock and alert me to any issues they may have. Over the course of the day, there would be 3 registers taken to ensure children were on site and accounted for.

In both of these jobs I had to make sure I was paying attention to all the finer details of what was happening to the children whilst they were in my care, as they were my responsibility. Other jobs include school teaching through university placements and volunteering, babysitting for family members and also teaching at Edinburgh zoo. Through my various jobs I have gained over 4 years childcare experience and therefore can adapt and provide a wide variety of activities appropriate to individual needs.

I live in an apartment very close to the university with 3 other trainee primary school teachers, so our flat is a very fun and educational based place.

Please do not hesitate to contact me personally- should you require childcare, even if at short notice, I will be happy to come and meet you and your family.