Holly

My Summary

My Experience

My experience with childcare began when I was 13, I started supporting my mother, as she was a lone parent with the care of my newborn and 13 month old sisters. Following from this I began babysitting both my sisters and for other families in the neighbourhood.
While studying at college, I volunteered two full days a week in a Special School in the Walsall area. While doing this I gained experience with children who have a variety of different needs and learned how to adapt dat to day and educational activities - big or small - to increase each child's inclusion.

Following this, I studied through an apprenticeship in a day nursery in Lichfield where I gained my Level 2 Children and Young Peoples Workforce qualification. I worked in the large preschool room - at our busiest I was responsible for 14 key children, my role to observe, track and monitor each child's development on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Through this I could identify areas that each child was thriving and in any area they were struggling I could plan targeted activities based on their interests to support that area of development.

Once my Apprenticeship ended at the nursery, I took on a Mothers Help role. In the role of Nanny/Mothers help, I had mostly sole charge but sometimes shared charge of 16 month old twins and occasional shared charge of their older 3 year old brother.
I worked mainly with the twins supporting their strict routine, due to their personal care needs my timekeeping was key as we had to be home for certain times for feeds. While working with this family I regularly prepared and cooked meals for the entire family and supported them with household chores such as laundry, tidying toys and general tidying around. I bathed all 3 children each day and ensured all outfits and nightclothes were prepared. I maintained contacts with similar aged children to engage in social activities for the sole purpose of the childrens development. I tracked and assessed their development based on the EYFS and always suggested to parents where the children should be and how to support them to meet milestones. We went on many trips to the park, library and classes/baby groups. I sometimes accompanied the family on family outings including museums, theme parks, shopping trips, family parties and dinners.

Following this, I took on a role for a family who ran a busy pub, I took sole charge of 4 lovely children aged 14 months to 8 years. As their ages and interests were so varied it was important to ensure my activities could be adapted in diverse ways to benefit all children. I spent the most time with the youngest 2 children who weren’t yet school age so I took them to classes and playdates but my main priority was to teach them to gain independence in tasks and to begin to socialise, ultimately learning how to play.
My priorities with the older children was learning about the local environment including road safety, stranger danger and nurturing their creativity and exploratory impulses in many ways. I cooked meals for the children and ensure all homework is completed. We did many fun activities that included but weren’t limited to swimming, trips to the park, nature walks and trips to local museums and libraries. I based all of my activities on the children’s interests and had long term and short-term plans for what we would do next based on their changing interests. I worked very flexibly for this family accepting shifts with short term notice and varying from 7am starts to 10pm finishes!

I was also an ABA Tutor for a young boy with a statement of Special Educational Needs. In this role I planned and delivered sessions in the home to a young boy with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I use my knowledge of ABA to support the child to meet their targets using the learning style that appeals most. I support them in educational activities and more fun activities which help the child to apply their knowledge to the outside world. I support the child’s personal hygiene and feeding routines as these are important to be done correctly while the child’s independence is building.
I then took on an ABA role in the school of the child. I was still under the direction of the child’s ABA consultant and helped to support his education while enabling him to access the activities available in mainstream school. I used my knowledge of ABA to support the child to meet their targets using the learning style that appeals most. I supported them in educational activities and more fun activities which helped the child to apply their knowledge to the outside world. I support the child’s personal hygiene and feeding routines as these are important to be done correctly while the child’s independence is building. I left this role due to my personal and ethical views on this type of tutoring for the child.

I was more recently a part time nanny to one baby in the Walsall area working ad-hoc hours.

I have also recently worked within a nursery in Sutton Coldfield, taking responsibility for the running of a toddler room.

During my first year of university I supported in a busy reception class which I thoroughly enjoyed though I have returned to nursery work for year 2 studies!

Besides my most recent work, I have almost 15 years experience supporting young children's development in different forms from babysitting for many families to caring for my younger sisters from birth as my mom is a single parent and suffered post-natal depression. I love engaging children in play and activities that are based on the EYFS and have good knowledge of key milestones to expect children to meet.

I believe that child led playing and exploring is the most effective way to educate young children and this is primarily how I work. I use the children's key interests and guide them to develop using these.

Through my experience I have learnt a lot about communication and creating good trusting bonds with parents of the children I have cared for. One parent has told me that she prefers me to look after her children over her own family.

Some of the families I have cared for and babysat for have had children with complex needs which I have catered for by learning the families routine quickly and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Please see below a list of qualifications, skills and experience:
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Level 2 qualification in Children and Young Peoples Workforce
Level 3 paediatric first aid
Level 1 safeguarding qualification.
High scope best practices - this is a child led approach to childcare which identifies and builds on children's strengths, interests and abilities.
Behaviour management - built on the high scope values, I ensure children are aware of what they are doing and why they are doing the right or wrong thing and encourage them to make the correct choices.
Prevent - anti-terrorism safeguarding
Food Hygiene
Allergen training - How to identify allergens in food and prevent and treat allergic reactions
Forest School
Level 2 Introduction to Nannying
Level 2 Female Genital Mutilation Awareness
Level 2 ADHD Awareness
Level 2 Improving Childrens Learning Through Play
Level 2 Child Protection
Level 2 Concussion Awareness

Please view my reviews from families I have worked with, I can also provide many excellent references if necessary.

My Qualifications

Level 3 Early Years Educator
Level 1 Safeguarding
Level 2 Children and Young People's Workforce
Level 2 Child Protection
Level 2 Concussion Awareness
Level 2 Female Genital Mutilation Awareness
Level 2 ADHD Awareness
Level 2 Improving Childrens Learning Through Play
Level 3 Paedicatric first aid

My Availability

My Fees

• Babysitting from £15.00 per hour

My fees are negotiable within reason