Marianne

About Me

I love the challenge of childcare and that it's a job in which no two days are the same.

My approach is to provide a secure, nurturing and stimulating environment with a developmental focus which honours the fact that in the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections form every second and aims to give children the best start in the four main domains of development.
I focus on developing bonds through attuned, emotionally available, responsive interaction based on genuine positive regard while modelling appropriate social behaviours and utilising praise as positive reinforcement.

With a genuine love of children as well as a love of learning, I model this enthusiastic, embodied approach to finding out that sparks creativity and imagination by helping children discover through play.
Self-motivated and creative, I utilise music, art, movement, reading and child-led discussion to provide a holistic approach to treating every day as the learning opportunity that it is.

I have an ongoing interest in nutrition and am an experienced cook
I offer maintenance of all aspects of children’s daily needs including preparing food, tidying up and laundry, as well as preparing activities for children according to parental specifications.

I have read many journals and books on child development and learning theory.
A sample of some stand out concepts that inform my approach:
- Dewey’s focus on experiential learning, active engagement and immersion.
- John Anderson’s cognitive constructivist perspective that promotes discovery and the process of acquiring thinking strategies rather than absorbing bits of information.
- Bandura on the importance of focusing on self motivation and self efficacy.
- McIlnerny and McKlindon’s ideas on forming positive bonds with children - ‘maintaining high expectations’ while ‘building trust’ and showing ‘unconditional positive regard’.
- Carol Dweck’s ideas on encouraging a ‘growth mindset’.
- Gilbert Ryle’s distinction between teaching a child to ‘know that’ and teaching toward ‘knowing how’ to use and do things with that knowledge.
- Regarding behaviour, ‘Connections Over Compliance’ Lori Desautels by as well as Paul Dix’ argument that the state of mind of the adult is key to positive behavioural outcomes.
- Studies revealing that intrinsic motivation is much stronger than extrinsic motivation, and that praise is the only form of extrinsic motivation that has long term positive effects.
- Research showing the importance of eye contact and communication in newborn and infant development and that infants cannot learn how to talk via screens.

My interests are utilised in creating stimulating activities for the children. These include reading, painting, hiking and yoga, learning languages and teaching myself the guitar and ukulele.
I speak some conversational Spanish.