Ellie

My Summary

My Experience

I’ve recently started work as lunch cover at a Montessori school in the classroom for ages 3-6. I’m really loving it, and seeing all the ways the children are independent is amazing.

I was an au pair in France for nearly a year. I took care of a 3-year-old and a 3-month-old during my gap year. I worked 25-30 hours a week. I was responsible for the children for up to 14 hours at a time, sometimes during the night. I meal-prepped vegetarian meals for them (I’m not comfortable around meat), read stories, and created activities to develop fine motor skills, language development, and arts and crafts. I baked with the kids, went on walks, got the older child ready for school in the mornings, put the kids to bed, gave them a bath, and helped at mealtimes. My compassion and patience developed further, and I improved my skills in multitasking, adaptability, and problem-solving.

I helped look after a 6-year-old autistic child 1-2 hours a week for 5 months. I’d play with her, sing songs, and provide snacks.

For 3 months, I babysat a 3-year-old boy with a speech delay a couple of hours a week. I engaged him in activities and songs to try to help him develop fine motor and play skills to aid his language and communication development. I also often took him on walks and spent time in the park.

For two months over a summer, I was bank staff at a nursery and a holiday club for up to 12s. I helped supervise and run activities for the children, read stories, and sung songs.

I have had many placements and work experience in different school settings (a total of 8 weeks). In a mainstream school, I had 1 week in a reception class and 2 weeks in a year 5 class. I had 2 weeks in a SEN key stage 1 class, and I will soon have 3 weeks in a Montessori Children’s House (ages 3-6). During these times, I have read stories, helped children stuck on problems in their work, encouraged engagement, prepared materials and activities, and prepared a lesson using visual and physical material aids. I will have given presentations of different Montessori materials, practiced the skill of observing where a child is at, and responding to their needs. I’ve gained so much from these experiences; I’ve seen so many different kids and observed how your approach with one kid is not gonna work the same with the next. I learnt how important it is to be flexible as every day with children is so different.

I volunteered at a community hub for about 9 months for an hour a week with the craft club for children of all ages, chatting and guiding them through different crafts.

I was a Maths tutor for 6 months, tutoring a year 8 and GCSE student. I adapted my teaching approach and helped break down concepts to guide their learning.

I have babysat for a family friend's daughter from the ages of 1-4 years of age.

In sixth form, I started my own well-being club, helped out in younger years' lessons, and became a peer mentor.

I volunteered for charities that ran activities and clubs for children of all ages with Special Educational Needs (Cheshire Buddies and Friends for Leisure) for about a year and a half. I met and got to know young people with disabilities, interacting with them, looking out for them, creating connections, and encouraging engagement in activities. I learnt how communication can take on different forms and became more flexible and creative in my approach and problem-solving. I also gained a greater understanding and awareness of different disabilities.

My Qualifications

I am halfway through a degree in Montessori Pedagogy with AMI (ages 3-6 training) and Early years educator qualification.
8 GCSE’s grades 6-9, Maths (9), English (6), Health & Social (Distinction)
A-levels- Art (A), Psychology (B), Maths (C)
DBS check
First aid training with a Charity a few years ago and recently did a short online course for paediatric first aid
Online short course in safeguarding and autism awareness

My Availability

I’m available 20th June- till end of August.

I work at a Montessori school as lunch cover on Wednesdays (until 15th July) and volunteer at the library running Montessori info discussion sessions for parents Friday mornings from 3rd July- 7th August.

Dates not available: 2nd July & 17th-19th July

My Fees

• Babysitting from £11.00 per hour