Nicola Parsons
Bridgend,County Borough of Bridgend
Summary
I am an enthusiastic Learning Support Officer (Level 3) with 22 years of experience working with children aged 0–8 years. I am passionate about promoting learning through play and supporting positive child development. I work diligently to ensure child safeguarding in a secure and happy environment. I am hardworking, kind, punctual, and possess excellent time management skills. I am team-focused and strive to be a positive role model for both children and colleagues.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Schools learning support officer
Bridgend County Borough Council
Bridgend, County Borough of Bridgend
2026.01 - Current
- Supported classroom teachers by preparing lesson materials ahead of time, enhancing instructional efficiency.
- Contributed to maintaining safe environment during lunch breaks and other non-classroom settings leading to reduced accidents on school premises.
- Assisted in literacy development activities which improved reading skills among slow learners.
- Helped coordinated after-school programmes, extending learning opportunities for interested students.
- Liaised frequently with teachers, improving communication channels and ensuring student success.
- Maintained child safety, security and good behaviour during classroom and outdoor activities.
Teachers Assistant
Apollo Teaching Services
Bridgend, County Borough of Bridgend
2024.09 - 2026.02
- Assisted teachers with lesson planning, resulting in well-structured classes.
- Prepared classroom materials for effective teaching sessions.
- Managed classroom behaviour effectively, fostering a conducive learning atmosphere.
- Provided support to special needs students for improved integration into mainstream classes.
- Offered one-on-one assistance to struggling learners; improved their understanding of complex topics.
- Conducted reading sessions with small groups; enhanced literacy skills amongst pupils.
Nursery nurse
Bridgend College Day Nursery
Bridgend
2003.08 - 2024.08
- Ensuring all children's needs are met, creating a safe and warm environment for children to learn and play in.
- Provided kind, encouraging environments for children to learn and explore, aiding educational and social development.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with parents, carers and nursery staff.
- Digital paperwork - children's records, scanning their information on to the Drive, making sure all information is correct and secure.
- Maintained records of children's daily activities, meals and medications administered.
- Wrote up observations reports, monitoring children's progress and development.
- Closely monitored child wellbeing, regularly updating parents to assure continued safety and security.
- Passionately promoted learning through play for optimum child development.
- Set up equipment and materials ahead of recreational activities.
- Supervised indoor and outdoor play, providing first aid as necessary.
- Helped children with personal hygiene needs and taught young children to independently complete care tasks.
- Created and maintained welcoming, safe and tidy space to promote children's development.
- Developed positive, trusting relationships with groups of young children.
- Worked with a large team to complete daily tasks to schedule.
- Child referral - following the new ALN Bill.
Shop assistant
Donnay
Bridgend
2002.09 - 2024.03
- Organised stock and checkout area proactively between serving customers to maintain orderly shop floor.
- Shelved and merchandised new products in visually appealing, organised displays to engage customers.
- Guided customers to locate products or alternative items.
- Completed purchases with cash, credit and debit payment methods, providing customer receipts for reference.
Education
Cache Diploma in Child Care and Education level 3 - Child Care
Bridgend College of Further Education
Bridgend 2002.09 - 2005.09
Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Swimming ASA -
Halo Leisure Centre
Bridgend 2007.10 - 2007.10
Level 1 Certificate for IT Practitioners - IT
Bridgend College of Further Education
Bridgend 2007.09 - 2008.09
Level 2 Key skills in Problem solving - Problem Solving
Bridgend College of Further Education
Bridgend 2004.05 - 2004.05
Level 2 Key skills in Communication - Communication
Bridgend College of Further Education
Bridgend 2004.05 - 2004.05
GCSEs - GCSE's
Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School
Bridgend 1997.09 - 2002.06
Skills
- Team player
- Loyal and dependable and kind
- Problem Solving
- Supporting Child development
- Basic Welsh
- Strong Work Ethic
- Compassionate early-years care
- Dedicated hard-worker
Accomplishments
Beach Lifeguards Award 2003
Pool lifeguard Award 2003.
Tang Soo Do (Karate) 2018 Black Belt (Midnight Blue)
Training
I'm constantly developing my training though courses that relates to my job:
- Trauma informed training
Hobbies
Swimming was my hobby for all of my childhood, I went to multiple galas and raced for Wales. I went on to Beach Lifeguard racing which lead me to race for Wales and Great Britain. I felt it gave me a lot of skill sets which would aid me when I would go on to work with children.
Tang Soo Do 2010-2020 I felt it offered me both physical and mental benefits whilst also building my discipline, honour and respect. I progressed through the gradings with determination, ultimately achieving my Black Belt (Midnight Blue). For many years, I supported teaching groups of children and adults at lower levels during training sessions. It was incredibly rewarding to assist students in preparing for their gradings, bringing me a strong sense of pride and fulfilment in helping them succeed.
Since summer 2024, I have actively participated in rounders, enhancing my teamwork, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills while learning to communicate effectively and support team goals.
References
Lisa Dobbs
Email - ledobbs@bridgend.ac.uk
Joanna James
Email - joanne.james@haloleisure.org.uk
Timeline
Schools learning support officer
Bridgend County Borough Council
2026.01 - Current
Teachers Assistant
Apollo Teaching Services
2024.09 - 2026.02
Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Swimming ASA -
Halo Leisure Centre
2007.10 - 2007.10
Level 1 Certificate for IT Practitioners - IT
Bridgend College of Further Education
2007.09 - 2008.09
Level 2 Key skills in Problem solving - Problem Solving
Bridgend College of Further Education
2004.05 - 2004.05
Level 2 Key skills in Communication - Communication
Bridgend College of Further Education
2004.05 - 2004.05
Nursery nurse
Bridgend College Day Nursery
2003.08 - 2024.08
Shop assistant
Donnay
2002.09 - 2024.03
Cache Diploma in Child Care and Education level 3 - Child Care
Bridgend College of Further Education
2002.09 - 2005.09
GCSEs - GCSE's
Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School
1997.09 - 2002.06