Amanda Baker
Hythe, Southampton,Hampshire
Summary
Level 5 qualified in Early years education, experienced SENDCO with 12 years of expertise in inclusive education principles and a child-centred approach. Proficient in paediatric first aid, literacy promotion, and early numeracy development. Skilled in managing transitions, providing constructive feedback, and recording observations to enhance childcare practices. Committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment through a deep understanding of EYFS and dedicated to promoting the holistic development of children.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Early years practitioner/Deputy manager cover/SEND
Applemore Early Years Centre
Dibden, Southampton, Hampshire
2020.02 - Current
- Conducted interactive circle time sessions to boost confidence levels amongst shy children.
- Provided emotional support to distressed children, ensuring a comforting environment.
- Arranged nursery room according to activity needs, maximising space usage efficiently.
- Prepared nutritious snacks and meals to promote healthy eating habits among children.SE
- Managed SEN department effectively whilst maintaining high standards of care and support for pupils.
- Streamlined communication between teachers, parents and outside professionals resulting in more coordinated efforts towards meeting students' needs.
- Fostered increased parent engagement in child's education through regular communication and meetings.
- Worked closely with parents to devise home learning strategies, improving overall student performance.
- Oversaw annual reviews of Education Health Care Plans, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance to statutory requirements.
- Coordinated with teaching staff to create individual learning plans, enhancing educational outcomes for all pupils.
Hairdresser
Cape n comb
Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire
2019.03 - 2020.02
- Performed routine stock checks, ensuring sufficient supplies at all times.
- Conducted comprehensive client consultations to tailor services to individual needs.
- Utilised specialised tools for precision cutting, resulting in detailed hairstyles.
- Offered advice on hair care products to boost sales.
Early Years Deputy manager
Pinecones Day nursery
Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
2018.01 - 2019.03
- Oversaw project execution, ensuring timelines were met efficiently.
- Supervised team members for optimal task completion.
- Managed daily operations for smooth running of the office.
- Enforced company policies for a safe and productive work environment.
- Provided guidance to junior staff, fostering professional growth and development.
- Encouraged social development with group play and interaction.
- Responded quickly during emergencies or accidents, guaranteeing child safety at all times.
- Implemented creative play activities for enhancing children's imaginative abilities.
- Prepared nutritious snacks and meals to promote healthy eating habits among children.
- Conducted interactive circle time sessions to boost confidence levels amongst shy children.
- Accompanied small groups on outings or field trips for enriching practical learning experiences.
- Developed children's language skills by organising regular storytelling sessions.
- Followed health and safety guidelines meticulously, maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Built strong rapport with parents during pick-up and drop-off times encouraging open communication about child's progress.
- Fostered parent-child relationships through regular communication about progress and concerns.
- Arranged nursery room according to activity needs, maximising space usage efficiently.
- Enhanced learning outcomes with implementation of early years foundation stage curriculum.
- Assisted in the planning of outdoor activities, promoting physical fitness in children.
- Provided emotional support to distressed children, ensuring a comforting environment.
- Integrated new students into the existing groups smoothly reducing separation anxiety.
- Ensured cleanliness of play areas after each use, maintaining high hygiene standards at all times.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues whilst preparing reports on each child's development.
- Observed and recorded child behaviour to identify developmental issues.
- Facilitated educational games to improve cognitive abilities in young learners.
- Dealt swiftly with challenging behaviour, ensuring minimal disruption to daily routine.
- Served as Key Person for [Number]+ children.
Admin/Practitioner
Milford Pre-School Plus
Lymington, Hampshire
2017.04 - 2018.01
- In this role I was mostly office based, assisting the manager with administration of running the Pre-school. My role included, approving observations for Tapestry, ensuring 2 years checks ,baseline assessments are completed, assisting with tracking development of all children, arranging dates for new starters, home visits. I was in ratio one day a week and also 3 of our after school club sessions and holiday club when needed.
- Worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary team members leading to improved patient care.
- Implemented daily routines for children, providing structure and consistency in their day.
- Enhanced children's social development by organising group activities.
- Created engaging learning opportunities by developing educational games and crafts.
- Worked closely with colleagues to ensure smooth running of childcare setting, demonstrating teamwork skills.
- Supported early literacy development with regular story time sessions and phonics activities.
- Handled minor injuries or illnesses calmly and professionally whilst contacting parents promptly if required.
- Accompanied children on outings to local parks or trips further afield, expanding their experiences beyond the childcare setting itself.
- Managed challenging behaviour in a calm, patient manner, promoting positive interactions between peers.
- Encouraged independence amongst the children by guiding them towards self-care tasks such as dressing themselves or tidying up toys after playtime.
- Negotiated conflicts between children fairly and effectively resulting in peaceful resolutions.
- Participated in training courses to enhance knowledge of child development and safeguarding practices.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, ensuring a cohesive approach to child care.
- Observed individual progress of each child under my care; shared observations during meetings with parents.
- Ensured safety for all children through careful supervision and structured environment.
- Provided emotional support to children experiencing difficulties, fostering resilience and self-confidence.
- Promoted healthy eating habits amongst children by preparing nutritious meals and snacks.
- Maintained clean, safe play areas for the enjoyment of all children in care.
- Prepared teaching materials for various age groups according to curriculum requirements.
- Greeted parents, responded to enquiries and provided information regarding childcare program.
- Submitted written reports to parents regarding progress and development of children.
- Supported children's development with learning-through-play activities, aiding social, emotional and educational growth.
- Communicated daily observations with guardians, maintaining detailed development records.
- Documented learning and development milestones of children to determine progress and growth.
- Practised safety and hygiene protocols by maintaining clean work environment.
- Adhered to policies and procedures and legislative requirements relating to child care.
- Gave direct instructions to manage behaviour, maintaining positive learning environments.
- Developed strong alliances and communication with staff, parents and carers to manage early learning needs.
- Participated in staff meetings to gather more information and updates.
- Demonstrated professionalism and compassion to support best practices and quality standards.
- Employed a friendly approach to enhance communication and build rapport with children with various difficulties.
Room Supervisor
Little Gardners Nursery
Southampton
2016.02 - 2017.04
- I was the room supervisor of the nursery room for children aged 3 months to 2 years 9 months. I am a key person, I work with and support a team of 8 staff to provide care and learning opportunities for all the children. I am the SENCO in the room, working with parents and outside agencies.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.
- Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.
Practitioner- SENCO
Jack and Jill's Pre-school
Southampton
2005.10 - 2016.02
- I enjoyed working at a keyperson and became the SENCO in 2013. I planned activities for my key group and as a team we planned for the day to day activities in the setting. As my role as SENCO, I worked closely with parents and outside agencies to provide individual education plans for children.
- Integrated new students into the existing groups smoothly reducing separation anxiety.
- Responded quickly during emergencies or accidents, guaranteeing child safety at all times.
- Arranged nursery room according to activity needs, maximising space usage efficiently.
- Provided emotional support to distressed children, ensuring a comforting environment.
- Accompanied small groups on outings or field trips for enriching practical learning experiences.
- Ensured cleanliness of play areas after each use, maintaining high hygiene standards at all times.
- Assisted in the planning of outdoor activities, promoting physical fitness in children.
- Followed health and safety guidelines meticulously, maintaining a safe environment for children.
- Prepared nutritious snacks and meals to promote healthy eating habits among children.
- Built strong rapport with parents during pick-up and drop-off times encouraging open communication about child's progress.
Parent
me
1995.06 - 2005.10
- I am a mother of 4 children, now 31, 28, 26 and 24. Whilst my children attended Jack and Jill's pre-school, I became an active member of the committee, often staying and playing to support ratios, this then became a casual work position. I became the chairperson in 2004 for 1 year, before being offered a permanent position. When my children started at Hythe Primary school, I joined the PTA, helping to organise the various fundraising ventures.
Hair Stylist/Receptionist
Scissor Style
Southampton
1989.12 - 1995.06
- Initially I completed my training at Scissor Style, progressing up to salon manager in the Shirley salon, a chain of 3 salons.
Education
Foundation degree - Childhood studies
Winchester university
Winchester 2013.09 - 2016.06
NVQ level 2 - Hairdressing
Raymonds Hairdressing College
Southampton 1989.09 - 1991.08
GCSE's - English Language and Literature, Maths, Modular Science, Physical Education, Textiles, Home Economics, Geography
Hardley Secondary School
Holbury, Soouthampton 1987.11 - 1989.07
Skills
- SENDCO (12 years)
- Paediatric first aid
- Literacy promotion
- Early numeracy promoting
- Constructive feedback giving
- Managing transitions
- EYFS understanding
- Child-Centred approach
- Observation recording
- Childcare expertise
- Inclusive education principles
Certification
- Safeguarding level 2 completed every year
- Enhanced DBS on update service
- Foundation Degree early childhood education 2016
- Cache Diploma Level 3 in Pre School Practice 2010 Grade A
- Cache Level 2 in Pre-school Practice January 2008 Distinction
- Paediatric First Aid every 3 years
- Level 2 in Food Safety in Catering
- Health and Safety
- Manual handling
- Mental Health awareness
- FGM
- Thomas Training December 2015
- Five Day Self-Evaluation on the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R and ITERS-R) March 2013
- SENCO induction February 2013
- Understanding Schemas in Promoting Children's Learning October 2008
Training
- The Makaton Vocabulary Development Project - Foundation Workshop June 2006 to Present
- I have also attended an advanced taster in Makaton in 2013
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- I have also attended numerous professional development courses and have certificates from 2006-present. I am currently working in a nursery as 'baby room supervisor', where I have been for the past year. Previously, I worked in a pre-school for over 10 years as a practitioner, becoming the SENCO in 2013.
- Before this I was a stay at home mum for my four children, now 21, 19, 16 and 15. This is where I found my passion for early education and I was often a parent helper at their pre-school (where I was eventually employed), also being an active member of the pre-school committee, becoming the chair person in 2004-2005.
- When my children started school, I also became an active member of the PTA, helping and organising fundraising events.
Affiliations
- I enjoy walking in the New Forest with my partner and our children and grand children, looking at the different birds and nature.
- I enjoy growing vegetables and gardening, things really do taste better.
- We love going to Spain, to our apartment an also to visit my mum.
Timeline
Early years practitioner/Deputy manager cover/SEND
Applemore Early Years Centre
2020.02 - Current
Hairdresser
Cape n comb
2019.03 - 2020.02
Early Years Deputy manager
Pinecones Day nursery
2018.01 - 2019.03
Admin/Practitioner
Milford Pre-School Plus
2017.04 - 2018.01
Room Supervisor
Little Gardners Nursery
2016.02 - 2017.04
Foundation degree - Childhood studies
Winchester university
2013.09 - 2016.06
Practitioner- SENCO
Jack and Jill's Pre-school
2005.10 - 2016.02
Parent
me
1995.06 - 2005.10
Hair Stylist/Receptionist
Scissor Style
1989.12 - 1995.06
NVQ level 2 - Hairdressing
Raymonds Hairdressing College
1989.09 - 1991.08
GCSE's - English Language and Literature, Maths, Modular Science, Physical Education, Textiles, Home Economics, Geography
Hardley Secondary School
1987.11 - 1989.07