Bethany Grundy

I am in my third and final year at university. while studying at university I have worked with children from 3-11. For my first and second year I was placed in EYFS and in my third year I have been in KS1. While on school placement I have:

• Built strong rapport with pupils, parents and staff members.
• Fostered a positive learning environment.
• Improved classroom management skills with hands-on experience.
• Aligned lesson objectives with national curriculum standards for comprehensive coverage of topics and collaborated with teachers to do this.
• Observed lead teacher's classes, enhanced pedagogical knowledge and skill set.
• Created engaging visual aids for clearer lesson delivery.
• Worked with teachers to uphold behaviour management policies.
• Created lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
• Covered primary teacher absences and PPA.
• Supported students with various learning difficulties to understand key concepts in core subjects.
• Ensured safety and wellbeing of students with regular risk assessments.
• Managed classroom effectively to maintain engagement and focus.

I had been at Early Start Nurseries for nearly three years. I was on a zero hour contact and went in quite often. Over the three years I worked in the baby room, toddler room and preschool room. I went in and covered practitioners but also would cover room leaders.

I was a room leader for four months in the preschool room where I would lead the other practitioners in the room, plan weekly and work in partnership with the parents.

While working I had many responsibilities such as:

• Developed children's language skills by organising regular storytelling sessions.
• Implemented creative play activities for enhancing children's imaginative abilities.
• Used arts and crafts activities to encourage self-expression.
• Created safe and stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Used phonics to build reading and writing skills.
• Planned for the three prime and four specific areas.
• Facilitated group activities during lessons which promoted team-work amongst students.
• Supported children's development with learning-through-play activities, aiding social, emotional and educational growth.
• Adapted activities to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
• Dealt swiftly with challenging behaviour, ensuring minimal disruption to daily routine.
• Ensured cleanliness of play areas after each use, maintaining high hygiene standards at all times.
• Completed daily observations on the children.
• Managed and administered medications and minor first aid treatments, prioritising child safety and wellbeing.
• Implemented Safeguarding Procedures to monitor and protect children.
• Managed classroom behaviour through positive reinforcement.
• Worked collaboratively with colleagues to plan and support the children.
• Fostered positive relationships with colleagues to create a supportive educational atmosphere.
• Built positive relationships with families, enhancing trust in care provisions.

While studying at college, I had to complete 750 placement hours. I completed over a 1000 hours from the ages of 0-7.

For the first year and a half of college I was placed in reception, year one and year two where I;

• Assisted the teacher in completing daily tasks for example, sticking in, photocopying, writing titles and dates in the children's books.
• Provided friendly, enthusiastic support to pupils in individual and group support settings.
• Built trusting, respectful relationships with pupils through attentive listening and communication abilities.
• Helped the children with their maths, literacy and topic learning.
• Conducted regular reading sessions promoting literacy amongst young learners.
• Supervised the children during break times further ensuring their safety while on school premises.
• Provided special attention to students with learning difficulties for better inclusion in class activities.
• Created positive, engaging learning environments to improve student experiences.
• Developed and maintained positive, impactful relationships with students, facilitating improved learning outcomes.
• Observed children during social interactions and encouraged positive choices for minimising and resolving conflicts.

In my second year I was in a private nursery with children aged 0-5 where I;

• Provided emotional support to distressed children, ensuring a comforting environment.
• Followed health and safety guidelines meticulously, maintaining a safe environment for children.
• Assisted in the planning of outdoor activities, promoting physical fitness in children.
• Helped children learn numeracy skills using counting games.