Bláthnaid Crilly
Newtown St Boswells
Summary
I qualified as a teacher 30 years ago. I see Teaching as a Vocation and a Caring Profession. Children and their families have been at the heart of everything I have done and I get great joy and satisfaction from enabling children to achieve and succeed to the best of their own ability. In recent years, my role was taking me further and further from a hands on approach, hence my reason to give up Teaching and become a Relief Early Years Practitioner. I have been looking for other areas in which to transfer my skills and Cornerstone Community Hub looks to fit that bill. Teamwork, person-centred approaches, valuing individual needs and interests, using initiative to develop stimulating experiences, involving families and carers as integral parts of the service are all elements I value highly when working with children and young people.
My Mother has Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. I took time off work to return to Ireland as her full time Carer and also moved her to The Borders for both Covid lockdowns. I was responsible for all aspects for her personal care, ensuring her medical needs were being met and that she had the full and meaning social life that she so relished. Mistakes were made but lessons were learned and I feel extremely privileged to have had those years with her, years and newly found skills that I feel will be invaluable in the role of a Support Practitioner within the Cornerstone Community and Family.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Relief Early Years Practitioner (EYP)
Scottish Borders Council (SBC)
Newtown St Boswells
08.2022 - Current
- Liaise with EYPs to gather key information re children and key learning objectives for the day.
- Model good practise when interacting with children, promoting safe, fun and engaging learning experiences.
- Observe children's learning and report back to setting EYPs.
- Reinforce positive behaviour and follow setting guidelines on Zones of Regulation
Early Years Teacher (EYT)
SBC
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Part of a very strong and experienced EYT team, sharing skills and expertise to develop a shared understanding of Quality Early Years education, ensuring knowledge is up to date with Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate documentation, policies and procedures, including the Health and Social Care Standards as relevant.
- Supported EYPs in the School and Private sector to plan for and deliver high quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs of all, promoting a child-centred approach.
- Developed EYP skills in Quality Interactions with children, through staff training and modelling of good practice.
- Developed EYP skills in the areas of Observation, Key Questioning and how to identify and record key learning and next steps, through staff training and modelling of good practice.
- Worked closely with Early Years Officer (EYO) to ensure all policies and procedures are up to date in line with Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate guidelines and Standards.
- Collaborated with EYOs and SMTs during the COVID years to ensure Care Inspectorate Self-evaluations were accurately recorded, reviewed and updated on a regular basis ensuring a safe environment for children and staff.
- Liaised with school SMT to ensure sound understanding of Good EYs practice and that all audits and self-evaluations were up to date.
- Kept clear records of all visits to settings, identifying good practice and areas for development.
- Collaborated with EYT Team to create the Early Years Portal which is an SBC online resource with training packages, key documents, examples of good practice in all areas of EYs provision.
- Collaborated with colleague to create and deliver a training package on best practice for 2 Year olds. Available on the Early Years Portal.
EYT
SBC
08.2015 - 12.2017
- Roles and responsibilities as written in above section.
- Kept clear, concise and detailed records of visit for each setting, identifying good practice and areas for development.
- Collaborated with colleagues to produce a charter with Vision, Values and Aims of a newly created Early Years Teacher Team which would strive to ensure High Quality Early Years education across the Scottish Borders.
- A strong team member with creative ideas, able to use own initiative as well as work successfully with others, discussing, debating and sharing knowledge and expertise.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
- Used Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Publisher to create documents, training packages and clear communications.
- With colleagues, identified areas of development for EYPs, creating and delivering CPD training packages, initially in person and laterally online, specifically: Creating a Quality Environment and Developing Literacy at Early Level
- Liaised with colleagues from Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate to ensure sound knowledge of documentation, how to effectively observe, identify good practise, record, grade and feed back to settings, identifying areas of development to take forwards.
- Kept up to date CPD record completing compulsory SBC training and other packages relevant to developing personal skills and areas of development identified by the EYT team, personal development needs and also identified by line managers through the PRD process.
Nursery Teacher Knowepark Primary School
SBC
Selkirk
08.2012 - 08.2015
- Responsible for the planning and implementation of a fun, creative, engaging curriculum and learning experiences that met the needs of all children aged 3-5 years.
- Led a 4 person team, ensuring Practitioners had a sound understanding of Curriculum for Excellence and Building the Ambition, having a shared approach towards planning, resourcing, observing and recording of learning experiences.
- Encouraged EYPs to take on areas of responsibility within the curriculum, signposting to relevant training and supporting implementation of their ideas. Regularly encouraged reflection and self-evaluation.
- Modelled good interactions and effective questioning to take forwards children's interests in a Child -centred approach to learning.
- Collaborated with parents, caregivers and outside agencies to support children's individual needs and ensure a multi-disciplinary approach
- Introduced a new Forest Nursery initiative in a local woodland. We were the first school nursery to have full, weekly sessions in the woods. This involved leading an information evening and creating a PowerPoint presentation for Parents/Carers to highlight the importance and benefits of outdoor learning.
- Forest Nursery relied heavily on parents volunteers and highlights the strong partnerships we nurtured and developed with families.
- Responsible for clear record keeping, reporting to parents and keeping up to date self-evaluations to improve practice.
- Self-evaluation for Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate visits was a whole Team approach with contributions from children and families.
- Successfully led a whole team approach to regularly updating setting policies and procedures, risk assessments, Vision Values and Aims with contributions from children and families.
- Participated in all school staff meetings and training opportunities.
- Worked closely with P1 colleagues to create a smooth and efficient Transition Programme from Nursery to P1.
- Kept CPD record and held certificates in Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene.
- Mentored students from the local college and Edinburgh University: supervising course work, guiding through planning of learning experiences, interaction, observation and recording techniques. Liaising with Supervisors and writing of placement report.
Early Years Teacher/Leader
Voluntary Service Overseas
Ghana, West Africa
02.2003 - 08.2004
- My project was to development Learning Through Play in a specifically built Early Learning Centre.
- With NO funds or resources, I used my initiative and creativity to make games and resources from locally resourced cardboard boxes and bottle tops.
- Fundraised at home, applied for funds and grants from charities and organizations in the UK and Ireland and applied to other NGOs based in the areas for staff and resources.
- Daily welcomed ALL children and young people into the centre, making it an inclusive venue despite local attitudes towards those with a disability or less favourable background.
- Developed children's English language skills, the ability to learn through play and let the children be children in a culture where play is not the norm.
- Acquired funding for 2 local ladies to work alongside me. I trained them in early education methods and techniques, enabling them to further their education and train as Primary School Teachers.
- Lead 2 training sessions for the regional Nursery Staff, discussing curriculum planning and how to create teaching materials from the resources that can be found locally.
- Acquired funding for a Tie dye workshop for local young women who had no schooling but the desire to find a new skill to support their families.
- Computers from UK allowed me to give IT lessons to local teachers and students, to give them a basic level of competence.
- Local teachers were invited to bring their classes to the centre during the day where they had free access to a wide range of acquired resources and reading schemes from the UK. Good teaching practices were shared as well as a positive reinforcement approach to discipline rather than the local methods of physical discipline.
Reception (P1) Teacher
British School Al Khubairat
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
09.2000 - 08.2002
- Class Teacher in a team of 5 Reception Teachers.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues to plan for core areas of the curriculum, taking the lead for Science.
- Demonstrated sound knowledge of the early curriculum, planning for experiences and lessons to meet the needs of all children.
- Liaised with parents and other agencies to ensure the needs of children were being met effectively.
- Kept accurate records of learning , reporting regularly to SMT and parents.
- Took part in school training sessions to improve knowledge and skills in curricular areas.
- Ensured creativity and individuality were always at the fore in what could be a very prescribed working and teaching/learning environment!
Reception Teacher
Downs Primary School
Essex
02.1997 - 08.2000
- Planned for and delivered fun, creative early learning experiences in a nurturing, stimulating and engaging environment.
- Developed a very strong early level Team, encouraging and supporting EYPs to develop areas of interest and the curriculum, planning and delivering activities and experiences to meets the needs of all children.
- Liaised with families and outside agencies to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to meet the needs of all children.
- Kept detailed records of learning, identifying next steps.
- Shared learning records with families and SMT.
- Attended regular staff meetings and CPD opportunities.
- PE Co-ordinator responsible for keeping up to date with any new initiatives and delivering in house training to colleagues.
- Engaged Parental support to train sports teams and compete in local tournaments.
- Endured the wrath of some parents who were opposed to my philosophy of awarding team places on the basis of merit and dedication to training, rather than skill level and expectation of a place!
PE Teacher and Form Teacher
St Elizabeth's Special School
Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
09.1995 - 02.1997
- PE Teacher responsible for the implementation and delivery of the PE Curriculum to children and young people aged 5-18 years.
- St Elizabeth's is a centre which specialises in the care of children and young people with epilepsy and associated Moderate to Severe Learning Needs.
- Promoted a programme of physical acitivies that could be adapted and easily modified to meeting the changing needs of the children, training support staff in the use of aids and resources to enhance experiences.
- In house training on epilepsy and the administration of drugs when needed.
- Kept detailed planning records and records of children's achievements which were shared with parents on open days as well as end of year reports.
- Medical records updated when necessary and liaised with all interested parties to ensure pupil profiles were up to date.
- Alongside staff volunteers, trained the school athletics squad who successfully competed in County and Regional Special Olympic Events.
Outdoor Activities Instructor
The Ranch Adventure Centre
North Wales
02.1990 - 08.1991
- Worked as part of a large team preparing and adapting all outdoor activities to ensure high quality experiences for all clients, most specifically those with mental and physical disabilities e.g. Mencap, Torch Trust.
- Engaged in programmes to foster teamwork and personal development both as an instructor and with clients of the centre.
- Participated in risk assessing of activities and equipment, undertaking maintenance of safety equipment.
- Underwent first aid training plus learning basic makaton and Fingerspelling alphabet in order to communicate most effectively with clients.
Outdoor Activities Instructor
Quest Adventure Centre
Devon
03.1989 - 11.1989
- Instructed children and adults in various outdoor activities, ensuring safety protocols were meticulously followed.
- Coordinated with colleagues for outdoor programmes, including equipment management and site preparation for activities.
Education
BA PE with Qualified Teacher Status, Primary Ed - PE and human Movement
Edgehill College of Higher Education, Lancashire University
Ormskirk, Lancashire 09.1991 - 06.1995
A-Levels - Irish, History and English Literature
Thornhill College
Derry, Ireland 09.1986 - 06.1988
O Levels - English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, History, Geography, Irish, ICT, RE,
Thornhill College
Derry, Ireland 09.1981 - 06.1986
Skills
- IT competence in word processing and presentation skills
- Good communication skills, an effective listener willing to ask questions and listen to advice
- Quick to learn new skills, to watch and learn from others
- A good team member who can step up to lead when necessary as well as take instructions and follow the lead of others
- A multi-tasker quick to adapt to changing circumstances
Affiliations
- I love the Great Outdoors, weather is never a problem. I am a keen walker and swimmer and, together with my Mother, rediscovered an interest in crochet which has now become an addiction! I love to travel, exploring new cultures, meeting local people and trying new foods.
Referees
Claire Crawford, Early Years Improvement & Support Officer, SBC
claire.crawford@scotborders.gov.uk
01835 824000
Mar Bradley, Early Years Teacher, SBC
eytmagenta@gmail.com
07854543774
Timeline
Relief Early Years Practitioner (EYP)
Scottish Borders Council (SBC)
08.2022 - Current
Early Years Teacher (EYT)
SBC
08.2019 - 08.2022
EYT
SBC
08.2015 - 12.2017
Nursery Teacher Knowepark Primary School
SBC
08.2012 - 08.2015
Early Years Teacher/Leader
Voluntary Service Overseas
02.2003 - 08.2004
Reception (P1) Teacher
British School Al Khubairat
09.2000 - 08.2002
Reception Teacher
Downs Primary School
02.1997 - 08.2000
PE Teacher and Form Teacher
St Elizabeth's Special School
09.1995 - 02.1997
BA PE with Qualified Teacher Status, Primary Ed - PE and human Movement
Edgehill College of Higher Education, Lancashire University
09.1991 - 06.1995
Outdoor Activities Instructor
The Ranch Adventure Centre
02.1990 - 08.1991
Outdoor Activities Instructor
Quest Adventure Centre
03.1989 - 11.1989
A-Levels - Irish, History and English Literature
Thornhill College
09.1986 - 06.1988
O Levels - English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, History, Geography, Irish, ICT, RE,
Thornhill College
09.1981 - 06.1986