Jodie Patterson

In this role, I brought the magic of Christmas to life for children and families. My responsibilities included public speaking to both children and adults, singing, dancing, and performing as part of the festive entertainment. I organised and led creative activities such as making reindeer food and helping children write letters to Santa, ensuring an immersive and joyful experience. With a focus on energy, enthusiasm, and attention to detail, I helped create unforgettable memories while maintaining a welcoming and professional atmosphere.

During my seven-week placement at Carryduff Playgroup as part of Semester 1 at Stranmillis University, I supported the team in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. My responsibilities included preparing and setting up the room, organising and facilitating activities aligned with the playgroup's curriculum, and assisting with drop-offs and pick-ups to ensure smooth transitions. I also prepared and served snacks, promoting healthy eating habits and social interaction. Additionally, I gained valuable insight into parental engagement by observing a parent interview, enhancing my understanding of effective communication and collaboration in early years settings.

In my role as a one-to-one classroom assistant at Dromore Central Primary School, I provided support to a child with ADHD and anger management issues. Working closely with the child, I created and used personalised strategies to address their specific needs while fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. My responsibilities extended beyond one-to-one support, providing general classroom assistance too here and there. Throughout the day, I employed a variety of techniques to manage the child's behaviour effectively, including positive reinforcement through reward charts and utilising movement breaks to channel their energy productively. I accompanied the child to the sensory room, where we engaged in activities aimed at developing fine and gross motor skills and practicing anger management techniques in a supportive and calming environment, it is also a fun and calm place where the child can just take a break. By placing these interventions into the child's daily routine, I feel I navigate challenges confidently while promoting the child's overall well-being and academic success.

During my job at Ladybird Lane Day Nursery, I had the pleasure of working across various age groups, including the baby room, preschool room, and after-school room, each offering unique experiences. In the baby room, I had responsibilities such as nappy changes, bottle feeds, and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for nap times and outdoor walks in the prams. In the preschool and after-school rooms, I loved engaging with the children through arts and crafts activities, music sessions, and imaginative play. I also helped out at preschools sports day. Whether it was helping little ones explore their artistic talents or supervising outdoor play at the park, safety remained a top priority in every setting.

During my time as a one-to-one classroom assistant at Edenderry Primary School, I provided dedicated support to a non-verbal child with autism for a year. My primary role was to offer personalised assistance tailored to the child's specific needs, ensuring their inclusion and participation in classroom activities. This involved using specialised communication techniques, verbal and nonverbal, and visual aids to facilitate understanding and engagement for this child. I supported the child throughout the day, assisting with tasks ranging from taking a smaller reading group with him in it to encourage groupwork and to encourage speech to simply helping him get organised at home time and help him learn to recognise his belongings. One of my key responsibilities was to foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where the child felt comfortable and supported. Moreover, I had the opportunity to accompany the P2 class on a school trip to Belfast Zoo, where I not only ensured the specific child's safety I had responsibility over a small group of children for the day. Through this i had to be organised, patient and aware of my surroundings.

I completed 200 hours of voluntary placement at Lisidian House for my Level 3 Health and Social Care course. During my time volunteering at Lisidian House Care Home, I had the privilege of making meaningful connections with the residents while providing compassionate support and companionship. Engaging in various activities, such as reading, drawing, baking, playing games, organising activities and simply chatting, allowed me to brighten their days and alleviate feelings of loneliness. I gained valuable insights into the importance of empathy and patience when interacting with individuals who may have diverse needs and backgrounds. Additionally, assisting with daily tasks, such as meal preparation, organising activities and shadowing personal care further reinforced my commitment to serving others with dignity and respect. One activity that I organised for the care home, the residents and their families was a tea party it was a lovely opportunity to be able to pursue this task. I helped set up tables, bake buns and food for it and use ICT skills to create invites for the families of the residents to come in and enjoy the tea party with their loved ones.

During my time at Tesco, I became fully trained in Dotcom and Tills. As part of the Dotcom team, I carefully selected and packed online customer orders, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and high-quality service to meet delivery deadlines. On Tills, I was responsible for handling cash and card transactions with precision, managing refunds, and providing excellent customer service to create a positive shopping experience. These roles strengthened my skills in money handling, attention to detail, and working effectively in a fast-paced retail environment.