Nicola Grover
Poole,UK
Summary
Experienced Early Years professional currently working as Deputy Manager, Senior Room Lead, and SENCO within a nature-based kindergarten. I am skilled in leading high-quality EYFS practice, curriculum development, and staff coaching, with a strong emphasis on Reggio Emilia and Montessori-inspired approaches. I am passionate about inclusive, child-centred education that promotes independence, curiosity, and wellbeing through outdoor and nature-based learning. In addition, I am an experienced Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with a strong safeguarding ethos and a proven ability to build effective partnerships with families and external professionals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Deputy Manager
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster-Dorset
Poole , Dorset
2024.05 - Current
- I am currently Deputy Manager of a nature kindergarten and have been in this role since December 2024. I support the day-to-day leadership and management of the setting, ensuring the nursery's pedagogy and values are consistently upheld through high-quality, child-centred practice. I oversee curriculum delivery across the setting and coach the team to embed and reflect the underpinning principles of both the Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches, promoting reflective practice, independence, curiosity, and child-led learning. As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), I work closely with the DSL to maintain robust safeguarding procedures, promote a strong safeguarding culture, and ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.
- In my role as SENCO, I lead on the identification and coordination of support for children with additional needs, including the development and review of individualised learning plans and the tailoring of targeted support strategies to meet diverse developmental needs. I work closely with families and external professionals to ensure inclusive, child-centred provision, and have played a key role in developing an increasingly accessible environment for all learners, including contributing to the successful implementation of a dedicated sensory space and the consistent use of visual aids across the setting to support communication and understanding. I am familiar with statutory processes and documentation, and ensure that planning and provision remain responsive and effective. I have developed strong and effective parent partnerships through open communication, trust, and shared decision-making, enabling families to be actively involved in their children's learning and development.
- My leadership supports continuous improvement, staff coaching, and the delivery of enriching outdoor and nature-based experiences that nurture children's wellbeing, confidence, and independence.
Senior Room Practitioner/SENCO
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster
Poole
2024.05 - 2024.12
- As a Senior Room Lead, I am responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the assigned room, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and educational experiences in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. My role involves leading and mentoring a team of nursery practitioners, promoting a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment for children's learning and development.
- My strengths lie in strong leadership, effective curriculum planning, and my ability to foster positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues alike. I take pride in mentoring and developing my team, ensuring we consistently provide an outstanding level of care. Through regular communication with parents and close monitoring of children's progress, I ensure that every child’s unique potential is nurtured in a safe and engaging environment.
- As a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) in a nursery, I am responsible for ensuring that all children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need to thrive. I work closely with staff, parents, and external professionals to identify children who may require additional help, create tailored support plans, and ensure these plans are implemented effectively.
Children's Residential Support Worker
The LILY Housing Project-Dorset
, Dorset
2023.08 - 2024.05
- As a Residential Children Worker the position involves providing nurture and support for children and young people (aged between 9 – 17 years old). I support them with all aspects of day-to-day tasks and activities, education, health-care appointments, professional contact and family contact. The position involves adopting a therapeutic approach, centred around using PACE to ensure a nurturing environment, focusing on child-centred care and promoting secure attachments. Safeguarding the young people who are extremely vulnerable is of paramount importance, and key work is provided regularly to support any concerns as they arise. The job also involves keeping detailed, accurate paperwork daily, to provide evidence of the young persons care, progress, needs and concerns, and to share this with relevant professionals to maintain multi-agency/partnership working.
Early Years Practitioner
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster-Dorset
, Dorset
2023.07 - 2023.10
- During this time frame I worked as an Early Years Practitioners as bank staff, working with the toddlers and pre-schoolers within a nature kindergarten setting. The job involved looking after the children's day to day physical needs such as toileting, nappy changing and promoting independence through self-care skills. It also involved providing a safe, enabling environment for the children, centred around using the natural environment and allowing the children to learn through their own creativity and natural curiosity.
Waking Nights Child Support Worker
Diverse Abilities-Dorset
2022.08 - 2023.08
- As a residential child support worker specializing in children with high medical needs, my role is multi-faceted and centered around providing comprehensive care and support to ensure the well-being and development of these vulnerable children. I work in a residential facility specifically designed to cater to their unique medical requirements.
- One of my primary responsibilities is to provide personal care assistance to the children. This includes assisting with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and medication administration. I am trained to handle specialized medical equipment, such as SAT's monitors, feeding tubes, and mobility aids, ensuring the children's safety and comfort. I collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to implement individual care plans tailored to each child's specific medical needs.
- I am responsible for maintaining a safe and hygienic environment. This involves implementing infection control protocols, regularly sanitizing the living spaces, and monitoring and documenting any changes in the children's health or behavior. In emergency situations, I am trained to respond quickly and appropriately, administering first aid and initiating emergency protocols.
- In summary, as a residential child support worker for children with high medical needs, my role revolves around providing comprehensive care, support, and advocacy. I strive to create a nurturing environment that promotes their overall well-being, development, and quality of life.
Special Needs Teaching Assistant
Beaucroft School
2016.09 - 2023.07
- I was a teaching assistant within the Early Years department, and have worked with children with additional learning needs in this setting for 6 years. The children were aged between 4 and 7 years of age although at times I have worked in other year groups when cover has been needed. I provide care for the children, not only educational, but personal care, speech and language and as a result I am familiar with using PECs as a means of communication. At times I have led the class in the teachers absence, following planning and managing the class to ensure the children's needs are met. During 2022 and 2023 I worked as supply staff based in the junior department although this changed depending on where the need was.
Sales Assistant
Seasalt-Poole, Dorset
2019.01 - 2020.01
- I worked as a sales assistant for approximately 18 months in the Seasalt Wimborne branch. My roles included answering customers questions regarding merchandise, assisting them with their purchases, and offering alternatives if items were unavailable. I also assisted with on-line orders for customers who wanted specific items which were not available in store. I dealt with new stock as it arrived, checking all products were accounted for and then distributed them correctly in the stock room, or the shop floor if required. I worked alongside management and supervisors following floor plans to re-merchandise the shop floor, and to re-dress windows to accommodate the new seasons products. During promotional periods I would push special offers and keep the customers informed of the latest discounts. I feel I work well as a customer sales assistant as all of my work experience involves working with others, requiring collaboration, communication and patience, and I am able to interact effectively in all roles.
1:1 Teaching Assistant
Upton Infant School
2010.09 - 2016.07
- I worked as a 1:1 teaching assistant for children with additional learning needs within a mainstream classroom. This involved children with ASC, speech and language delay, global delay and ADHD. The role involved delivering a tailored timetable to support the child's level of needs, providing them with speech and language sessions, planning and making resources, and putting behaviour strategies in place to enable them to successfully engage in a mainstream setting. I was provided support and advice from outreach support workers, and worked collaboratively with the SEN lead to introduce interventions such as PECs communication and communication boards.
Education
Early Years Education (EYITT) - Early Years Teacher Training
Best Practice
2025.09 -
Btech National Diploma - Childhood Studies
The Bournemouth and Poole College
Bournemouth 1996.09 - 1998.07
Bachelor's - Early Years Childcare Services
University of Wolverhampton/studying at Bournemouth and Poole College
Bournemouth 2021.09 - 2025.05
GCSE or equivalent - English Literature, English Language, Maths, Double Science, French, History, Geography, P.E., Business Studies
Parkstone Grammar School
1991.09 - 1995.07
Skills
- Strong knowledge and application of the EYFS framework, with experience in curriculum leadership across whole-setting practice Confident in coaching and mentoring practitioners to enhance teaching and learning, while embedding early years pedagogical principles to support reflective, child-led practice Experienced SENCO with responsibility for identifying and coordinating SEND provision, including writing and reviewing individualised learning plans and designing tailored support strategies to meet diverse developmental needs Skilled in the use of visual aids, PECs, and sensory-based interventions, alongside developing inclusive environments such as sensory spaces in collaboration with staff and external professionals I have strong leadership skills supporting the day-to-day management of an early years setting, including staff supervision, mentoring, and driving continuous improvement through reflective practice Highly effective in building positive relationships with parents and carers, supporting shared decision-making and working collaboratively with external agencies to ensure consistent, holistic support for children I have had continued experience supporting children with ASC, ADHD, and speech and language delay, using therapeutic, neuro-affirming strategies, and attachment-aware approaches to promote emotional wellbeing, independence, and resilience, underpinned by a strong background in education childcare settings
Personal Statement
I would be an effective SEND Early Years Teacher due to my extensive experience supporting children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities across both educational and childcare settings. Throughout my career, I have worked with children with autism, ADHD, speech and language delays, complex learning needs, and medical needs, developing a strong understanding of how to adapt teaching, environments, and support strategies to enable every child to succeed. My experience as a SENCO has strengthened my ability to identify individual needs, develop personalised learning plans, implement targeted interventions, and work collaboratively with families and external professionals to achieve positive outcomes for children.
Alongside my SEND expertise, I bring strong knowledge of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage, with experience leading curriculum delivery and promoting inclusive, child-centred learning environments. I am passionate about creating engaging and accessible opportunities that foster independence, communication, confidence, and wellbeing. My background in safeguarding as a Deputy DSL, combined with my leadership experience and commitment to reflective practice, enables me to support children holistically while maintaining high standards of care, education, and inclusion. I am dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of need or ability, are valued, supported, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Timeline
Early Years Education (EYITT) - Early Years Teacher Training
Best Practice
2025.09 -
Deputy Manager
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster-Dorset
2024.05 - Current
Senior Room Practitioner/SENCO
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster
2024.05 - 2024.12
Children's Residential Support Worker
The LILY Housing Project-Dorset
2023.08 - 2024.05
Early Years Practitioner
Kids Love Nature Kindergarten at Lytchett Minster-Dorset
2023.07 - 2023.10
Waking Nights Child Support Worker
Diverse Abilities-Dorset
2022.08 - 2023.08
Bachelor's - Early Years Childcare Services
University of Wolverhampton/studying at Bournemouth and Poole College
2021.09 - 2025.05
Sales Assistant
Seasalt-Poole, Dorset
2019.01 - 2020.01
Special Needs Teaching Assistant
Beaucroft School
2016.09 - 2023.07
1:1 Teaching Assistant
Upton Infant School
2010.09 - 2016.07
Btech National Diploma - Childhood Studies
The Bournemouth and Poole College
1996.09 - 1998.07
GCSE or equivalent - English Literature, English Language, Maths, Double Science, French, History, Geography, P.E., Business Studies
Parkstone Grammar School
1991.09 - 1995.07