Nicole Whittaker
hu
Summary
Dedicated childcare professional with extensive expertise in early childhood development and safeguarding. Proficient in managing baby rooms, providing 1 to 1 support, and implementing SEND individual support plans. Demonstrates strong skills in critical thinking, strategic planning, and data analysis. Certified in first aid, safeguarding, and health and safety protocols. Committed to fostering inclusive environments and maintaining OFSTED standards while ensuring effective communication with parents and guardians. Career goal: To continue enhancing child development practices within a supportive educational setting.
Reliable individual with excellent communication and relationship-building skills seeks role in nursery care. Takes instruction well and learns quickly to achieve task requirements. Confident team player working collaboratively to support learning goals.
Compassionate management professional with substantial experience supporting parents and caring for children. Dedicated to leading by example to build committed, empathetic service teams.
Loyal employee with solid understanding of training and mentoring employees. Dedicated team player, proactive and hands-on in task completion.
Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Deputy nursery manager
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
Brighouse, Calderdale
06.2021 - Current
- Updated learning journals with excellent systems knowledge.
- Oversaw key group of children and kept detailed progress observations.
- Maintained clean, safe play environments, disinfecting toys and surfaces regularly.
- Identified daily service priorities and delegated tasks to achieve them.
- Supported Nursery Manager in various administrative duties to ensure smooth operations.
- Tailored activities to make use of resources and engage all children based on their age, interests and abilities.
- Created stimulating learning environments to motivate educational engagement and development.
- Established strong parent relationships to promote transparent communication about child development.
- Handled nappy changes and baby feeding while keeping detailed log sheets.
- Promoted emotional and social development of children, encouraging learning through play and sensory activities.
- Collaborated with colleagues in planning special events, creating memorable experiences for children and parents alike.
- Managed challenging behaviour with empathetic and consistent strategies, fostering emotional literacy among children.
- Contributed to team meetings with insightful ideas for continuous improvement.
- Fostered a nurturing environment by implementing creative learning strategies.
- Maintained high standards of cleanliness within the nursery, prioritising child health and wellbeing.
- Provided first aid treatment when necessary – guaranteeing quick response during emergencies.
- Demonstrated intercultural awareness for inclusive care provisions.
- Submitted written reports to parents detailing progress and development of children.
- Promoted healthy eating habits among children through educational talks and food preparation demonstrations.
- Developed trusting relationships with children, parents and staff.
- Attended regular training opportunities to expand professional knowledge and further career progression.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures that adhere to OFSTED regulations.
- Designed educational activities for young children in line with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
- Regularly updated individual child records, enabling accurate tracking of developmental progress.
- Delivered rich learning opportunities for children with diverse abilities.
- Safeguarded children appropriately to meet legal requirements.
- Maintained secure, up-to-date child care records for thorough reference.
- Reported children's development and progress to parents and caregivers.
- Supervised and supported children during meal times with strict attention to detail to mitigate risks.
- Upheld all regulatory requirements for early years education, maintaining high quality service provision.
- Planned creative activities to motivate and inspire children.
- Raised safeguarding concerns with senior staff to maintain positive child security and wellbeing.
- Kept accurate learning journey records, sharing updates with parents and carers for cohesive childcare.
- Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Handled chemicals and waste in line with COSHH regulations.
Nursery room leader (Baby Room)
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
Brighouse, Calderdale
09.2017 - 06.2021
- Fostered strong relationships with parents for improved communication and understanding.
- Adapted activities to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
- Created and maintained welcoming, safe and tidy space to promote children's development.
- Maximised children's engagement by establishing a structured routine of daily activities.
- Advised parents on how to manage disruptive or unsocial behaviours at home.
- Role-modelled desired behaviours, habits and actions.
- Tracked and assessed learning journeys.
- Created a happy, safe and stimulating learning environment for children aged 7 months to 2 years
- Maintained records of children's daily activities, meals and medications administered.
- Created safe and stimulating outdoor learning environments.
- Engaged children in stimulating learning-based activities and games.
- Read stories and lead activities to help children build foundational learning skills.
- Supporting new staff members by sharing best practice methods improved overall team performance,.
- Developed positive, trusting relationships with groups of young children.
- Implemented Safeguarding Procedures to monitor and protect children.
- Thoroughly cleaned and disinfected play areas to control health risks.
- Built strong rapport with families to ensure smooth transitions for children during drop-off and pick-up times.
- Observed children at play to monitor behaviour and social interactions, intervening in serious conflicts.
- Applied Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework knowledge to drive curriculum attainment.
- Transported children to and from school in line with set schedule.
- Participated actively in staff meetings, contributed creative ideas for improving nursery services.
- Enhanced children's cognitive development by creating and implementing stimulating play activities.
- Cared for babies from changing nappies to managing nap schedules.
- Supported children's development with learning-through-play activities, aiding social, emotional and educational growth.
- Contributed towards curriculum planning to promote all areas of child development.
- Managed challenging behaviour with effective strategies to ensure a calm learning environment.
- Managed and administered medications and minor first aid treatments, prioritising child safety and wellbeing.
- Enabled accurate assessment of children's progress by providing staff support and guidance in relation to EYFS framework.
- Communicated daily observations with guardians, maintaining detailed development records.
- Set up equipment and materials ahead of recreational activities.
- Facilitated healthy interaction amongst children for fostering a positive social environment.
- Encouraged children's imaginative play through storytelling sessions which fostered language skills and creativity,.
- Coordinated age-appropriate activities to enhance learning development, including art, music and physical pursuits.
- Discussed behavioural issues with parents offering practical solutions for improved child development.
- Helped children with personal hygiene needs and taught young children to independently complete care tasks.
- Conducted risk assessments for activities to uphold Health and Safety.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
Nursery nurse
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
Brighouse, Calderdale
06.2014 - 09.2017
- Supported individual learning needs of each child by implementing personalised strategies and plans.
- Guided positive behaviour amongst children through role-modelling appropriate actions and manners.
- Prepared nutritional snacks to cater to individual dietary needs.
- Passionately promoted learning through play for optimum child development.
- Observed children at play to monitor behaviour and social interactions, intervening in serious conflicts.
- Improved language skills in toddlers using interactive storytelling sessions and song routines.
- Organised stimulating outdoor activities that encouraged motor skill development in a fun manner.
- Liaised effectively with colleagues during shift changes; guaranteed seamless continuity of care for all children.
- Administered first aid when required, ensuring prompt attention to injuries or illnesses.
- Worked with large team to complete daily tasks to schedule.
- Provided detailed daily reports to parents regarding their child's day, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Promoted hygiene practices by teaching basic grooming habits such as hand-washing before meals.
- Closely monitored child wellbeing, regularly updating parents to assure continued safety and security.
- Set up equipment and materials ahead of recreational activities.
- Wrote up regular activity and observations reports, monitoring children's progress and development.
- Read stories and lead activities to help children build foundational learning skills.
- Safeguarded and protected welfare of young children.
- Facilitated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and play.
- Implemented nursery policies consistently; maintained standards expected by management team.
- Demonstrated awareness of children's cultural background, disabilities and medical histories.
- Maintained consistently safe environments through diligent risk management in line with nursery guidelines.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with parents, carers and nursery staff.
- Facilitated nap times as part of routine care duties, contributing to overall wellbeing.
- Provided kind, encouraging environments for children to learn and explore, aiding educational and social development.
- Engaged children in stimulating learning-based activities and games.
- Created and maintained welcoming, safe and tidy space to promote children's development.
- Dressed children and changed nappies.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Education
University of Huddersfield
Huddersfield 09.2017 - 07.2022
NVQ Level 3 - Education
Calderdale College
Halifax 09.2014 - 05.2017
Skills
- Data protection understanding
- Guardian relations
- Critical-thinking
- Baby room management
- 1 to 1 support
- Observant and focused
- First-aid certified
- Health and safety protocols
- Playtime supervision
- Early Childhood Development and Learning Concepts
- SEN student support
- Strategic thinking
- Lesson, game and activity planning
- Health and safety expertise
- Decision making
- Progress reporting
- Nutritional planning
- Age-appropriate learning and skill development
- OFSTED standards
- Child safeguarding
- Parental communication
- Flexible working attitude
- Safeguarding certification
- Child development understanding
- SEND individual support plans
- Data analysis
- Time efficiency
- Child development knowledge
- Childcare legislation
- Self-motivation
- Child protection plans
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Inclusivity principles
- Knowledge of ofsted standards
- Fire safety procedures
- Staff management
- Age-appropriate activities
- Personal care and hygiene management
- Parent-Staff communication
- Risk Assessment
- Relationship-building
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Deputy nursery manager
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
06.2021 - Current
Nursery room leader (Baby Room)
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
09.2017 - 06.2021
Diploma of Higher Education - Education
University of Huddersfield
09.2017 - 07.2022
NVQ Level 3 - Education
Calderdale College
09.2014 - 05.2017
Nursery nurse
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Day Nurseries
06.2014 - 09.2017
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