Monica, canguro - 11003 Cadiz

Hello, dear parents!
My name is Monica!
With a Bachelor Degree in Journalism and a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People’s Workforce, I have always been drawn towards a cultural diversity and a continous learning work environment. In 2011 I was volunteering in ADESCO, an NGO whose main activity was organising International Summer Camps for children with fewer opportunities in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. My responsibilities were to write the project’s funding proposal (“Youth in Action” was the European Committee Financial Line accessed), accommodate the international volunteers willing to support us and plan the activities for children with them (age groups 7 to 14 years old). It was also during that time I understood how rewarding working with children is and I new that Childcare is the field I will commit to.

In 2014 I moved to London and I started working in an Outstanding Private Nursery- Keren’s Nursery, while studying Childcare. The EYFS Framework and its standards set the foundation of my practice. I am confident in implementing the curriculum, observing, assessing, planning tailored activities according to children’s stage of development, preferences and individual needs. “Every child is unique” and as a Childcare Practitioner, my role is to support their development in a safe and caring manner. I understand the importance of keeping a balance between
adult led activities and child initiated play, while giving children choices and validate them accordingly.

Having worked as a sole charge nanny (sometimes up to 5 days alone with Z.) allowed me to temporarily embrace the responsibilities of a “second mother”. I believe that this role developed a set of skills that I am confident to apply (e.g. create daily schedules and engage in activities to ensure the child’s development , use his/her interests as tools in designing activities with a learning value).

On a more personal level, I discovered that in order for me to strive, I need to be in a place that provides me with a sense of community and social warmth. The truth is I was raised with the “latin’s unpretentious kindness” cultural feature and I felt this social warmth in Cadiz. Moving to Cadiz and continuing to practice Childcare, singing and enjoying the sun, food and the ocean are features picturing a settled life.
I enrolled to the Music School at UCA and I would like to invest my time into singing and looking after children (up to 30h/week) in my spare time.

I believe that I have gathered relevant experience and knowledge to be a confident candidate. The Substitute Teacher Position at Leipzig International Kindergarten exposed me to a different age-group everyday, as I was supporting educators in all classes the Institution has. This practice allowed me to extend my understanding regarding the language used, effective and appropriate pedagogical methods and the overall approach relevant to each age-group.

I carry my responsibilities with passion, attention to detail, musicality and much love. Supporting children build their sense of self, confidence and independence is rewarding for me. Their achievement is the confirmation that we (as the Educational Institution team or as the nanny) played a positive part in their development. This is my motivation in this field.

In addition, I am aware of all the transferable skills gained while studying Journalism. One idea that hasn’t been implemented yet and I would love to be given the opportunity to make it happen is a Radio Program. As part of giving children “a voice”. Likes, dislikes, ideas, children retelling their favourite story, first words said in the superheroes, their news etc. I think it is a fun and creative way to validate them.

Please do get in touch, as I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Monica