Cover Letter...

I wish to apply for the role of Nanny – Gosford (Wyong Region). I am seeking a full-time permanent position. I am prepared to work shift work, weekends, overnights and various shifts as a professional educator.

• Minimum 12 months experience working with children 0-13 years.
I have worked with children 0-12 years in a variety of casual jobs over the last 10 years. I have worked at a child care centre in all rooms with 0-2year old room, 2-3 year old room, 3-4 year old room and ‘pre-school room’ This was on a very casual basis filling in when staff were ill or on holidays. I have worked as a nanny for a family with two young children. I have also worked as a teacher with children from Kindergarten to Year 11.

• Must be 18 years old or older.
I am 47 and my DOB is 27/10/1969.

• Must have the right to work in Australia.
I was born in Australia and am an Australian citizen.

• Be reliable, trustworthy, honest and have a passion for children and families.
I am reliable, honest and try my best to provide for the children in my care. I have been involved in community activities such as clean-up Australia Day, Little Athletics and Cub Scouts which I feel demonstrates one way I have been passionate about improving our community for our children. I am committed to ‘Improving the Gap’ initiatives. I strive to be inclusive of all children and to learn more about resources and activities where I can improve in this area. I am passionate about assisting children to make healthy life choices, to eat healthily and enjoy exercise and having fun.

• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
My written and spoken English is of a high standard.

• Great organisational and time management skills.
As a casual worker I have learnt to be very adaptable and resourceful. I understand the need to be on time to ensure adequate supervision and the safety of the children at all times. Working in a variety of positions has helped prepare me for this role. I believe that planning and preparation can help me be more organised and manage the time to allow for more child-centred activities.

• Ability to maintain a smoke/alcohol/illegal substances free environment at all times.
I do not smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal substance when I am at work ever.

• Well developed interpersonal, oral and written skills whilst maintaining confidentiality.
As a child care educator I have experience working with families, children and other educators. I have experience in both oral and written communications with families and other educators.
One time I used oral communication was one morning when I discussed with a parents the child’s needs for the day regarding the food they had contributed to morning tea, the details of the overnight sleep which had been disturbed. I was able to assist the child to have the morning tea of her choice, maintain and encourage the link between home and care, and also facilitate an earlier then her usual sleep time due to the changes the parent had communicated to me. Some examples of written communication include ‘day book’ entries based on the ELYF, newsletter entries, portfolio records and reports.
I understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality, particularly important when working in the child’s own home, but always important.

• Demonstrated effective communication skills whilst maintaining confidentiality.
I have experience documenting and recording the day’s events. The ELYF is a very useful tool to assist me to communicate with other educators and parents. I have experience writing a portfolio for the children I was a nanny to. I have experience communicating with educators to pass on messages and ensure that confidentiality is maintained by not discussing children or families with anyone else, unless strictly necessary.

I have demonstrated experience completing an incident form, ensuring you maintain confidentiality of the children involved, writing succinctly and clearly. I have experience communicating with a parent regarding small incidents and obtaining the parent/caregiver’s signature and filing a copy of the completed form. I have experience using word, data base, power point and a basic level of computer literacy. I will endeavour to ensure that all paperwork (ie timesheets, excursion forms, medication forms) is completed and processed in a professional and timely manner as required by the NSW Nanny Services.

• Ability to create learning opportunities for children.
I have demonstrated experience in providing learning experiences in the child care centre where I worked as a casual. This could be indoor or outdoor activities, in large groups, small groups and individuals.

I also have experience teaching K-6 as a classroom teacher and as a learning support teacher in small groups or individual assistance.
As a nanny I have worked in the child’s own home and provided a variety of activities such as art/craft, fitness, cooking, and healthy eating. I created learning experience which allowed the children to choose their own games and activities and have a sense of control over their own time. I also created learning opportunities for the children I was a nanny to by taking them out of the home. We attended a music group weekly, library story time, swimming lessons. We also took interesting local excursions such as our park, a local bakery to practice handling money and speaking for yourself. The children were encouraged to choose activities that they enjoyed. Plenty of time was allowed for the children to develop their own interests in accordance with the ‘Being, Belonging and Becoming Framework.’

• A warm, caring, nurturing personality, physically fit and highly energetic.
I try to be warm and caring towards all the children in my care. I am 47, I am healthy but not particularly fit. I have no illnesses. I also have had all the recommended vaccinations, such as whooping cough and Hep B.

• Understanding of EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework).
I have completed a CERTIFICATE III in Children’s Services, so I am familiar with the EYLF. Current Working with Children Check & Criminal Record Check.

I have a current Working with Children Check, the number is 03001366 Exp. 07/03/19

• Current 1st Aid & CPR including asthma & anaphylaxis.
Yes

• Willing to work independently and different shifts including day, night, sleepovers, weekend, rotating rosters and split shifts.
Yes, I am willing to work independently and understand the role requires a variety of shift work, weekends and unusual time. I would prefer to have a guarantee of a set number of hours a week, but am not concerned about which days or hours as I am currently available to work any day.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Yours sincerely,
Jen Smith (nee Hewitson)