Grace Evans

After completing my A-level studies, upon leaving school I embarked on further education studies at University Trinity St David (UWTSD) where I studied for a degree in Early Years Education & Care. This is where I found my passion for working with children.

I am an ambitious and hardworking individual who thrives on learning and developing new skills / tools to best succeed. Working with children has cemented my passion for nurturing young children in their early years, whilst supporting their continual development, which gives me great satisfaction. I have become more resilient, patient and understanding whilst working collaboratively with others to provide children with the best start in life.

.

I enjoy learning and developing my own mind.as well as my GCSE’s and A-Levels I have achieved a First-Class honor in BA Hons Early Years Education and Care degree and a PG Diploma in Developmental and Therapeutic Play. I take advantage of all the opportunities I am given to further expand my knowledge and apply my newfound learning in my role.

A selection of the courses I have completed are Elklan, Engaging Environments and Engaging experience training. I also hold Safeguarding A and C certificates, and I am trained in First Aid. The desire to further my learning gives me motivation to improve myself and ensure I am equipped with the relevant skills to best support and assist the learning and development of the children I work with.

Cook/Waitress at Coracle Fish Bar (2016-01 – 2018-12)

I worked for two years as a cook and waitress in a very busy chip shop. I was responsible for taking orders, preparing and serving food. I frequently took the Customer orders; having good customer service and working in an organised manner is essential.

Waitress at Café Bach (2017-06 – 2017-08)

In the summer of 2017 I worked in a small but very busy café. Here I took on the responsibility of serving customers, relaying orders and preparing drinks and desserts. I thoroughly enjoyed socialising with regular customers and being apart of the café team.

Sales Assistant at New Look (2018-12 – 2018-12)

At Christmas time in 2018 I took on the role of a sales assistant in New Look as a Christmas Temp. During this time I used tills, practised my customer service skills and generally improved my work ethic. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at New Look as I loved interacting with many new people everyday.

Barista at Costa Coffee (2019-01 – 2020-12)

Currently, I am working in Costa Coffee as a barista. In my role I am constantly greeting, speaking to and providing customers with a great experience in the shop. Working here has enabled me to further improve my people skills as well as my problem solving and other essential skills for work.

Customer Assistant/Team Leader at Morrisons Supermarket (2020-01 – 2021-12)

Currently, I am working at Morrisons supermarket part-time whilst also attending university. My role is predominantly working with colleagues and customers throughout my whole shift. I am often used as a replacement for team leaders on checkouts where I lead the team of people in helping customers, running breaks and overall ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

This has given me a further advantage and forced me to face all different types of problems and adapt to change and make solutions quickly.

Childminder at Cwtch Ni (2021-01 – 2021-12)

As my placement for my university course I volunteer in a childminding setting. Here I held many responsibilities and ensure that what I learn in my course I apply. I learnt everyday in this placement and thoroughly loved volunteering.

2 year olds room lead at Willow Daycare (2021-01 – 2024-12)

As room lead of the 2-year-olds in Willow Daycare, I gained responsibility for looking after the children as well as my team of staff.

Willow

Daycare is a large and busy nursery so this enabled me to learn about providing high-quality childcare for all children as well as learning how to lead a team - I helped in building routine, creating strong bonds with children, and creating engaging and inviting play experiences for all children and overall safeguarding. During my degree, I was learning and expanding my knowledge about the new curriculum and by taking this role I was able to immerse myself into the practical side. I was responsible in the planning and organisation of activities as well as leading staff to do the same. This was a role I absolutely loved, all aspects of the role I found interesting and exciting. I enjoyed working as part of a team to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to children and also enjoyed the responsibility of being involved in creating and shaping the best start in life for the children. As a key worker for children, I loved engaging with families and helping in aiding the children to do their best.

Deputy Manager at Willow Daycare (2024-01 – Present)

As deputy manager of Willow Daycare I am responsible in helping the manager in overseeing the overall running of the nursery. I am responsible for opening and closing the nursery, running the nursery on days that the manager is absent. This is a lot of responsibility but it is something I love.

Providing children with high standards of care does not just mean in the rooms - it also means ensuring that ratios are being met, rooms are suitably covered, qualifications are correct and that the nursery always meets the national minimum standards.

• Signing in and out of children, rotas and registers
• Reviewing and writing policies and procedures
• Covering and helping out the rooms
• Supporting all staff and providing a safe and inviting place for staff wellbeing
• Reviewing room layouts linking to curriculum and observing children

GCSEs in General Education – Queen Elizabeth High School (2013-01 – 2020-12)

A-Levels in Sociology, Welsh Bacc, Biology – Queen Elizabeth High School

BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status – University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Postgraduate Diploma in Developmental and Therapeutic play – Swansea University