Laura Stewart

As a dedicated Early Years Practitioner with 20 years of experience, I am committed to fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment indoor and outdoor. Passionate about promoting a love for learning, I continuously strive to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere where every child can thrive and reach their full potential. I enjoy spending time my own children, friends and family and supporting local businesses and culture.

Early Years Practitioner - Highland Council

(2008-10)

• Planning and implementing engaging learning activities that promoted the physical, emotional, and social development of children
• I work closely with parents and guardians to ensure a confidential professional and friendly approach to each child's growth and learning, maintaining open communication and providing regular updates on progress through weekly updates on class dojo, daily interactions at drop off and pick up and individual profiles updating 'all about me' Direct Overviews, evidencing and recording child's individual progress and development, next steps, ongoing needs forms.
• Communication working with other professionals - Heath visitor, Speech and language therapists, child psychologist many more, practing guidance with GIRFEC
• I also ensured a safe and nurturing environment, adhering to health and safety regulations and promoting positive behaviour indoor and outdoors.
• My role requires working with colleagues as a team and on my own to create a stimulating and inclusive setting that catered to the diverse needs of all children, fostering their curiosity and love for learning and building friendships, evidenced in floor books online program linked with E's and O's
• Respectfully and enthusiastically willingness taking on new approaches and ideas from management and other professionals
• keeping up-to date training requirements from Highland CounciL certificates in First Aid, Child Protection, food handling and registered with SSSC

Pupil Support assistant - Highland council

(2009-09 - 2017-06)

• I effectively collaborated with teachers and educational staff to provide a supportive learning environment for students.
• My roles involved assisting with the implementation of individual education plans, monitoring student progress, and offering one-on-one support to pupils with diverse learning needs.
• I played a key role in maintaining a positive classroom atmosphere by employing various behaviour management strategies and fostering an inclusive setting for all students.
• Additionally, I engaged in regular communication with parents and guardians to ensure consistent support and updates on student development.
• also included preparing educational materials, aiding in classroom organisation, and participating in team meetings to discuss student progress.

Supervisor of Daycare and Nursery - Phonix Nursery

(2004-06 - 2008-06)

As a Supervisor at a Phoenix Daycare and Nursery, I was responsible for overseeing the daily tasks of running the daycare and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children 6 months babies - 12 year olds and staff.

• My role involves creating and managing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage ratio at all times
• As well as coordinating activities that promote the physical, emotional, and educational development of the children.
• I was tasked with maintaining open communication with parents and guardians, addressing any concerns they might have, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and safety standards.
• Additionally, I was involved in training and mentoring staff, implementing policies to enhance the quality of care provided.
• My role involves a hands-on approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement of nursery
• Also provided additional needs care during school holidays, careing for children and families with significant additional requirements.

Advance Diploma - Child Psychology and development - Inverness College (2021-09 - 2022-09)

SVQ3 - Childcare in Education and Development - Inverness College (2004-09 - 2005-09)

NQ Childcare Education and Development - Childcare Education and Development - Inverness College - UHI (2002-09 - 2003-06)

Higher - Mathematics and Numeracy - Inverness College (2001-09 - 2002-06)

Intermediate 2 - Childcare and development - Inverness College (2001-09 - 2002-06)

GCSE - English, Mathematics, science, P.E, History, French, Home Economics - Lochaber High School (1997-08 - 2001-06)