Andy Churchill

I have always had a passion for young children, and have worked in varying roles looking after and educating young children for over 15 years, starting with babysitting, then nannying, a diploma trained childcare worker and then moving on to being a teacher's aide for the lower levels of primary school.

Of all of these, nannying is where I found myself the most engaged, inspired, challenged and happy.

My passion is providing fun and engaging activities for the little ones in my care, whist unbeknownst to them, providing educational opportunities at every turn.

Full NSW Drivers Licence plus own car

Non smoker, non drinker.

Previous first name: Dianne

• Child Care Student of the Year, Bedford College

 Awarded for highest grades in the year

• Angel of the Month, Dial an Angel

Excellence Awards -  Received twice.

• Randwick City Council Youth Award

- in the area of Community Service

• Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
• Date of Birth: 03/13/81
• Willing to obtain all necessary checks and certificates related to child care work

• Pamela Jabbour - 0410 508 427
• Rachael Cordina, Written Reference
• Nerida Dalton, Written Reference
• Tony Pearson, Written Reference
• Kirsty Plavsic, Written Reference
• Gemma Banfield, Written Reference

• Photography
• Dancing tango
• Gardening
• Interior decorating/styling/architecture/design
• Painting and creative arts
• Picnincing
• Reading
• Op shopping
• Hoping to get an ebike soon

My personal beliefs about children and early childhood:

I believe that children are inexperienced people who need us not to teach them but to guide their self-motivated thirst for experience and understanding of their world.

I believe that children, as people of this earth, have rights and developmentally appropriate responsibilities.

I believe parents are the child’s first teachers. Children place their utmost trust and belief in their parents; in what they say, do, and in how they approach life.

I believe learning experiences can be found and enhanced in almost all everyday experiences, from measurement and fractions in cooking experiences, to early literacy skills in role-play situations.

I believe that there is so much more to early literacy skills than just letter recognition and rote learning the alphabet, and more to early mathematical skills than just numeral recognition and being able to count.

I believe children should have a connection with the natural environment as much as the built environment. Learning about, and how to care for nature, is important.

I believe that we live in a technologically advanced era and those certain technologies, when used appropriately, have a place and are needed, in a well-rounded education.

I similarly believe that there is much to be learnt from the past and that it, and it’s sometimes referred to as ‘out dated’ ideas, also have a place in today's early childhood education.

I believe that we live in a western culture of convenience and mass production. One where plastic dominates and the beauty of nature and natural products are pushed aside for cheaper alternatives. One where children are exposed to multitudes of plastic toys that can only be used in specific ways, therefore limiting the open-ended possibilities for imagination and further learning.

I believe we live in a multi-cultural world. A world in which, with today’s technologies, lies not only at our doorstep, but also at our fingertips; one that should be explored, not only to find differences, but also similarities.

I believe a child’s learning is multi faceted and should be approached from a holistic angle. I also believe learning experiences should try to engage the five senses and take the child’s natural learning style into consideration.

I believe in children’s endless ability to imitate what they see, hear and experience. It is therefore important to behave accordingly and provide the children with positive role models in ourselves and those we chose to interact with the children.

I believe that social skills are just as important as literacy and numeracy when it comes to school readiness.