April Prior
Summary
I am a proud Wiradjuri/ Worimi women who has been involved with DCJ for the past almost 21 years. Caring for children within both out of home care and child protection sectors. the children i have cared for have both severe high needs and mental health issues. i am an organized and dependable person who successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. I am hardworking and passionate with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level position. Ready to help team achieve company while furthering my chosen carer. I am Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Authorized Foster Carer
Department Of Communities And Justice
03.2002 - Current
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
Student Early Childhood Educator
Sanctuary Early Learning
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Communicated with parents and other staff about student progress.
- Implemented developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for children, creating positive, and safe classroom environments.
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
- Maintained and fostered positive and constructive interactions with staff, families, and children.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Enhanced sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory development, by employing both traditional and modern educational strategies and techniques.
- Promoted physical, academic, and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
Head Waitress
Butter Factory Restaurant
05.2010 - 02.2014
- Upheld high standards of professionalism when dealing with customer issues, supporting serving staff, and waiting on tables.
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Trained staff members on use of POS system.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials, and took drink orders.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Printed dining checks with total due, collected payment and offered receipts to complete transactions.
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Checked guests' identification before serving alcoholic beverages.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Processed orders and sent to kitchen employees for preparation.
- Supported needs of 15 person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for weddings and silver service restaurant
Maitre D'
Wiseman's Ferry Country Retreat
10.2004 - 01.2009
- Served as leader of FOH team by assigning duties, work stations and responsibilities.
- Greeted guests, escorted to dining tables and provided menu and information about restaurant to encourage seamless flow of service.
- Created environment for guests to stimulate senses through personal services and amenities and followed up throughout meal to reinforce positive experience.
- Maintained sanitary and organized work environment by implementing and executing safe food handling, food service and cleaning procedures.
- Trained new hostesses on customer service best practices and restaurant policies to maintain high standards of service.
- Accommodated special seating requests for guests to enhance satisfaction.
- Supported servers, food runners, and bussers with keeping dining area ready for every guest.
- Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
- Relayed guest comments or suggestions to manager on duty for further action.
- Worked with front of house staff to move tables and adjust seating to accommodate groups with special requests.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Assigned patrons to tables suitable for needs and restaurant section rotation.
- Cultivated positive guest relations by managing information and orchestrating speedy seating.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Monitored seating area and checked restrooms regularly to keep spotless.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Developed and maintained up-to-date knowledge of menu items and daily specials to accurately respond to customer queries.
- Provided adequate supply of place settings for tables and miscellaneous supplies for work stations to last throughout assigned shift.
- Used cash registers and credit card machines to cash out customers.
- Motivated staff to perform at peak efficiency and quality.
- Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
- Inspected equipment and machinery for proper working condition and directed staff to clean and repair as needed.
- Purchased food and cultivated strong vendor relationships.
- Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Developed unique events and special promotions to drive sales.
- Monitored and adjusted pricing, discounts and promotions to maximize profitability.
- Coordinated with catering staff to deliver food services for special events and functions.
Education
First Aid - First Aid
Bomaderry Tafe
Bomaderry, NSWHospitality Certificate 4 - Aussie Host/ Hospitality
Bomaderry Tafe
Bomaderry, NSWNo Degree - Child Development
My Forever Family
Newcastle, NSW10.2023
No Degree - Childhood Trauma
Department of Communities And Justice
Nowra, NSW07.2016
Certificate III - Residential Food And Family Service
Bomaderry Tafe
Bomaderry, NSW2015
No Degree - Social Work
Western Sydney University
Sydney, NSW2004
High School Diploma -
Shoalhaven High School
Nowra, NSW11.1997
Skills
- Recordkeeping
- Cultural Awareness
- Decision-Making
- Customer Service
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Google Drive
- Relationship Building
- Multitasking Abilities
- Social Perceptiveness
- Conflict Resolution
- Organizational Skills
Hobbies
I enjoy meeting new people, music, reading, spending time with family and friends, and working with my ferrets. I
References
Debbie Roberts : JD Automotive Medowie 0407106493
Jay Holt: Royal Australian Air-Force 0473345138
Kate Birks : Child Protection Caseworker 02 49580100
Elizabeth Purdiche: Early Childhood Educator 04090765986
Timeline
Student Early Childhood Educator
Sanctuary Early Learning
08.2021 - 04.2022
Head Waitress
Butter Factory Restaurant
05.2010 - 02.2014
Maitre D'
Wiseman's Ferry Country Retreat
10.2004 - 01.2009
Authorized Foster Carer
Department Of Communities And Justice
03.2002 - Current
First Aid - First Aid
Bomaderry Tafe
Hospitality Certificate 4 - Aussie Host/ Hospitality
Bomaderry Tafe
No Degree - Child Development
My Forever Family
No Degree - Childhood Trauma
Department of Communities And Justice
Certificate III - Residential Food And Family Service
Bomaderry Tafe
No Degree - Social Work
Western Sydney University
High School Diploma -
Shoalhaven High School
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