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
New South Wales
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
Fletcher, NSW
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
Pyree, NSW
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
Wiseman Ferry, NSW
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