Mandy Portlock
Bobs Farm,NSW
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with a desire to take on a new challenge. I have a strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. My philosophy sits in line with attachment theory and the practice of relationships as fundamental to best outcomes for children, educators and families. I am interested in 'Bush Kindy' programs and connecting children and educators with nature. I have a passion for social inclusion and elevating Early Learning sector through advocacy.
I am a keen collaborator and regularly attend Tomaree Peninsula Early Education Network Group and the Transition to School Newtork also. I have established relationships with Murrook and Koori Colours and have a strong network of EC professionals with whom I consult regularly.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Centre Director
Goodstart Early Learning
Nelson Bay, NSW
04.2010 - Current
- This is a 59 place Long Day Care Centre catering for children 6 weeks - school entry. The centre has 4 rooms and provides all meals. Staff team of 19 people.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Maintained open communication with team members and stakeholders, resulting in successful project outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new opportunities.
- I have attached my current position description and performance framework for a more comprehensive view of my current responsibilities and skills.
Preschool Teacher
ABC Early Education and Care
Nelson Bay, NSW
03.2006 - 12.2007
- This is a 59 place centre catering for children 6 weeks - school entry.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Facilitated group play activities that encouraged collaboration among students.
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, learning, meals and naps.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Met with parents to discuss children's development and progress
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices for early childhood education.
- Adapted instructional methods based on individual student needs.
- Communicated with parents regularly to update children's progress, schedule meetings, share ideas and challenges to achieve best outcomes for children and families.
- Observed children to record development.
- Conducted classroom activities to stimulate physical, mental, and social development of preschool students.
- Led story time sessions designed to promote literacy skills among young learners.
- Maintained student records according to rigorous confidentiality and privacy regulations.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
- Read stories to children and taught painting, drawing, and crafts.
- Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, directors and therapists.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Planned and completed group projects, working smoothly with others.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Maintained schedule of class assignments to meet deadlines.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
Centre Director
Banzai Preschool & Long Day Care
Forrester's Beach
08.2004 - 04.2006
- This service is a 39 place Long Day Care Centre catering for children 2 years - school entry. It was a new build and initial license.
- Liaison with Department of Community Services during initial licensing and compilation of licensing package. On-going and re-licensing visits.
- Comprehensive knowledge of and ensured compliance with principles relation to Accreditation, Regulations and Child Protection.
- Thorough understanding of all aspects of QIAS
- Preparation of Self Study documents in preparation for validation visit.
- All administration duties including CCB, BAS, Payroll and payment of accounts.
- Thorough understanding of management position and team leadership including relevant awards, recruitment, rostering and ongoing performance evaluation.
- Selection and purchase of all teaching aids and centre equipment to create an environment rich in learning opportunities and wit a likelihood to develop positive self esteem through developing autonomy.
- Development of centre philosophy, policies, procedures and programs
- Selection and recruitment of staff team along with ongoing support staff through supervision, professional guidance and development opportunities
- Planning and implementing procedures that lead to effective interpersonal relationships between staff.
- Comprehensive knowledge of child development.
- Initiating and implementing progressive play and outcomes based planning, programming and evaluating.
- Identifying appropriate learning outcomes for children and staff
- Organisation of and participation in staff meetings, centre events and broader community engagement
- Budgeting effectively in regard to resources and labour
- Ensure compliance with 'Code of Conduct" at all times.
Lead Preschool Teacher
Wamberal Preschool, Kindergarten
Wamberal, NSW
01.2004 - 10.2004
- This service is a 50 place Long Day Centre catering for children from 2 years - School entry
- Initiating and implementation of new procedures associated with Emergent Curriculum philosophies as outlined in the NSW Curriculum Framework Document.
- Planning and implementing a program suitable to the needs and interests of all children within a primary care group.
- Thoughtful interactions with each child that promote their learning by challenging and extending their thinking.
- Establishing and maintaining individual child records based on observation of children's interests, ideas and development in all areas.
- Maintained student records according to rigorous confidentiality and privacy regulations.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss students' progress and areas of strength.
- Incorporated music, art and theater into lesson planning.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and rules to create safe environment for children.
- Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, directors and therapists.
- Integrated music into everyday activities to foster creativity among students.
- Organised and maintained a safe learning environment for children, including supervision of indoor and outdoor playtime.
Centre Director
Kariong Preschool, Long Day Care
Kariong, NSW
01.2002 - 12.2003
- This service is a 76 place Long Day Care Centre catering for children form 6 weeks to school entry. The centre operates across 4 rooms and provides all meals.
- Comprehensive knowledge of and ensured compliance with principles relation to Accreditation, Regulations and Child Protection.
- Complete management of centre including all staffing, rostering, awards, payroll, workplace health and safety, and general human resources.
- Oversee all staff planning and implementation of a program suitable to the needs and interests of children.
- Act as centre float for up to 3 hours per day allowing opportunity for mentoring, feedback and educator goal setting and monitoring.
- Parent liaison and community involvement.
- Working with a variety of EC professionals through varying skill level.
- Scheduling responsibilities of staff.
- Assisting staff in developing daily, weekly and yearly work plans.
- Ensure compliance with 'Code of Ethics' at all times.
Preschool Lead Teacher
Murwillumbah Children's Centre
Murwillumbah, NSW
07.2000 - 12.2001
- This service is a 36 place Long Day Care centre catering for children from 2 years - school entry.
- Comprehensive knowledge of and ensured compliance with principles relation to Accreditation, Regulations and Child Protection.
- Responsible for the care and education of children within a team structure.
- Develop appropriate goals in accordance with children's individual needs and specific family requests, customs and requests.
- Planning and implementing a reflective program with active participation of other members of the teaching team, support or itinerant staff or family members.
- Conducted small group activities encouraging cooperation among peers while developing problem solving skills.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Promoted language development skills through storytelling, singing songs and reading books aloud.
- Development of Individual Enrichment Programs for children where required in collaboration with families, other professionals and Centre Director.
- Provision of written developmental records for families.
- Provide professional support, input and resources for other members of the teaching team.
- Assume responsibility for the centre as Temporary Authorised Supervisor in the absence of the Director/ licensee.
- Organisation of special events and visitors to the service.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Centre Director
Kids World
Runaway Bay, QLD
02.1999 - 03.2000
- This is a 56 place Long Day Care Centre catering for children from 6 weeks - school entry. The centre also provided Before & After school care services for up to 10 additional children each time slot. Vacation care occurred over the holidays for up to 12 children per day.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Accreditation, Regulations, State Awards, Child Care Benefit, Department of Family Services procedures, departmental licensing and child protection legislation.
- Cultivated and maintained relationships to promote positive work culture.
- Planning, scheduling and executing administration responsibilities.
- Enrolling children and families in to the service.
- Purchase of equipment and supplies while managing budgets.
- Arranging for building maintenance and equipment repairs as required.
- Handling petty cash.
- Evaluation own work as the CD and setting professional goals.
- Development of position descriptions for staff.
- Recruitment, rostering and performance review with team members. Developing improvement plans where required.
- Development of family communications such as newsletters, etc.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers by responding promptly to inquiries or complaints.
- Implemented successful business strategies to increase revenue and target new markets.
- Facilitated collaboration between teams by encouraging open communication channels.
Education
Bachelor of Early Childhood (Honors) - Early Childhood Education
University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus
Ourimbah, NSW12-1997
Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Calm Under Pressure
- Time Management
- Microsoft Office
- Team Management
- Training & Development
- Leadership
- Decision-Making
- Dependable and Responsible
- Communication
- Customer Relations
- Proficient in XAP and QIKkids
Affiliations
- I have a registered pets as therapy dog and enjoy sharing her with adults and children alike. I have seen this have huge benefits for children and educators as she finds her place within the service and creates a gentle calming space.
- I have two grown children and one almost ready for her L's in January 2024.
- I am currently learning to play guitar.
- I enjoy being outdoors and exploring nature and am committed to ongoing sustainability with our littlest people.
- I like experiences rather than 'things' and am always keen to attend the next concert on the agenda with a broad range of taste when it comes to music.
- My guilty pleasure is collecting vinyl albums.
Certification
- Current Working With Children Check (NSW) Expires 09/01/2029
- Current Full First Aid (Expires Aug 2026)
- Current CPR/ Anaphyaxis (Expires August 2024)
- Proficient Teacher (maintenance period complete July 2022)
Professional Development
Over the years I have participated in many professional development opportunities. These include, but are not limited to;
- Family Connections Program 2019
- Crucial Conversations 2019
- Aboriginal Early Childhood Conference 2019 & 2022
- Mental Health First Aid May 2019
- Centre for Community Welfare Training 'Accidental Counsellor' 2 days October 2014
- Good Leadership Program 2019 - 2020 (This is 20 credit points toward MBA)
- Reggio Conference 2019
- Speaking in Colour - Cultural Awareness 2021
- Workshops at Murrook Culture Centre Annual 2018 - 2023
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Centre Director
Goodstart Early Learning
04.2010 - Current
Preschool Teacher
ABC Early Education and Care
03.2006 - 12.2007
Centre Director
Banzai Preschool & Long Day Care
08.2004 - 04.2006
Lead Preschool Teacher
Wamberal Preschool, Kindergarten
01.2004 - 10.2004
Centre Director
Kariong Preschool, Long Day Care
01.2002 - 12.2003
Preschool Lead Teacher
Murwillumbah Children's Centre
07.2000 - 12.2001
Centre Director
Kids World
02.1999 - 03.2000
Bachelor of Early Childhood (Honors) - Early Childhood Education
University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus