Sarah Cunningham
Dublin
Summary
Dedicated and passionate early childhood education professional with a Level 8 qualification. I am a compassionate individual with extensive experience working with children in early years settings. I develop and maintain strong partnerships with parents, teachers and snas to facilitate day-to-day caring of children wherever i go and I am committed to making a positive impact on young people's lives.
I am reliable, focused and eager to to apply knowledge and gain practical experience.
My encounters with children, parents, and coworkers have helped me to build exceptional communication skills. I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment where every child feels valued and understood. Personalized learning experiences that foster the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children can be crafted by taking into account their individual requirements, interests, and developmental stage. I would bring a repertoire of innovative teaching methods and activities that can engage young learners and stimulate their curiosity
Dedicated Early Intervention Teacher with over two years of experience supporting children with autism and additional needs. Started as a Tutor and progressed to Class Teacher, demonstrating strong commitment and professional growth. Experienced in creating supportive learning environments, implementing individual learning plans, and working collaboratively with families and multidisciplinary teams to help students achieve their goals.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Class Tutor / Class Teacher
Pals Preschool
2024.08 - Current
- Manage day-to-day running of early intervention classroom.
- Supported children with autism to develop communication, social, and learning skills. AAC device and PECS used daily with children.
- Implemented behaviour support strategies and responded to behavioural concerns as they arose.
- Built positive relationships with students and supported their emotional regulation and wellbeing.
- Communicated regularly with parents, therapists, and multidisciplinary team members regarding student progress and needs.
- Planned and delivered individualized and group learning activities.
- Monitored student progress and maintained accurate records.
Retail assistant
Penneys
Dublin, Dublin
2017.09 - Current
- Delivered outstanding in-store experience through positive and attentive customer service.
- Continually replenished stock in line with sales records, keeping well-maintained, presentable item displays.
- Greeted customers and offered assistance with selecting merchandise, finding accessories and completing purchases.
- Assisted in stock replenishment to maintain store appearance.
- Resolved customer complaints and process issues with proactive problem-solving skills.
- Helped setup special events and promotional activities within store.
- Maintained clean shop floor, promoting welcoming environment.
- Resolved conflicts effectively, maintaining harmonious workplace environment.
Early years teaching assistant( Placement)
Mother of Divine Grace
, Dublin
2024.01 - 2024.04
- Established constructive relationships with parents, snas and guardians.
- Supported teacher managing classroom of 22 pupils.
- Created and maintained purposeful, orderly and supportive environment.
- Used expert organisational skills to manage time and resources efficiently.
- Assisted in preparing materials for lessons, contributing to efficient class management.
- Assisted in designing engaging lesson plans for pupils incorporating Aistear and Siolta.
- Acted as superb role model, consistently promoting school mission and values.
- Provided support for children with special educational needs, ensuring inclusivity in classroom activities.
Early years assistant (Placement)
Little stars Childcare
Dublin
2023.01 - 2023.04
- Created safe, nurturing environment for children to thrive in.
- Supported each child's emotional and social development, building confidence.
- Ensured child safety at all times whilst participating in activities both inside and outside school setting.
- Provided support to children during transition periods, easing anxiety.
- Observed children closely for any signs of emotional or developmental problems, implementing early intervention strategies when necessary.
- Supported teacher-led group activities fostering team work amongst children.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on early childhood education trends.
Early years educator (placement)
Suantrai Childcare
Dublin
2022.01 - 2022.04
- Designed creative lesson plans tailored to each child's individual learning style.
- Collaborated effectively with colleagues to plan and deliver high-quality educational programmes.
- Developed curiosity and independence, encouraging children to actively play and explore.
- Managed and administered medications and minor first aid treatments, prioritising child safety and wellbeing.
- Supported children's development with learning-through-play activities, aiding social, emotional and educational growth.
- Adopted child-centred approach for fostering independence in learners from early age.
Early years educator (Placement)
Suantrai Childcare
Dublin
2020.01 - 2020.04
- Facilitated holistic child development, creating inclusive learning environment for all pupils.
- Dealt swiftly with challenging behaviour, ensuring minimal disruption to daily routine.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues whilst preparing reports on each child's development.
- Incorporated Aistear and Siolta into daily lesson plans.
Education
BA(Hons) Level 8 - Early Childhood Education
DCU St. Patrick's Campus
Dublin/Ireland 2020.09 - 2024.04
QQI Level 5 - Early Childhood Education
Liberties College
Dublin/Ireland 2019.09 - 2020.05
Skills
- Curriculum Development: Experience in designing and implementing age-appropriate Educational programs like Aistear and Siolta
- Classroom Management: Skilled in creating a structured and supportive classroom environment
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with children, parents, and colleagues, strong skills in engaging with parents through regular updates, meetings, and collaborative goal-setting AAC and PECS trained
- Team Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration with colleagues, support staff, and external professionals
- Assessment: Proficient in observing, recording, and assessing children’s developmental progress
- Differentiation: Ability to adapt teaching methods and materials to meet diverse needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs
- Behavior Management: Techniques for fostering a positive classroom environment and addressing challenging behavior constructively
- Developmental Milestones: In-depth understanding of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social milestones of children from 0-5 years Extensive knowledge of child development theories and practices
Affiliations
- Camogie
- Reading
- Music
- Volunteer Work
Accomplishments
Professional Development: Completed over 4oo hours of professional development in early childhood education, including specialized training in inclusive education and behavioral management over the course of my degree.
I took part in a programme featuring my job called inside Penney's on RTE player, this included one on one interviews and handling situations under pressure and mutli tasking.. effective communication was key here.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Class Tutor / Class Teacher
Pals Preschool
2024.08 - Current
Early years teaching assistant( Placement)
Mother of Divine Grace
2024.01 - 2024.04
Early years assistant (Placement)
Little stars Childcare
2023.01 - 2023.04
Early years educator (placement)
Suantrai Childcare
2022.01 - 2022.04
BA(Hons) Level 8 - Early Childhood Education
DCU St. Patrick's Campus
2020.09 - 2024.04
Early years educator (Placement)
Suantrai Childcare
2020.01 - 2020.04
QQI Level 5 - Early Childhood Education
Liberties College
2019.09 - 2020.05
Retail assistant
Penneys
2017.09 - Current