What’s your name?
Hello, I’m Avril Ross and I’m a Childcare Practitioner at Fintry Mains in Dundee. I work in the Willow room for the 0-2year olds.
What qualifications / how many years of experience do you have?
I’ve been working in childcare for 4 years, I qualified with an SVQ Social Services (Children and Young people) in 2020. I also have a NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification in Understanding Autism and I also hold a paediatric first aid qualification.
What does an average day look like and what types of activities do you do?
No two days are the same and that is what I love about my job. In the Willow room we love to get messy and explore sensory play, cuddle up with a story, role play in our home corner and explore our wonderful outdoor space.
Give me an example of some of the challenges you face?
Most of the children that start in the 0-2 room are experiencing their first nursery journey, they can be quite unsettled as this is a big transition for them and their parents and carers.
How do you respond to these challenges?
I love getting to know the children and their families and a big part of my job is ensuring children and families feel safe and welcomed. I spend lots of one on one time with children to create a close bond and watch them grow into confident young people.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The 0-2 age group is such a special age and children grow and develop so quickly, it is a privilege to get to be part of those “first” moments.
What made you choose a career in childcare?
I previously worked in retail and wanted to find a career that fulfilled me, I am quite a creative person and a big child at heart so tried my hand at childcare instantly fell in love with it. I love spending every day doing a job I am passionate about.
What’s TV series are you watching / what show would you recommend and why?
Outlander! It is absolutely fantastic, I have visited a few of the filming locations in Scotland too. If you haven’t watched it I highly recommend it!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
A Spice Girl? Honestly, I didn’t know! I studied media after I left school then worked in retail and hospitality for a while but I never truly knew what I wanted. I’m so happy to have found a career I love and that not only fulfils me but also challenges me daily, you can never become bored in the childcare sector.
