Hello! My name is Carmen. I have experience working in a primary school, mainly with children with special needs and behavioural struggles. I enjoy taking care of all children, an would especially enjoy the opportunity to look after a child with special needs, or a child who struggles with their behaviour. This is because I am autistic myself, and have valuable skills in effective communication with children with varying disabilities and additional needs.
I love to travel and love childcare, so one of my dreams is to do them both at the same time! I haven’t worked as an au pair before, I worked for a year as a Teacher’s Assistant in a primary school, spending most of my time with children aged 4-8. I then worked as a Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Teacher’s Assistant. I spent 1 year working 1-to-1 with a child with Down’s Syndrome, which I loved. I have also spent time alone and in small groups with children with other additional needs and disabilities, including autism, ADHD, hearing/sight impairments, and behavioural struggles. I worked as a tutor after school during this time, teaching maths and reading to children aged 6-8 in small groups. I have training and experience in safeguarding, autism, emotional learning support assistance (ELSA), teaching some subjects (maths, phonics, English and reading), and outdoor learning.