About Me

I am Gill and I see myself as a good all rounder who loves children and has great empathy with them.  I am jolly, patient and like children to have fun and be interactive.  I am good at ‘thinking on my feet’ and can adjust my activities and delivery to comply with the aptitude and mood of the children I am with.

I have been involved with children’s education, welfare and social activities since I had my own children. 

• I worked in a primary school for many years
• I worked in a school unit for hearing impaired children aged between 2 and 11
• I was a warrented officer with the Guide Association and helped with Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
• I ran craft courses for the Children’s University in Canterbury.
• I am employed as a visitor assistant in a museum and conduct the storytime session there and help with events.

School Visits

I prefer to work with class groups and my presentation would be suitable for Key stage 1 children.

A typical presentation would start with me in character and costume as an Edwardian Nanny (in the vein of Mary Poppins) and pretending that the children are now in my care.  They would be told to sit up, not to slouch and I would inspect them and their hands to make sure they were clean!  I remove my hat and jacket and put on an apron and cap.  I remind them of their behaviour and manners, especially how to address an adult.  I tell the children about life in an Edwardian Nursery and compare it with the way they live today.  I encourage the children to answer my questions and ask their own.  I bring photographs and props for the children to see, I even have a bar of carbolic soap.  I explain about the difference between themselves, the rich children and what poor children would be like.

I can then introduce another topic such as Edwardian toys, or seaside holidays.

For example, a seaside holiday theme would encompass why we were about to go on holiday and how it would differ from a visit to the seaside today.  I encourage participation from the children and bring in photographs of life at the seaside in Edwardian times.

I am also happy to visit schools on Book Day when I can read from the book of Mary Poppins.

Testimonials

“We had a wonderful school trip and the 'Edwardian Nanny' talk was definately a highlight!! The children loved everything about it. The costume was brilliant and the talk was very informative. I would recommend your character/talk to any school.”

Emma Poad, Assistant Head, Walderslade School.