Gregory, assistente familiare a Zermatt

I have a wealth of experience of working with children and young people of differing ages and abilities including some with special educational needs. Most of my experience has come from training and working as a primary school teacher, developing an outdoor learning school and being a Nanny in Zermatt. I am also a qualified kayak coach, have coached kayaking, sailing, have work for an outdoor pursuits company, have helped with water sports for the Scout Association and being a cub scout leader.

Whilst working as a Primary School Teacher, Outdoor Leader and Nanny I have learnt that the best strategy for managing behaviour and developing good relationships is for me to be friendly, approachable, firm and fair. With this strategy I gain respect and the children and young people have a more rewarding experience.

When teaching and coaching children and young people in both indoor and outdoor activities, I have found that my style of teaching is leading by example. This includes: punctuality, manners, patience and setting the standards high but at an achievable level. Also having differentiated outcomes depending on individual needs making sure everyone is developed within their capabilities.

Whilst working for the Outdoor Learning Consultancy we provided outdoor based residential learning. For many of the children this was their first taste of the outdoors and I would like to think I made a difference to these young people who I hope now share a passion for the outdoors that I have. We designed activities to be differentiated and inclusive for all children being mindful of health and safety at all times. Activities would range from bush-craft, den building, fire lighting, navigation, low ropes, bouldering and building an awareness of the impact humans are having on the natural landscape and how to minimise our impact on nature. We also offered a variety of sessions on the local beach both on dry land and on the water. Water based activities would consist of: sailing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and stand up paddle boarding. All of which I have had certificates for coaching. I also helped in providing and supporting in staff training, workshops, consultancy and conferences embedding the school’s curriculum.

I am an enthusiastic and passionate lover of the outdoors which has lead me to working in the Alps for the last few years. I am a keen cook and have worked as a chalet host cooking a range of meals and baking cakes for guests. I moved to Zermatt in 2016 and was Resort Manager for Skiworld. I was responsible for setting the standards for cleaning, cooking and hosting the guests as well as general resort operations. This was a challenging job as we worked in small proximity to each other as well as in a small team. I learnt a great deal about managing and leading teams and the inner teacher in me enjoyed sharing my knowledge, supporting and working with the hosts, helping them develop and having the most enjoyable time possible. During a trip out to Zermatt in the summer for some summer skiing, biking, hiking and climbing I met Catherine Brooksmith who runs and owns Alpine Nanny. For this past winter I have worked for Catherine as a Nanny looking after children and young people who are on holiday in Zermatt. My duties have included looking after children and young people before and after their ski lessons, during the day or if the parents wanted their children to go to an activity. With the children and young people, we baked, did arts and craft, watched films, went sledging, walked and generally made sure they had a fun and rewarding time whilst being on holiday. I loved the challenges of working with new children sometimes on a daily basis and how bonds were made. One of the most memorable young people I worked with this winter had Downs Syndrome. She was really shy when I first met her. When I took her back to the chalet at the end of the day she had a smile beaming from ear to ear because we had been sledging and snowballing. Her parents congratulated me as she doesn’t normally warm to strangers and she was instantly comfortable around me. The evening after I had finished working with her I was walking to another job and she was out for a walk with her mum and she came running over to say hello. Her mum said that she has never done that with a non-family member before.

I have no criminal convictions past, present or pending. I have no tattoos or piercings and am a non-smoker.

In addition to my teaching qualifications I have a level 2 certificate in Food and Hygiene and a level 2 certificate in Health and Safety in the Work Place. I am a trained first aider with a level 3 certificate in Outdoor First Aid as well as having a Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid

I hope you me of interest :)