Our staff spotlight is shining on Zoe Cox this August!
During term time, Zoe is the Deputy Manager of our West Berkshire Centre.
Added to her duties at the centre, this summer holidays Zoe is part of a team of staff that are running the Dingley’s Promise Remote Learning Summer Support Programme; ensuring that children with SEND are not left behind this summer.
We caught up with Zoe to get to know her a little better and find out how her summer has been so far:
What is your role at Dingley’s Promise?
Deputy Manager at our West Berkshire Centre.
How are you supporting children and families from your centre (and others) over the summer holidays?
We are offering a garden stay and play session every Tuesday morning during August at the West Berkshire Centre and every Thursday morning at our Reading Centre.
We are running Zoom sessions with parents/carers covering a range of topics such as sleeping, potty training and using visuals, as well as offering family zoom sessions which involve singing, stories and bubbles! We have also been having weekly phone calls and email communications with parents, although this is by request of individual families.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Dingley’s Promise?
I love being a part of each child’s journey, and supporting them as they learn new skills and celebrating the big and small progresses they make. I enjoy every day as it’s always different, and we always like to have fun!
Could you talk about your background in the Early years sector?
I started working with children with additional needs in 2010 as a playworker for West Berkshire Mencap. There, I worked with children from the ages of 5 – 18 years old, with a range of disabilities. I gained lots of knowledge and experience on how to support children with additional needs, but wanted to expand my knowledge and work with children in the early years. I applied for a job at Dingley’s Promise and wasn’t successful, but I still wanted to learn more so asked if I could volunteer and began volunteering once a week. Then, once another job came up, I applied again, and was successful!
I have now been working for Dingley’s Promise for 4 and a half years and have gained a lot of knowledge of early years education and insight into the importance of early intervention. I am now the Deputy Manager at the West Berks Centre and have qualified in Level 3 Health and Social Care, the Children and Young People Workforce Diploma and as an Early Years Educator.
In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?
I have two children, a 7 year old who I make dens and do crafts with, and a 2 year old who loves trains! He has a speech delay, so I have been using my knowledge and experience from working at Dingley’s Promise to support his communication, which has been beneficial for our whole family.
My friends and family are very important to me too, so if I’m not with my children I’m out for dinner with them.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Bubbly, Caring, confident
If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world, where would you go? (Once it is safe to of course!)
I would love to go to Disney world, it’s on my bucket list!
Thanks Zoe!
