Sandra Cockeran

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Dear Sir/Madam 

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION OF SANDRA COCKERAN 

Introduction to ECD Specialist, and Preschool Business Manager - Sandra Cockeran

Dear Hiring Manager

With more than three decades of dedicated experience in Early Childhood Development (ECD) Education, I hold a master's degree in education and possess expertise in people management, progressive and constructivist curriculum design, lecturing, training, teaching and school management. My career goals encompass overseeing ECD pre-primary school groups in a business manager role, providing mentorship and support for principals and expanding my experience into preparatory settings. Proficient in preparing and delivering ECD workshops, lectures, and training, I have successfully pioneered three ECD schools and a primary school Aftercare Centre.

Throughout my leadership journey, intentional inclusion and support for neurodiverse learners have been paramount to me. Advocating for an inclusive environment, I ensure the growth of students, staff, teachers, and clients through collaborative partnerships. As an Executive Head, I take full responsibility for overall delivery, navigating challenges, providing counselling, and supporting school communities to achieve optimal results.

In my previous role overseeing a team of 50 staff and 270 learners, I promoted team cooperation, encouraged personal empowerment, and maximised skill utilisation, significantly contributing to a positive work environment. Successfully replicating these efforts in my leadership at two other schools was pivotal in achieving a 200% increase in enrolment at each institution and definitive learner and family retention. Additionally, I have demonstrated strong financial management skills and business acumen, saving my last company a substantial annual expenditure of R 200, 000. 00, contributing to the balancing of the overall budget.

With experience on school boards and reporting to EXCO, I diligently uphold each school company's vision, mission, and values whilst strategically working towards optimal outcomes. Meticulous about accountability, I proficiently report on team progress. Beyond administrative capabilities, I am passionate about creating organised, tidy and harmonious environments. My leadership style is defined by grace, fairness, and kindness, fostering a positive and motivated team or school group.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with your institution's goals. Thank you for considering my application, and I eagerly anticipate the possibility of contributing to your institution.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with your institution's goals. Thank you for considering my application, and I eagerly anticipate the possibility of contributing to your institution.

Sandra Cockeran (M. Ed.)

"People, Passion, Positivity, Integrity and Teamwork!” 

EXPERIENCE Executive Head – Curro Bryanston for Curro Holdings (PTY) Ltd.

Listed company – Standalone school. January 2018 to June 2022 (269 learners and 50 staff)

• Successfully managed, developed, and directed all school operations with a team of fifty (50) staff.
• Climate assessment. Implemented change management and a new culture by means of relevant policies and procedures to develop staff, children, and the school, realigning values. 
• Full-time pastoral care and counsel for all staff, parents, and children in conjunction with the pastor she brought on board and the therapy team for inclusion and support of all specific learning disabilities.
• Supported and counselled all parents, bridging the gap between staff, therapists and other schools where required.
• Casual consultant for the group of nursery school principals; received many calls, visits and questions.
• Implemented a Therapy Team for early intervention. Creating a balance of mainstreaming mild developmental concerns and referring families until children could be placed appropriately, by default building a bridge with the family in question and the wider community and supporting all stakeholders.
• Used therapy team to develop staff in-house and school community in, knowledge, tolerance, and action in the classroom, in the home, and in the greater community.
• Social responsibility: developed community awareness and involvement in outreaches for baby and children’s homes and adult places of safety. 
• Training and leadership development enabled and empowered staff to act quicker and smarter for the good; the school developed from 215 learners to 269 learners in one year.
• Finance:  Annual budget planning, and five-to-ten-year plans with short, medium, and long-term goals. 
• Improved cash flow and finances by instituting regular stock takes, opening accounts for deliveries (paper trail), arranging purchase cards with accounts for key suppliers as well as requisition policy for all staff thereby eliminating a need for petty cash handling or crises management.
• Upheld and insisted on the debit-order system to eliminate late payments, or payments made by eft, cash, or card, always ensuring healthy cash flow. School and management performance EBITDAR driven.
• Continuous follow-through with the bursar to ensure the prevention of accounts going beyond 30 days.
• Comprehensive annual reporting on the performance Exco Board annually.
• Ensured regular meetings took place for all sectors (staff, clients, diversity, projects, MERC, PTA, etc.) of the school, to ensure consistent intentional feedback, direction, and progress. 
• Arranged an in-house counselor for all stakeholders. Where required, personally involved in the counsel of staff, clients, and children to ensure a cohesive environment.
• Regular delegation with expected accountability. Hands-on mentorship and on-the-job training for all stakeholders. Management by means of job descriptions and support of SMT team:  Reception/ P.A; Bursar; Nurse; Marketer; Deputy Principal and Property manager. Implementation of a junior management team (JMT) with project heads to support each section of the school whilst aiming towards a flat leadership structure within the school, for accountability within teams.
• Implementation of a new Curiosity Approach Curriculum (UK affiliate) with facilitates and construction upgrade of classrooms and playgrounds with various teams by default attracting new clients, being ahead in trend, and having a further reach on the community compared to other preschools.
• Ensuring the proper implementation and consistency of curriculum programmes such as Grade R robotics, foundation phase STEM, Preschool ELDAS, and OBE curriculum, Extra Murals, etc. for a balanced and holistic childhood development and parent experience.
• Creation of Baby Hub to create a sense of a smaller, sterile, and intimate space for first-time families with babies.  Appointed a nurse as the Baby Hub specialist to oversee the team of ten staff; improving and securing intake of little ones to feed into the higher preschool classrooms, by default creating longevity of learner.
• Networking and collaborating with Curro Rivonia to bridge the gap between the foundation phase and primary to ensure learners stay within the brand long term. Networked with schools and facilities in the area for community upliftment and support. Guided and managed the school calendar, newsletter, website, and all social media to always ensure a professional operation and reputation with robust communication.  Maintained a hygienic environment and program through various policies, suppliers, and practices implemented, by default creating a powerful and trusted reputation for the health and wellbeing of our learners, staff, and community.

Implemented various systems to ensure a safe space/school, throughout Covid with all PPE compliance, by default ensuring a quick turnaround for children reentering our school after lockdown; the school regained momentum from 60 children initially returning to 270 learners within six months.

Reason for leaving I am ready for more growth and development.  Relocation to the Western Cape. 

Master of Education (M.Ed) completed 15 August 2023