Meet Sinead Finnerty – Early Learning and Care Tutor at Portobello Institute

Sinead Finnerty brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as an Early Learning and Care tutor at Portobello Institute.

With over two decades of dedication to the early years sector, Sinead’s journey is one of continuous learning, personal growth, and a deep commitment to nurturing both young children and adult learners.

Sinead brings her expertise to students on our Certificate in Early Learning and Care at level 5 QQI Level 5 and Advanced Certificate in Early Learning & Care – QQI Level 6 courses.

Educational Background

Sinead holds an Honours level 8 degree and a Master’s Level 9 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education from Portobello Institute.

Her decision to pursue this educational pathway was driven by a blend of career aspirations, personal development, and intellectual curiosity.

Having started her journey as a Montessori Teacher at level 6, she was determined to upskill and deepen her understanding of child learning and psychology.

Her studies with Portobello Institute have equipped her with a robust foundation in child development, learning theories, and effective pedagogical practices - knowledge she now shares with her students at Portobello Institute.

Career Journey

Following some time in hairdressing, Sinead’s career in early years began organically when she was invited to assist in a Montessori setting while raising her children.

This experience sparked a lasting interest in the Montessori philosophy and the broader early years education sector.

She progressed from Montessori Practitioner to Room Leader, and continued her studies to achieve a major award and continued to successfully open and run her own setting.

Her commitment to inclusive education led her to complete an SNA course and train as an Inclusion Co-ordinator through the Link Programme.

Recognising the evolving demands of the sector, Sinead returned to higher education to expand her opportunities and deepen her expertise studying her degree and master's with Portobello Institute.

Today, she balances her role as a tutor with running her own Montessori setting, demonstrating her dedication to both practical and academic aspects of early years education.

A Day in the Life

Sinead’s day begins at 8:30am in her Montessori setting, where she works until 1:00pm. She then transitions into family duties before preparing for her classes at Portobello Institute. Her responsibilities include lesson planning, teaching adult learners, and grading assignments - each task carried out with care and precision.

Skills and Strengths

Sinead believes that being an effective early years practitioner and tutor requires a diverse skill set. Her key strengths include:

• Communication – Strong verbal and non-verbal skills for engaging with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Patience – Essential for working with learners of all ages and abilities.
• Empathy – Creating a nurturing environment by understanding emotional needs.
• Creativity – Designing engaging and fun learning experiences.
• Organisational Skills – Planning activities and managing progress effectively.
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Enthusiasm – Inspiring learners through positivity and passion.
• Problem-Solving – Thinking on her feet to address challenges.
• Flexibility – Adapting to the dynamic nature of early years and adult education.

What She Loves Most

For Sinead, the most rewarding aspect of her role is building trust and support with her students. By sharing her own experiences and lessons learned, she helps students feel understood and confident in their own journeys.

Looking Ahead

Sinead is committed to ongoing professional development. Her future goals include learning new skills to enhance her roles as both a tutor and Montessori practitioner. She is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in adult education and is eager to continue making a meaningful impact.

Her Role at Portobello Institute

Sinead views her role at Portobello Institute as a continuous learning experience. She is enthusiastic about applying new skills to her teaching and sees tutoring as a natural progression in her career. Her aim is to provide students with academic guidance, human connection, and consistency - values she holds at the heart of her teaching philosophy.

If you you are interested in studying Early Years at Portobello Institute visit our faculty here.