Give a Thumbs Up to Your Early Years Practitioners!

Young child with both thumbs up in the year

On the 18th February 2021, people up and down the country will be taking part in a sector-wide virtual show of thanks and support for all early years practitioners. At All About Children, this movement couldn’t resonate with us more! Here’s why:

Our practitioners helped keep our nurseries open during COVID-19

We are so proud of all of our wonderful nursery practitioners for the hard work and dedication they demonstrate every day, especially throughout the pandemic. Our practitioners went the extra mile to help their local communities and to keep as many nursery facilities open as possible during the first lockdown so that our essential and key workforce could carry on working. A big thumbs up to all our volunteers and staff who helped keep the following nurseries open during the first lockdown:

  • Nellys Nursery Lancaster Avenue
  • Angels At Play Park Road
  • Natures Nursery in Ascot
  • Bambinos Nursery
  • Beech Green Nursery
  • Radcliffe Road Nursery
  • Woodborough Woods Den – Breakfast and After School Club

All of our nurseries are now open working in bubbles following government guidelines.

Our practitioner’s hard work has achieved great successes

The education sector relies on early years practitioners to provide high-quality childcare in a positive caring environment. Thanks to our hard-working, caring and knowledgeable practitioners, we have seen some great successes at our nurseries over the last 12 months. To name a few:

  • Scotts Wood Nursery and Radcliffe Nursery both achieved a place in the Top 20 Nurseries East Midlands 2020 list.
  • Woodlands Nursery and Nellys Turney Road Nursery parents and staff clubbed together to make wonderful contributions to their respective foodbanks over the Christmas period
  • Natures & Forest School Nursery championed climate change and planted over 350 trees across their nursery grounds
  • Both Merchant Square Nursery and their Pre-School achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted status
  • Nellys Turney Road Nursery achieved an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted status.

How can you help us celebrate the nation’s early years practitioners?

Join us on Thursday 18th February 2021 in showing your appreciation and support for early years practitioners across the country by giving your practitioner two big ‘thumbs up’! Share your pictures and videos, using the hashtag #ThumbsUpForEarlyYears.

The nation’s practitioners are at the very heart of the education sector and deserve to feel valued every day. From all of us at All About Children, thank you to early years practitioners across the country, far and wide!

All About Children Management Team with their Thumbs Up for Early Years Practitioners

#ThumbsUpForEarlyYears

What Our Staff Say

My name is Carla and I’m the room leader in Preschool. I go to work knowing that my knowledge, experience and passion is appreciated, I have a fantastic management team who listen, support and encourage me to be the best I can be. Working with a great team to deliver the best care for every child in our room. I love my role and feel like I make a difference.

Carla – Room Leader

I have been working for the nursery for nearly 3 years as the manager. I have loved watching the staff and children develop. We get a lot of support from other nurseries and our senior management team. There is a variety of career progression not just for the staff but for the management team also.

Amy – Nursery Manager

Silchester Manor has given me a platform to not only work and learn but also make a difference in children’s development and growth. The nursery has a great team to coordinate and work with, which brings a great difference in morale. In all, a great setting to work with and be in!

Rusha Chatterjee – Bank Staff

Silchester Manor is a great nursery to work with. I used to come through Agency and recently I have permanently joined the team. All the staff members are very supportive and friendly. This nursery has given be a great place to work and learn about childcare. I am very pleased to be a part of this team.

Anila Mushtaq Bhatti – Bank Staff

I have been working at Silchester Manor Nursery as bank staff for nearly four years. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere and relationship with children and their parents. I have seen babies progressing to the preschool and have enjoyed this journey with them. It is a nice place to work and I especially enjoy the lovely garden.

Alison Wakefield – Bank Staff

I feel happy and motivated working at Silchester Manor. The Nursery environment is positive and cheerful. My co-workers are very helpful and understanding. I am provided with training and guidance from my seniors. Thankful to get opportunity to work at this nursery.

Palwinder Kaur – Lunch Cover

Silchester Manor is a great place to work. I have been here almost a year and have learnt so much. I enjoy coming into work every day and spending time with the children and staff. It has given me a passion to better myself in this area and hopefully start level 3 in childcare.

Sophie Baird – Lunch Cover

I find it hard to believe that I joined as an apprentice and now I’m a room leader.

Sydney – The Little People, Room Leader

I started off at college and quickly realized I wanted to explore more of the practical day to day side of childcare, so I opted for an apprenticeship. I started and have never looked back. I found the course very informative and it gave me exactly what I wanted which was to work with children.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice, now Practitioner

I am so glad I undertook the apprenticeship; it has really given me an opportunity to have hands on experiences, learn about every aspect of childcare and has given me a way to put my knowledge that I’m learning into practice. I have a wonderful support network at The Little People.

Elsa – The Little People, Apprentice

I love working here, the team are wonderful role models and I really enjoy my day to day duties.

Katie – The Little People, Apprentice

I have been with Daybreak for almost 9 years, and I have learnt a great deal about the children’s development and I have been inspired so much from my current management team to work up to the position of Room Leader. Since All About Children have taken over, they have continued to support me with my progression and influenced me with their passion and enthusiasm.

Sarah Brend – Senior/Room Leader

I recently completed my level 2 in Childcare and I always wanted to train for my level 3. All About Children provided me with the opportunity to complete this training within the support of my team at Amersham Chiltern Avenue as well as support from my Area Maut Children.

Katie Cyster – Trainee Level 3

I knew I wanted to work in childcare and heard about apprenticeships, I wasn’t sure where to apply so put out a post on Facebook which Emma the Deputy responded to, she asked me to send in my CV which I did. Emma and the Manager interviewed me and gave me the opportunity to work as a temporary staff member to see if this was something I wanted to do. From the moment I started I knew this was a career I wanted to pursue. Since starting my apprenticeship here at Park Road I have grown in confidence and developed my knowledge through experience, guidance and support from all the team.

Connor – Apprentice Park Road

I was working at an After School Club and wanted to further my career so I applied at Park Road and was given the opportunity to gain a qualification in childcare whilst working as a Nursery Assistant. During this time I have developed my skills, I have learnt how to be a key carer, carry out observations, plan to meet the children's next steps and develop my knowledge of the EYFS and the Curiosity Approach. This isn't just a job I feel valued and part of a team.

Katie – Apprentice Park Road