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Cherubs Nurseries wanted to become a bigger part of the communities it serves to ensure everyone can benefit from its work and to give back to local people.
All nurseries take part in regular events that are planned by their community life champion and supported by the team throughout the year.
Weekly visits to residential homes allow children to spend time with residents, who returned the favour before the pandemic, attending afternoon teas at settings. Even during the pandemic, nurseries managed to keep in touch via Zoom, and children delivered Christmas cards. The bonds that are formed during these visits enhance the children’s time at nursery, and staff observe social skills developing as children learn new language and are exposed to a range of new experiences. Meanwhile, the residents look forward to visits and enjoy interacting with children and taking part in activities.
Settings also take part in regular community clean ups, providing experiential learning that will help children grow up with an understanding of how to care for the world around them.
Throughout the year, nurseries fundraise for various charities, and parents and staff nominate a charity partner as the focus of efforts for that year. With the support of staff, parents and families, Cherubs has donated over £60,000 to causes including Rainbows Children’s Hospice, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, Theodora Children’s Charity and YoungMinds mental health charity.
Most recently, nurseries have hosted events including bingo, bake offs and easter egg hunts to raise money for this year’s charity partner, Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid. Staff have also worked hard to raise awareness about domestic violence and let staff and parents know that nurseries are safe spaces. Earlier this year, all staff attended J9 training which is intended to raise awareness of domestic abuse and assist survivors to access support safely by training professionals and members of the community to recognise domestic abuse and respond to survivors.
Every year, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Cherubs hosts a donations drive to support the mental health charity Mind. Staff and parents are encouraged to donate any second-hand clothes or small items from home that can be given a second lease of life, and the nursery collects around 200 bags per year. Nurseries also collect food and supplies for local food banks and soup kitchens every Christmas.
Community support has been developed and carefully integrated in nursery practice since 2017. Staff and families are always looking forward to the next event, which is shared on the nurseries’ dedicated board.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Traquinas Childcare, Norfolk
Staff at Traquinas take pride in raising money for charity and helping families. A clothes bank and a food bank were both set up during the pandemic, available outside the setting.
The setting has also donated to Ukraine, collecting items such as toiletries, clothes and shoes from parents, alongside four cots the nursery no longer required. Staff sorted through donations and a local man agreed to drive the collection over to Ukraine.
Staff come up with fundraising ideas, from Easter and Christmas photoshoots, to cake sales and walkathons. All the money raised goes to charities parents may have used, such as local hospices. The nursery also raised funds to provide parents staying in the local hospital’s children’s ward with bags full of essential items like phone chargers and toothpaste.
FINALISTS
GNG Nursery, Smethwick
St Aubin Roath, Cardiff
CRITERION
Open to early years settings and services who have involved staff, parents and children in projects to support charities or the local/wider community.