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Spotlight on…Joanne Henderson

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Manager at Magic Tree Nursery, part of independent Belmont Grosvenor School in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Joanne Henderson
Joanne Henderson

WHY DID YOU APPLY TO BE MANAGER?

Having worked in a variety of roles at Magic Tree Nursery over seven years, including being promoted to deputy manager in June 2018, I felt more than ready to take on the role of manager when it became vacant. I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by a close-knit team of highly qualified and caring staff, most of whom I have worked with since I joined Magic Tree. Everyone was and is incredibly supportive of my new position. I am absolutely delighted.

HOW DID YOU END UP AT MAGIC TREE?

When I left school, I completed the BTEC National Diploma in Child Studies at Harrogate College before gaining my first job at a nursery in town. I spent several years working in a variety of settings across the area, including time as a private nanny for a number of families. But after having my first child, I decided to go back into a nursery. The job at Magic Tree came up, and I’ve not looked back since.

HOW WILL YOUR SEVEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AT THE SETTING HELP YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE?

When I joined the setting, it was to work as a nursery nurse in the two-year-olds’ room. Since then, I have gained a great deal of experience working in all the rooms, from helping with the tiny babies, who join us at three months old, to working with pre-schoolers.

Since joining, I’ve gained a qualification in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health and a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services. I’m also studying for a Level 2 qualification in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges.

HOW MIGHT YOUR NEW ROLE BE CHALLENGING?

One of the biggest challenges is one of our biggest opportunities: balancing the number of enquiries with the space we have. It is a good situation to be in, but can also be frustrating. But I am looking forward to it. Coming to work every day is an absolute pleasure.