WHY DID YOU START WORKING AT HONEYBEAR?
Honeybear was my first employer after I qualified from a two-year full-time NNEB course at Tameside College. Although it was quite a distance from home, I decided to apply for the role, and look for a job closer to home if I was appointed. However, I quickly fell in love with working at Honeybear, and 25 years later I’m still here! It’s a lovely nursery, with a great, established team. I share the nursery’s passion for providing a safe, secure and homely environment for children where they can grow and flourish.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU HAVE NOTICED IN YOUR 25 YEARS?
The early years curriculum has changed numerous times, but the new EYFS provides changes for the better, providing a stable and secure environment where children receive good-quality early education.
HOW DID YOU MARK YOUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY?
It was a lovely celebration. Bernadetta Devine, the founder, threw a party for me with the children and all the staff, including the managers from the other settings in the group. I received a gift for every five years I have been part of Honeybear, and Bernadetta treated me to afternoon tea and a day at a spa.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHTS?
I have so many! I became manager in 2001, when Bernadetta went on maternity leave. It was really daunting but a great opportunity for my development, and really flattering that she was happy to leave the nursery in my hands. Only a few days earlier, Ofsted had inspected the nursery, and I was very relieved they came in then and not a few days later.
It is also really satisfying when I stay in contact with people I knew many years ago. For instance, we have provided work experience placements for many aspiring nursery nurses who attended our nursery and pre-school as children. Also one of the parents from 25 years ago now cares for a child whom she has recently registered to start in our nursery. What a great accolade for how we care for our children and work with their parents and carers.