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#StandUpForEarlyYears: one nursery manager, 50 camper van stories

During lockdown, nursery manager Jacqui Hannaby has told more than 50 stories live on Facebook to children and families.

Granby Nurseries Carlton was forced to close during lockdown, but manager Jacqui Hannaby was determined to engage with the families on a daily basis, to ensure children were still familiar with a routine, seeing a familiar face and able to do something normal.

Jacqui read more than 50 stories, some favourites and some requested by a vote from the families, from her camper van each day, in what famously became LIVE@11.

Each LIVE@11 was broadcast on the nursery Facebook page, with families able to tune in.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Parents sent messages and Jacqui responded and said hello, as well chatting about things that the families had got up to.

The feedback from parents was amazing - they were all grateful for the little bit of normality in their day.

Families were also invited to take part in activities that practitioners had recorded from their homes, such as baking, making playdough and sign language sessions.

'We feel that we have worked hard to keep families engaged and engrossed in Granby Carlton, and have now welcomed most of them back after reopening,' says Jacqui.