Spotlight on… Leanne Green

How does it feel to receive a Long Service Award?

It is very special to me as my 20 years of service coincides with the nursery’s 20th birthday. Some of our first children are 21 now and going off to university– it’s wonderful to think the nursery played a part in giving them the best start. I think that teaching the children social skills is such a big thing and it’s also so important for parents to leave their child with someone they can trust.

What was it like starting out?

I was 17 years old and from that moment I loved every minute and found myself planning every evening what I could do with the children the next day. There wasn’t so much paperwork and tick-charts then, and obviously I was at a junior level so I had a lot of fun. I remember researching how to make erupting volcanoes with mints, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. I read a lot of books. I do think childcare is a career and it’s a really good career. I am so passionate about it, and became quite a young manager at 23. I have since gained a foundation degree in childhood studies and teach one evening a week at Reading College.

What atmosphere do you create?

There are 32 staff members, we’re like one big family and very supportive of each other. Our deputy manager and administrator have both been here for over 15 years too. I make sure we all do training courses, have opportunities to progress and feel appreciated. I’m a hands-on manager, I wouldn’t want to be stuck behind a desk all day so I’m out on the floor changing nappies or doing painting. We also do team-building activities and charity fundraisers, for instance a sky-dive for charity. We’ve grown the nursery from 30 places to 87, so it has been an amazing journey.