Nursery World Awards 2022 - Lifetime Achievement

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By John Warren early years consultant

There are few people within the early years that truly make a difference to the sector as a whole, and those who do usually do it from a distance as an author, trainer etc. However, this person broke the mould and decided to do it all and mainly in person. If you have ever been to an early years event you will certainly have met this man. His passion for supporting ALL, children, families, staff, children, home and worldwide is infectious. But how he got to where he is now was not a straightforward route.

In terms of his career, David Wright is a relative latecomer to early years. Having studied economics at London University in the late 1970s, he realised that he was not cut out for accountancy or banking. Having zero experience of IT or computing as it was then called, he applied for a role as a computer programmer, a decision that led to a 25-year career as a technical specialist.

During this period, he and his wife Anna tragically lost their first son, Samuel, who died of cot death aged 7 months. The subsequent joy of having three children following IVF treatment was tainted by the loss of William who only lived for one day. Their family was finally completed when they adopted a five-year-old, 15 years later, following a very drawn-out process.

David willingly shares his personal information because he wants others to know that he is shaped by these experiences, not defined by them. He understands how precious every child is and he is determined to use what he has lived through, the time and resources he has available, to make a difference for as many children as a possible, across the world. It shapes his philosophy of education and his pedagogy. David says it has made him a far more compassionate individual and gives him a perspective on what is really important in life.

Following the birth of their children, Anna opened a preschool in their home. This eventually outgrew both the space and time available, and the business moved into its own building. Over time this expanded to 10 Paint Pots settings in the locality, and 18 years ago David left his role in IT to join Anna in their early years business. He started in the rooms, studying for a level 3 NVQ, quickly followed by gaining Early Years Professional Status in its first cohort of students.

He realised early on that, as a male in early years, he was in a minority. He was determined to look beyond his immediate circumstances to expand his knowledge, to build networks and to extend his influence where he felt he was able to help.

Some people do not even know his name as he is often referred to as Mr Paint Pots. David is the happiest and most proud when he is being a husband, dad, grandad and spending time on the floor having fun with children. I know this to be true because I have seen this man playing stickers with his grandchild and ending up being covered from head to toe.

He is literally the Right Man for the Job, if you ever need to question are you doing the right thing, then all you need to ask yourself, what would this man do? and then you would know you are always doing the Right thing. If we could clone David, our recruitment crisis would be over.

He may be part of a group that makes up only three per cent of the workforce but his energy, commitment, generosity of time, sacrifice and passion fills that huge gap.

BIOGRAPHY

David Wright is a former owner and now an ambassador for Paint Pots Nurseries in Southampton. He has 18 years’ experience as an Early Years Teacher. He is the national representative for England to the World Forum on Early Childhood Education (ECE) and the global lead for their Men in ECE working group. David is an author, broadcaster, commentator, presenter and international conference speaker on Early Years. He is an advisor to the early years sector council of the National Association of Head Teachers and a member of the leadership team of the South East Region of the Ofsted Big Conversation. He is the founder of Families First Southampton, a charity supporting families in need. He is the chair of trustees of New Life Home Trust UK CIO, a charity that supports the rescue of abandoned babies in Kenya. David is a passionate advocate for the rights of all children. He can be found on twitter as @Mr_Paintpots.

• Winner of Nursery World Nursery Group of the Year 2018
• Organiser of the first national Men In Early Years conference
• Co-author of the book Men in Early Years Settings
• Chair of DfE Task and Finish Group on Diversity in the Early Years workforce, contributing to the Early Years Workforce Development Plan and securing funding for the Fatherhood Institute Men In The Early Years (MITEY) programme.
• Panel member for apprenticeship standards review
• Panel member for Early Years Teacher standards review
• Awarded City of Southampton Award for services to children 2022