Nursery World Awards -2022 Pandemic Response

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Wiggles and Giggles Nursery provided round the clock support to its families and local community throughout the pandemic via a 24-hour helpline and text-in service.

The service was a lifeline for people struggling with isolation, loneliness and anxiety, keeping spirits up during the bleakest times. The nursery shared contact details for mental health support, food banks, crisis teams and early intervention teams where necessary, and ensured a member of their team was available for anyone who needed them, whether to drop off supplies, refer on to other professionals, collect medication or just have a chat.

Staff were regularly checked on to make sure their mental health was not suffering, and running the helpline was not negatively affecting them in any way.

The setting also offered various supplies to its families and members of the community, including gloves, hand sanitiser, aprons and Covid-19 tests, as well as posting fun videos and posts online to promote a positive attitude.

The management team set up a funding page to collect donations of food, sanitary products, washing items, clothing, baby food, nappies and wipes, and delivered packages to elderly and vulnerable members of the community. Many members of staff contributed to the fund themselves.

Although the setting remained open for children of key workers, most children were at home. In order to ensure their continuing development, they were given a range of resources including whiteboards, pens, pencils and activity sheets, as well as links to websites for games and videos. Staff filmed themselves doing sessions on counting, nursery rhymes and phonics to keep children engaged, and ran some live video calls so that children could interact with them.

Parents received observations and resources to complete at home to be reviewed and added to learning journeys when children returned to the setting. Staff catered to any individual needs, special educational needs and disabilities, or additional languages by supplying work specific to children’s interests and their next steps. They provided learning books for written English work, maths work and reading books, including versions in other languages where required.

On children’s return to the setting, transitions were managed sensitively and patiently, ensuring all children felt safe and comfortable. Staff continued to make sure they were available for all families to speak to, either through text, phone call, email or social media, if needed.

Wiggles and Giggles Nursery has continued to provide support to its families and local community even after lockdown, collecting food or medication from local services, hospitals and food banks and then delivering care packages to those who need it most.

FINALIST

Abacus Ark Nursery School, London

CRITERION

Open to individuals or teams working in early years whose response to the challenges of the pandemic, lockdowns and restrictions has been truly outstanding in supporting children, families and staff.