Nursery World Awards 15: Individuals - Outstanding Contribution
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Carolynn Fletcher,manager of Swineshead Pre-school, Lincolnshire
Over the past 20 years, Carolynn has dedicated her whole self to the wellbeing and enhancement of the children in her care, staff, the local community and childcare sector, consistently and constantly working to improve outcomes for all concerned,’ says her colleague Melanie Steggar.
A facilitator by nature, Carolynn makes things possible. She strives for excellence on a daily basis and takes on numerous and varied challenges, which she overcomes.
While at the setting, Carolynn has taken on many job roles including an architect, designing a new purpose-built setting; a director, staging successful nativity plays; a health and safety officer; and a friend to her staff.
Praised as a ‘visionary and inspirational leader’ by the head of Lincolnshire’s birth to five service, she ensures the setting keeps abreast of any new initiatives, and challenges practitioners to move beyond their comfort zone and push themselves professionally.
She has led the nursery through a number of schemes, such as the Awaken the Leader empowerment training and two-year-old funding pilot. Last year, the setting achieved the national Food for Life award. It was one of the first pre-schools in the country to achieve this.
Carolynn provides an excellent role model for her team, who really respect her. She gives staff confidence to express their concerns and celebrate their high points, helping them to plan their career pathways and access training to facilitate this.
The nursery manager has a strong commitment to continuing professional development herself, having gained numerous qualifications and now embarking on a degree in Early Childhood Studies. As part of her degree, she is undertaking an extensive research project into mathematical development in the early years and the factors that may enhance it.
Carolynn’s strength and experience was recognised by Ofsted during the setting’s last inspection, in which it was awarded an outstanding.
Her staff also credit her for bringing the setting into the 21st century, introducing an online learning journal system to aid children’s transition from the setting to school. The system empowers parents to take part in observations of their children. Parents who do not have access to the internet at home are able to use the pre-school’s equipment to view and comment on their children’s profiles.
After being named as Nursery World’s Manager of the Year 2014, she used her ‘new found fame’ to share her views, opinions and experience with the childcare minister Sam Gyimah, according to the pre-school. During a celebratory event held by the minister, Carolynn put forward suggestions surrounding free meals for pre-school children and more funded hours for working parents – an offer that is being introduced in 2016.
Parents also speak very highly of Carolynn, who supports not only the children in her care, but also their families.
Finalist
Cindy Morgan, Creswick Pre-School, Welwyn Garden City
Criterion
Open to individuals whose long service and dedication to young children’s care and education are truly inspiring
