HELLO SAM. THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO ME!
No problem!
SO, ARE YOU LOCAL TO LITTLE BARN OWLS?
Pretty local. I am born and bred in Worthing. Not too far away.
AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK IN CHILDCARE?
Well, my mum has always worked in childcare and when I was younger I was called ‘Mother Hen’. I loved looking after my two younger sisters. So I suppose it was in the blood!
By the time I got to college, I really wanted to train in midwifery. I was passionate about it. However, it is such a competitive course and I was very disappointed not to get a place.
THAT MUST HAVE BEEN TOUGH?
Yes, I was heartbroken and wandered what on earth to do as all my future plans had been around a career as a midwife. Happily though, my mum’s boss offered me an apprenticeship at her nursery and I went on to study my level 2 and 3 under Chichester College and completed it a year ago!
SO THEN HOW DID YOU COME TO WORKING AT LITTLE BARN OWLS?
I decided I wanted to explore new opportunities and saw what LBO was advertising. It all happened very quickly. I applied on the Sunday night, had a call from Craig on the Monday, interviewed on Tuesday and started a trial on the Thursday. By Thursday afternoon, I was offered the job.
WOW, A WHIRLWIND!
Yes, I think it was just clear very quickly that the nursery and I suited each other!
AND YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?
LOVE my job! I had never worked with toddlers before, only pre-school children, and at first I was a little unsure how to communicate with them. But I soon learnt in order to react to their needs you have to take time to get to know them and understand their individual traits and characteristics.
For example, if a child cries, knowing that child well means that more often than not I can meet his or her needs without a fuss. I know what is likely to have been the cause of the tears for that particular child. Each child is different.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER WORKING WITH THE OLDER NURSERY CHILDREN NOW?
Not really. I adore the toddlers. We are with them at such a pivotal time of their lives. They are developing personalities, developing their walking skills, learning independence – and best of all, they still like regular cuddles! I am honoured to be part of this journey with them. Soppy, I know. But that’s honestly how I feel.
HOW DID YOU MANAGE WITH THE INQUIRY BASED LEARNING ASPECT OF THE NURSERY?
Well, I knew a little about the Reggio Emilia approach from reading about it but applying it to my work was a whole different story. Charlotte took the time to clearly explain the theory of it to me and Becca spent many sessions teaching me how to put it into practice.
I look back on how I taught the Early Years Statutory Framework at my first nursery and realise how different my approach is now. Back then, it was all about filling the children’s brains with facts and ticking off milestones on a check list. Whereas here, because each child develops skills through their own curiosity, they reach each EYFS milestone organically, without ever having to be ‘taught’. It’s quite incredible.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF THE NURSERY?
I am loving Farm School and I am seeing first-hand how it helps build the children’s confidence. This then translates into their behaviour inside the nursery.
We have a little girl, Cleo G. She was terrified of Persephany the pig, but after just a few short Farm School sessions where we showed the children how to respect the animals through quiet voices and gentle hands, Cleo started happily stroking her! I was amazed at the transformation.
AND HOW DO THEY MANAGE AROUND THE CHICKENS?
Well the chickens are very unpredictable and this is scary to a child under two, but once again through slowly building their confidence, they learn to handle the chicken and cherish their time with them. Lara H. was particularly unsure of the chickens at first but she now gently reassures her friends around them, and encourages them to stroke the chickens. There is a chicken called Eakey who likes to peck grain out of Lara’s hand. Lara has now named the chicken ‘Cheeky Eakey’!
We have a funny situation where Hugo S. and Niamh D. have made themselves self-titled Guardians of the Chicken Eggs! They are very protective over them. Each morning the children collect the eggs and Hugo and Niamh like to see that the child designated for picking up the eggs and placing them in the basket use the correct ‘technique’. It’s priceless to watch. They’re not even two and a half!
I do really believe this regular interaction with the animals builds their self-esteem. It also provides a unique environment for the children. I have found in Farm School, the younger children enjoy working together far more than in any other of the nursery settings.
THERE IS ONE THING I HAVE BEEN DYING TO ASK THE SNOWY STAFF!
Go for it!
SLEEP TIME. AS A PARENT, IT IS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AROUND 12.30, ALL THE SNOWY CHILDREN AND A LARGE PROPORTION OF TAWNY CHILDREN LIE DOWN ON A MATTRESS AND FALL ASLEEP WITHOUT ANY FUSS. DOES THIS REALLY HAPPEN???
Haha! We get asked this all the time, but YES they do just that.
UNBELIEVABLE! TALK US THROUGH IT.
Well, as the children are starting lunch we darken the Snowy room, lay out all the mattresses, place each child’s bed bag and blanket on a mattress along with their comforters. We play instrumental or natural sounds music softly in the background and at 12.15, they start to filter through. Many of the children will find their own bed, lie down and after we've tucked them in - go to sleep!
Sometimes, to help them drift off, we pat their backs or rub their tummies. The other technique used by some of the staff is gently stroking down their foreheads over their eyes.
SOUND LIKE BLISS! DO MANY OF THE CHILDREN HAVE COMFORTERS?
Yes, many of them do. They’re all called different names. I think at the moment we have comforters called Bobo, Didi, Lamby, Muzzie and the most unusual, Yoydi. So cute!
SO WHAT NOW FOR YOU SAM?
Well, I want to continue working in Snowies and develop my understanding of the Reggio approach. The children are currently part of a project, learning all about the ‘secrets of paper’. I have been busy finding ways of incorporating this into Farm School. So far we have created collages, using the paper used in the animals bedding as well as egg shells and feathers. I am sure there is much more that we will come up with though!
No comments:
Post a Comment