Download the Nursery World Awards Book of the Night 2024 hereMollie continually exceeds her colleagues’ expectations by going above and beyond what they expect of an apprentice. She is working towards her Level 3 Childcare and has proved herself to be reflective, empathetic, creative and playful.
The Nursery in Belong is an intergenerational setting where everyone is welcome from birth to 100 and beyond. Despite coming from a more traditional setting, Mollie has been quick to adapt to this different approach to care and learning and has developed excellent relationships. She has also been able use the experience of working in a larger setting, and within a larger organisation, to support her future practice and shape her own pedagogy.
Importantly, Mollie enjoys the company of both children and older people and is equally confident conversing with a baby, their parent, a grandparent, an adult with learning disabilities, or a frail older friend while showing respect. Above all, Mollie puts the needs and feelings of the children and their families at the heart of everything she does.
While being polite and respectful of her team’s experience, Mollie is not afraid to challenge, put forward new ideas and to question. She seeks out opportunities for self development in a variety of ways and shares it across the team, along with being happy to ask advice and be responsive to feedback. Mollie seizes opportunities to develop her training far beyond what is expected ofher to complete her course and the CPD offered by the setting. She regularly engages in reading, podcasts and online training outside of her long working day. A deep thinker, she is able to actively take part in professional dialogue and pedagogical conversations that develop and challenge herself and others.
Mollie is an advocate for play in all its forms. She is also always keen to translate theory to practice and recently engaged in block-play training. Following this she co-led a practitioner-based project to enhance the block area in the nursery environment and also to use them as a catalyst for play with their older friends. Mollie wrote a detailed proposal for the project, which included enhancements for the children and the adults. She submitted this to the trustees detailing the intent, implementation and the impact that extending the range of blocks would have on the participants. She also hosted a family engagement event centred around the benefits of block play, attended by 20 families.
Her work ethic and attitude make her hugely respected within the team, along with the children and their families and the older people she works alongside.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Allya Ali, The Learning Tree Nursery School, Storal – Romford, East London
Allya has a natural talent for working with young children and shows great care, patience and kindness in her interactions. She works across the nursery to gain experience of the different ages and stages of development. Allya has a strong desire to learn and grow in her role and actively seeks out opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge. Through her questioning and research, she has grown in confidence and applies her knowledge in interactions with children and her contributions to planning. She has also been able to use her experiences to inform her learning and coursework, making her training more relevant and impactful.
