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Holly Bank Nursery takes wellbeing seriously and has embedded it in their culture. Leaders regard wellbeing as a way of ensuring they are getting the best outcomes for the children and supporting their staff as best they can, because happy and well-supported staff are the key to happy children.
The focus on staff wellbeing includes an annual extra paid day of leave known as a Wellbeing Day for them to concentrate on their own wellbeing, access to an NHS-qualified therapist, flexible working, long service recognition gifts and boxes and team-building days. There are also regular wellbeing checks at supervisions and appraisals along with staff meetings. Some of the staff hold PANCo (physical activity and nutrition co-ordinator) qualifications and support the setting through championing best practice in physical activity, nutrition and the health and wellbeing of children, families and staff.
For the children, friendships are nurtured and valued from birth; enhancing children’s sense of group belonging, not just to their own families and nursery but to the local community. It is recognised that adults are there to support and guide children’s learning, and they focus on the environment as a key part of teaching, take care to never rush children and have introduced slower transitions.
Children play outside every day in all weather, providing safe opportunities for physical activity as well as promoting a sense of confidence, health, happiness and wellbeing. Wellbeing and mindfulness activities also include yoga, cloud-watching, barefoot walking, controlled breathing and lotus-drum listening. Staff have also improved the books they offer to children, with titles for all ages that cover different emotions they might experience, such as anxiety, or a variety of new situations they may encounter.
Mealtimes are recognised as a valuable time for encouraging social and personal skills and to provide opportunities to learn about healthy eating. With concerns around childhood obesity and the cost-of-living crisis, the nursery ensures children receive a well-balanced and healthy diet, with menus approved by Early Start Nutrition and prepared in the nursery kitchen from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Children help to set the table – which is often outdoors in decent weather – and are encouraged to serve themselves. Staff eat alongside the children to role model and discuss the food, which includes ingredients they have helped to grow.
It is recognised that the parents’ role is key to ensuring the wellbeing of the child, so Holly Bank is continually expanding the help it offers to families. This includes first-aid and behaviour management training and stay-and-play sessions. There are parent guides on the nursery website and social media channels, free baby sensory classes, a nursery lending library and even ‘breakfast on the go’ for busy parents. These initiatives aim to ease the burden on families to ensure the children have the most positive and happy upbringing and learning experience.
FINALISTS
Blue Giraffe Childcare – Droitwich, Worcestershire
Farm Day Nurseries – Nationwide
Honey Pot Nursery Group– Liverpool, Merseyside
Kerrie’s Cherubs – Blyth, Northumberland
CRITERION
Open to early years settings, services and projects that haveshown excellence in prioritising and improving the physical health and/or emotional wellbeing of children, families and staff.
