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No child should be left behind’ is Jackie’s motto, one that she has fiercely upheld throughout almost 30 years of working in the early years sector. She strongly believes that early years settings should be available to all children in the community and that aspirations should be raised for everyone.
Jackie’s title may be CEO of the charity, but you will often find her in the room with children telling stories or playing with dolls. She will clean and mop the same as any other team member and is hands-on in the settings – that is what brings her joy.
Recently, Jackie’s 25th year at Growing Places was celebrated and repeatedly the same words were used to describe her by staff, families and professional colleagues: passionate, dedicated, hard working, inspirational, making change happen, supportive, kind, caring, loving and driven. She is valued and respected within the community, with Growing Places regarded as much more than a nursery group but as a family where Jackie welcomes everyone without judgement.
She welcomes children with SEND into the nurseries when other settings have refused them – ‘No funding? We’ll find a way’ is her answer. Jackie kept the nurseries operating throughout the pandemic, has sourced furniture and clothing for families living in a refuge and opened a community pantry in two communities, which are relied on by some of the group’s families.
Jackie invests in staff CPD and wellbeing so that they will feel valued and recognised. For example, she has enabled staff to undertake study trips to Reggio Emilia and Sweden, and also purchased a six-acre Woodland Retreat for staff and their families to use without charge.
She also fights to bring value and recognition to the early years sector – featuring in local newspapers and radio and respectfully challenging in order for children’s voices to be heard and for their learning to be made visible to all. Jackie is well respected within Hampshire County Council and is regularly invited to events or to contribute to discussions around education and what needs to change for children and families.
Jackie is passionate about keeping her own knowledge up to date in order to be the best leader she can be. She is also dedicated to delivering in-house training – her favourites being training apprentices and delivering the Growing Places induction programme for all new team members. This is so she can first-hand share the history and the journey of the company, the vision, ethos and values.
Jackie is almost 60 years old and, although she hints about retirement, there is still plenty she wants to achieve first. Despite her leadership role, she will always describe herself as ‘a bloomin’ good nursery nurse’. Above all, Jackie is a joyful, caring person who has had an immeasurable impact on thousands of children and families during her career, making lives better in any way she can.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Charlotte Bateman, Little Barn Owls Forest and Farm School Nurseries – Horsham, West Sussex
Colleagues believe Charlotte could spin 50 plates in a thunderstorm and still make everyone around her feel seen, heard and valued. Charlotte’s leadership style is like a warm hug and she fosters an environment of teamwork, support and continuous learning. The children and families are at the centre of every key decision she makes. She has worked her way into leadership over more than a decade at Little Barn Owls, throughout which she has demonstrated resilience and determination to make a difference in the lives of children, families and colleagues. Charlotte is not just a leader but a friend, mentor and beacon of positivity.
FINALISTS
Alison J Hawkins, Wester Coates Nursery School – Edinburgh
Fiona McQueen, Bright Horizons Treehouse – Aberdeen
CRITERION
For an ‘unsung hero’ – an early years practitioner whose long service and dedication in day-to-day work with young children are truly inspiring.
