Having a disability need not rule out a career in the early years sector, as Annette Rawstrone finds out
It is easy to focus on Rebecca Castle's wheelchair, but her talent for working with children, gaining their trust and caring for their needs is equally obvious.
Despite her capabilities and qualifications, including an NNEB and GNVQ in health and social care, Rebecca became a pro at handling job rejections (Nursery World, 14 January 1999) until the Old School Day Nursery in Ascot overlooked her disability and offered her a position based on the merits of her CV.
'It was unbelievable when I got the job,' says Rebecca, who has spina bifida. 'I was so excited and pleased that someone had given me the chance to prove myself. To keep getting rejection letters was devastating. It was a real knock to my self-esteem, because I started to feel that I wasn't good enough, when it was probably just because I was in a wheelchair.'
Nursery manager Arlene Caddow agrees. 'I think some people are worried about employing staff with disabilities because they don't know how to treat them. We know that Rebecca, like other nursery nurses, will just ask if she needs help. She has the attitude that nothing will stop her.'
Wooden ramps needed to be fitted in the nursery, based in an old Victorian building, but Rebecca's wheelchair has proved an unexpected plus when it comes to working with the small children. 'While most nursery nurses are rushing about and towering above the children, Rebecca, because of her wheelchair, is at eye level,' Arlene explains. 'It is common for children to tug on an adult's clothing to get their attention, but they don't have to do that with Rebecca.
An upset child will often go straight to her and climb on her knee for a cuddle.' The two- and three-year-olds Rebecca cares for are fascinated by her wheelchair. 'They always want to push me and they keep touching the wheels and the brakes, but I have to keep an eye on them just to make sure they don't get their fingers trapped,' she says. 'They are used to me, though, and see me as Rebecca and not the woman in the wheelchair.'
The young children may have been unfazed by Rebecca's disability when she started working at the nursery last September, but the older children at the after-school club were in for a big surprise. Arlene says, 'We were intrigued about how the children in the after-school club would react. At first, they were disappointed when they found out we had employed a woman, because they are used to men. One of the boys, seeing she was in a wheelchair, said, "Oh no, she's got wheels, she'll never be able to play football." But within half an hour, she was talking to them about basketball - and later on she thrashed them in a game. Now they think she's cool.'
Although the toddlers don't regard Rebecca as any different to themselves, they do show consideration towards her. If she drops something on the floor they'll automatically pick it up. The older children have also adapted and are now careful not to cause blockages by cluttering the corridor with their school bags.
'I think my working in the nursery has given the children an opportunity to learn that not everyone is the same and some people use wheelchairs,' Rebecca says. 'The children are starting to be aware of other people who are different.
Recently, a two-year-old pointed out a girl in a wheelchair to his mum when they were out shopping.'
Arlene believes Rebecca is an asset to the nursery team. She says, 'Rebecca is a nursery nurse, and they are either good or bad - Rebecca is very competent and does her job well.'
