SmilesatGilmorton - Smiles Children's Day Nursery & School Clubs

Snow Days - The Importance of The Outdoors

10/2/2021

The Adventurers have also been enjoying some snow days at nursery this week.

We feel it is so important for the children to experience the outdoors in whatever the weather throws at us. A saying we like to stick by is “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.

Being outdoors is such a vital part of children's development as it helps them to build resilience, gross motor skills and their hand eye coordination, whilst having numerous other benefits, especially if the weather is challenging!

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Meet The Team!

Management:

Nursery Manager and SENCo
Hi, My name is Sophie! I have worked for Smiles Day nursery since we opened in 2016.

I absolutely love working with Children and have always been so passionate in this area of work.

It is so special to me to see children grow and develop into such lovely, creative minds.

Deputy Manager and SENCo
Hi my name is Melissa, I am the room leader of the Inventors and joint SENCO.

I have been working with children for around 8 years! I love working with children because not only is it great fun but it also very rewarding by helping them grow and develop into young people.
In my spare time I enjoy going out with my Husband, friends and family.

Explorers and Discoverers Room:

Room Leader
Hi, my name is Emily. I am the room leader in the Explorers and Discoverers room.
I started working in early years in 2016 and left in 2018 to work in a high school with older children. Since gaining my level 6 degree in childcare, I find it really rewarding to watch the children grow and develop.

Outside of work I do a lot of creative activities, such as drawing. Therefore, I enjoy providing arts and crafts activities for the children.

Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Laura. I have a level three qualification in childcare.
I began volunteering at Smiles whilst completing my qualification at college. I then began working at Smiles full time once my course was completed.

I really enjoy messy play with the children and I also love getting them outdoors!

Assistant Practitioner
Hi my name is Kasey and I am an Assistant Practitioner.
I worked in Smiles Before and After School Clubs before coming to the nursery full time and I am currently working towards having a Level 3 in Childcare.
I enjoy supporting the children’s imaginative play and playing outside with them.

Assistant Practitioner
Hi, my name is Maddy,
I have been working with children for 6 years. I am trained as a primary school teacher and have background in reception year is schools.
I love working with children as no 2 days are the same and you never know what to expect!

Adventurers Room:

Room Leader and Senior Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Nic!
I’m a senior nursery practitioner with a level 3 qualification in childcare.
I am recently a new mother who loves going on family outings.

Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Jodie.
I have been working in childcare for around 15 years and I love it. I have my level 3 childcare qualification as well as completing various further learning course to continuously expand on my knowledge.
I love the idea of helping and caring for children and them becoming anything they wish to in the future and I love the idea of me having something to do with that.

Nursery Practitioner
Hello my name is Amy and I have my Level 3 in Childcare and Education.
I have worked in childcare for over 7 years and joined the Smiles team in May 2018.
I really enjoy reading stories and singing songs to the children, I also love messy play!

Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Lacey!
I have been working with children since 2016 and I have a level 3 qualification in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
My favourite part about working with children is knowing that I can help them learn and develop, giving them the strongest start to their future.

Creators Room:

Room Leader
Hi my name is Caroline and I am the Creators room leader.
I have got my Level 3 in childcare.
I previously worked in a wedding shop and a florist, but children are my passion and I am always excited to learn more about them and their amazing imaginations.

Assistant Practitioner
Hi my name is Kirby and I started at Smiles at the end of November 2018, but I have been working with children for around 7 years. Some of my experiences include working at Dorothy Goodman School and volunteering at Green towers. I gained my Level 2 NVQ in Teaching and Support Learning and I am also qualified climbing instructor. I enjoy working with the children because I love watching them learn new things and progress. Being a part of their journey is incredible.

Assistant Practitioner
Hi my name is Chloe. I first began at Smiles as a placement student whilst at college. I am now employed as a full time Assistant Practitioner. I am currently working to achieve my Level 3 qualification in childcare.
Helping young children in their learning and development is an ambition I have had from my primary school days.

Assistant Practitioner
Hi, my name is Julie. I have worked at Smiles for around 4 years now. Before Smiles, I worked in a care home for 13 years.
I have experience with every age group in the nursery, as I used to cover in all of the rooms.
I have grandchildren as well, that keep me very busy!
I love to read to the children and be outdoors with them too.
I really enjoy being with the children and watching them progress as they grow.

Inventors Room:

Room Leader and SENCo
Hi, my name is Jackie and I am a mum of two teenage boys.
I have been working within the early years sector for 7 years, having started off as a volunteer in a playgroup. I completed my level 3 qualification and then graduated with an Early Years Foundation Degree in July 2018.
The early years are such a special time and having been there to support my boys growing up, I want to be there for other children to support their learning and development and to give them the best possible outcome in life.

Nursery Practitioner
Hello, I’m Lydia. I have a level 3 qualification and I have worked in childcare for around 10 years.
I have a daughter called Evie, who also attends the nursery.
My favourite part of the job has always been helping the children grow and develop, letting their individual personalities shine.

Assistant Practitioner
Hi, I am Katherine.
I have worked with children for 18 years now, mainly working with 4 – 11 year olds prior to my full time job at the nursery.
I started with Smiles as a play worker at the before and after school club.
I mainly enjoy doing craft activities and interacting with the children.

Support Staff:

Nursery Practitioner
Hi I’m Vina, I have worked with children for over 19 years now!
I am Level 3 qualified in childcare and I am up to date with relevant training.
I enjoy doing all sorts of activities with the children and taking them out, watching them learn as they play.

Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Mandy.
I have worked at Smiles since it opened in 2016, alongside my child minding job!
I love being outdoors with the children, getting them out on the mini bus and to the park.
I love spending time in each of the rooms and exploring all the different qge groups.

Apprentice
Hi, I am Charlotte. I am doing an apprenticeship in Children and Young Peoples Workforce. I have helped care for my younger sister at home. I enjoy working with children and with their development, as they grow up. Helping children is something that I am passionate about.