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Nothing is ever too much for Carys, whether it is helping to set up the garden in the morning for older children, or scrubbing pots and pans after her shift has already finished.
She joined the team in January 2021 and is based in the baby room, where she works alongside the room leader to support the children in the room and work in partnership with parents. She is currently undertaking her Level 2 Childcare qualification as an Apprenticeship.
Recently, Carys took on her first group of three key children, which included the setting manager’s six-month-old child. She has responded superbly to this new pressure and expectation, showing great love and care for all children and an ability to talk about each child in a highly personal but professional manner. Her knowledge of every child in her care is impeccable.
She has a thirst for learning and aspires to be the best practitioner she can. She questions more experienced members of the team daily about aspects of the role, and when the manager asks her questions and she does not know the answer, she will immediately pick up a policy file to find out, or ask the manager to send her information so she can learn independently in her own time.
She keeps in touch with parents, sending updates via an online app to let them know how much their child is eating and sleeping, as well as much more detailed messages talking about the child�s mood and responses throughout the day and the activities they have been involved in. She discusses children’s likes and dislikes with parents in depth and on a regular basis to ensure she can replicate a happy home environment in the nursery.
She was recently awarded a ‘Staff Golden Ticket’, an internal award recognising outstanding practice and contribution to the setting.
Carys is a part-time carer for her mother who is terminally ill, yet every single day she comes into the nursery with a huge smile on her face, ready to care for the children who all adore her. She pours her heart into everything she does and is often heard to say, ‘I’m leaving my worries at the door. I’m here for the children, they bring me the joy I need.’
Described by her colleagues as ‘hardworking and passionate,’ Carys is also hugely popular with parents, one of whom commented, ‘my daughter started nursery at four months old and Carys has been instrumental in providing outstanding care for her four days a week. It has made our daughter’s settling in so much easier. We love Carys!’
FINALIST
Aliysha Hopwood, SEND to Learn, Blyth
CRITERION
Open to early years practitioners who started working in the early years sector since 1 January 2020.
