24 Jun Essex nursery celebrates four milestones!
There has been cause for celebration at Brentwood in Essex this week, as Shenfield Day Nursery marked its 22nd birthday.
The special occasion also saw the staff honour the work anniversaries of three beloved colleagues who have collectively clocked up 59 years of service.
Nursery Manager Nikki Munday is celebrating her 19th year at the setting; early years practitioner Tammy Metcalfe is marking an incredible 25 years’ service; and Jo Mullinger has clocked up an incredible 15 years of service for the nursery!
To celebrate these four milestones, the nursery held a special party with the children and treated their longest serving members of staff to Longevity Awards.
As well as being presented with flowers and gifts, colleagues reminisced over the highlights of Nikki, Tammy and Jo’s time at Shenfield Day Nursery, which have most recently included Father’s Day breakfasts; mothers day afternoon teas, along with many other wonderful occasions such as graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties.
From leaving school at 17 and training as an apprentice, Nikki has progressed through several different roles at Shenfield Day Nursery to become Nursery Manager; all whilst caring for her own growing family. She has helped to positively shape the lives of hundreds of children, as well as taking part in countless fundraising ventures held by the nursery.
By Nikki’s own admission, she left school “quiet and shy”. However, since joining Shenfield Day Nursery, she has taken on countless responsibilities which have seen her grow in confidence. She now co-manages the nursery with Siobhan Pinnock, and together with their team of 20 staff, look after 46 children, ensuring that each individual child is truly cherished.
Tammy worked at the existing Shenfield Day Nursery 25 years ago, after joining on 5th September 1998. She explained: “The time has truly flown since then. It has been wonderful to witness so many children enjoy their journeys with us and I have so many cherished memories from my time here. I am delighted to be celebrating these anniversaries with everyone here at nursery.”
Jo – a popular, helpful and friendly member of staff – joined Shenfield Day Nursery as a talented chef, before stepping across to help in St. Mary’s Breakfast & After School Club when it opened in 2015. She continues to support the club and help the nursery team during Wednesday lunchtimes.
Over the years, Nikki, Tammy and Jo have seen huge change in the Early Years. From technology to training, Shenfield Day Nursery has evolved to implement best practice, with a significant focus centred on the child’s individual interests and a strong connection with parents to build a home-from-home learning environment.
Nikki, Manager at Shenfield Day Nursery, said: “It’s a place where children are truly loved and cared for. It is a very homely environment and we build lovely relationships with parents.
“We are all looking forward to celebrating the nursery’s 22nd birthday and have a day full of fun planned for plenty of excited children!”
