#Chances4Children: Early years providers join forces to give sector a ‘thumbs up’
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Early years providers have joined forces to celebrate the dedication and commitment shown by childcare workers across the country.
Major nursery chains Busy Bees and Bright Horizons, alongside the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), are among those taking part in the #ThumbsUpforEarlyYears campaign to champion staff working to support vulnerable children through the pandemic.
The sector is asking members of the community including parents, children, support colleagues and practitioners to share a photo of themselves in support of the initiative, using the hashtag #ThumbsUpForEarlyYears, today (Thursday 18 February).
Here to all our amazing @sthelenscouncil and independent EY providers in #sthelens - thank you! 🙏 #ThumbsUpForEarlyYears pic.twitter.com/U9qfEesnpN
— Kath O'Dwyer (@kathodwyer) February 18, 2021
Speaking on behalf of the group of early years providers, Sarah Steel, chair of the large providers group, said: “Our sector is one that relies on our people, we know that every experience a child has can be enhanced by a caring, knowledgeable practitioner. As individual organisations we’ve celebrated these ‘magic moments’ and thanked our colleagues for always prioritising the children throughout the year.
Here to all our amazing @sthelenscouncil and independent EY providers in #sthelens - thank you! 🙏 #ThumbsUpForEarlyYears pic.twitter.com/U9qfEesnpN
— Kath O'Dwyer (@kathodwyer) February 18, 2021
"#ThumbsUpForEarlyYears provides us with a platform to come together and share our awe, thanks and heartfelt appreciation for all those working in early years whether they are a key person, a Nursery Manager or an apprentice. Today is the day to say - thank you, we think you’re amazing.
“We hope that by sharing images alongside #ThumbsUpForEarlyYears, we will highlight just how many wonderful individuals work tirelessly to ensure children cared for by practitioners across our sector receive the very best start in life.”
Today we're celebrating the fantastic work of early years practitioners across the country🥳#ThumbsUpForEarlyYears 👍@YvetteStanley18 @WRatcliffOfsted @GillJonesOfsted pic.twitter.com/md6SmeVGq2
— Ofsted (@Ofstednews) February 18, 2021
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this campaign and recognising the amazing contribution that early years workers are making to our communities. Everyone in the sector has been working so hard under very challenging circumstances.
“Nurseries and early years settings have been open throughout the pandemic, including in the latest lockdowns. Without this support it’s clear that children’s early education would have suffered even more and parents would have struggled, especially those working from home.
“This has been the most difficult year we have seen and everyone deserves recognition for the hard work happening across the sector. Early years workers are making a real difference to children’s lives so thank you all and well done.”
