Passionate Nursery Manager from Hertfordshire shortlisted for top industry accolade
Claire, a Nursery Manager at Bright Horizons Harpenden Central Day Nursery and Preschool, is a finalist for the ‘Nursery Manager of the Year’ award.
She is one of only seven Nursery Managers to make the final shortlist in this category of the 2023 NMT National Nursery Awards. These prestigious awards are open to everyone involved in childcare and education and highlight truly inspirational work. 
Claire has been recognised for the award due to her hard work in creating new and innovative ways to enhance each child’s learning. She introduced a hugely successful music and movement class, named “Boogie Mites”, where she taught children and colleagues how to embrace music and move in a new and energised way. This has now been recognised and shared amongst other nurseries at Bright Horizons.
Her work as a nursery manager has been praised highly by her colleagues, including one Nursery Practitioner who said: “Claire shows outstanding business and leadership skills with running and managing the nursery and allowing the whole team to thrive. Through Claire's high performance, she has supported another nursery, as well as continuing to support her team by developing and motivating everyone to create a safe and stimulating environment.”
Claire has led her nursery to achieving an Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2022, one point that Ofsted highlighted was the inclusive environment she has created at the nursery. This was due to her successfully creating a diversified room to accommodate children with additional needs, to better serve SEN (Special Educational Needs) children. This change resulted in enhanced achievements and remarkable growth for all children.
Claire comments: “I am so happy and proud to be nominated for this award and to be representing Bright Horizons at the NMT Nursery Awards. Having been working in Early Years for 25 years, I have always been enthusiastic about providing each child with an enthusiastic learning experience that is inclusive to every child and finding unique ways to enhance our Bright Beginnings curriculum.
“I feel lucky to have such a supportive team who all help and support each other by developing and motivating everyone to create a safe environment. Bright Horizons has allowed me to embrace my passion in my role, where I can teach and inspire colleagues and children every day.”
This is not the only award where Bright Horizons colleagues have been shortlisted. Other nominations include, Katy, a Preschool Room Leader at Bright Horizons Kingswood Day Nursery and Preschool for ‘The SENCO Award’, Danielle, Regional Director in the North for ‘Area Manager of the Year’, and Jesse, a Room Leader at Bright Horizons Andover Day Nursery and Preschool for ‘Room Leader of the Year’. Bright Horizons have also been nominated for three awards including Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year, Nursery Group (Large) of the Year and Nursery Training and Development of the Year.
Winners of the NMT National Nursery Awards are chosen by a distinguished panel of expert judges and will be revealed at the ceremony in London on November 25th. If you are interested to find out more about any of Bright Horizons nurseries and all the fun and inspiring activities they get involved in, then they will be holding their autumn open day where families can book their place to visit one of their local nurseries on September 23rd.
