The world of tomorrow is digital. Kids are inherently fascinated by screens, which they find great joy in and intuitively…
Meet the manager: Sheryl Snook
In our series showcasing the sector’s nursery managers, we talk to Sheryl Snook, nursery manager at Bright Horizons’ Cheshunt Day Nursery and Preschool in Hertfordshire
What was your route to becoming a manager?
I always knew I wanted to work with children from a young age. There is a big age gap between my youngest cousin and me and I loved looking after him and my passion for working with children stemmed from spending time with him. I studied my Level 2 in childcare and education in college, followed by my Level 3 in childcare. I worked as a nanny for a family for two years before working in day nurseries. I decided that I wanted to climb the ladder and be a nursery manager that makes a difference. I then enrolled onto Level 5 in childcare and management and started to progress and climb the ladder. I have now been a manager for over six years, three at Bright Horizons, and I wouldn’t change my job for the world.
What’s the best thing about Bright Horizons’ Cheshunt setting?
The best thing about my nursery is the environment. The nursery is a Grade II listed building which is beautiful in itself, but the practitioners and myself are also able to add our own stamp on each of the rooms. The nursery consists of many themed areas in line with the children’s interests such as a jungle themed room, which has previously been a spaceship.
What’s your next career move?
I’m really looking forward to my next adventure as a nursery manager starting at the brand-new setting, Bright Horizons’ Bishop’s Stortford Day Nursery and Preschool, this summer. I’m so excited to be a part of the purpose-built nursery and welcoming new families and a team of passionate practitioners who are eager to get started. The new nursery will be focused on nurturing and developing each child to reach their full potential and I can’t wait to be involved in the early stages of their education.
What’s the best training you’ve been on?
I recently attended a coaching training course which allowed me to adapt and apply my skills to support my team. Also, I attended a training day in Northampton with guest speaker Ben Kingston-Hughes, author of Why children need joy: the fundamental truth about childhood. He is a play therapist and shares his knowledge about children’s brains, how they develop and why they need ‘joy’. He speaks with such passion sharing his own life experiences to educate professionals which was truly inspiring.
What’s the most challenging part of being a nursery manager?
The many different hats I wear each and every day – ranging from cooking in the kitchen to unblocking drains as a dinosaur has made its way down the sink, again!
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?
It would have to be Queen Elizabeth II. I would love to know more about her life on a personal level, especially as she became Queen at a such a young age. Another would be Jacqueline Wilson, I am a huge fan of her books – I’d love to know more about her and her life experiences as an writer. Lastly, I would invite my younger self to dinner and share my knowledge and wisdom with my younger self.
What do you do to look after yourself when things get stressful?
I have recently enrolled at a local gym and I have also started training with a personal trainer. We do a mixture of cardio, boxing and weights which is a great stress release.
What’s the one thing you would change about the early years sector?
It would be the perception of the childcare sector as unskilled. People have often said to me: “But you just play all day”. Working in a nursery takes a special type of person who works selflessly, often for long hours, to provide a stimulating environment for the children to feel safe and secure.
What three things would you take to a desert island?
Suncream, if I look at the sun I’m sunburnt. I’m also a foodie – so lots of food, preferably steak – and a barbeque to cook it on.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t worry about other people’s perception of you – you are doing a great job and you will achieve everything if you work for it – and more.
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