A new beginning

Back in 1993, days after their son Ed was born, Ian found himself redundant from his role in the property surveying sector. Helen, whilst on maternity leave, had new intentions of teaching rather than her role in the financial sector. Faced with a major change in prospects, it was time to sit down and make a plan. How could they manage with two small children, everything financially stacked against them and looking at prospects of a new career?

Helen returned early to her financial services role full-time and studied for two A’ Levels in the evening, to get her onto her first degree. Ian stayed at home to look after the children whilst completing his surveying diploma by correspondence course. Enjoying the role of primary childcarer, Ian registered as a childminder with Helen supporting when not at university.

In January 1998, Helen and Ian, opened the Playroom. A tired but delightful Victorian property central to West Bridgford. Ian used his surveying skills and property renovation abilities, to develop the whole building into the lovely nursery environment for the small children that we have today. This has, over the years, been an ongoing project and now encompasses three floors dedicated to providing the best possible support for children and the team. As the numbers of children grew, so did the ideas and plans to support their development, with the most recent being the wonderful 60 square metre, pre-school garden room, with free-flow to the outside play area. The playroom opens its doors at 7am which enables any wboosc children needing an earlier start to be accomodated there.

Despite all this considerable hard work, family has always been the essential focus with many shared experiences. The outdoor life holds great importance with cycling, camping, skiing being woven into the family calendar. Back in 2009, the family took a year out and back-packed around the world – at the point of leaving the UK, Ed was 15 and Milly 12. The experiences these young people had in countries such as Vietnam, Australia, Canada, Laos and New Zealand have inevitably given them huge insight into how to help others be the best they can be.

Milly is our Playroom Nursery Manager, working closely with Helen on stategic and operational matters, she is responsible for the day to day care learning and play of the children in our care. Having qualified with a Batchelors degree in Music, Milly developed her knowledge and understanding of children through gaining her Early Years Teacher Status before completing a Masters degree in Early Years Education. Milly is passionate in ensuring that all children access the best possible care, learning and play opportunities. As our playroom SENDCO, she has gained considerable experience in working with and ensuring the right level of support, for children with additional needs. Like her brother, Milly has also taught skiing for secondary school children as well as working as a sailing instructor, teaching all ages. Milly is an active Army reservist and utilises her knowledge of the outdoors and spirit of adventure in nursery, combining this with her Forest School Teacher qualifications to regularly plan activities to support children’s learning both inside nursery as on our outdoor adventures.