Staff Profile
Name
Heather Drake-Yates
Joined the Nursery
March 2018
Job Title
Senior Nursery Officer
Qualifications
First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Education
Notes
I first began my journey at Smisby in the summer of 2014 where I worked as bank staff whilst at college. This was my first job, and it left quite an impact.
When I finished at college, I qualified with a Level 3 in childcare. I went straight to working in a primary school as a Learning Support Assistant. I had an amazing time working in a school, gaining lots of experience working with a wide age range of children. It was after 3 years of working in a school that I craved a new challenge, so left what I knew so well behind, and embarked on my new adventure at Smisby in 2018 in the Toddler Room. During this time, I gained so much experience caring for the children, helping their play and teaching them new things. This is where the love for my job really flourished. I loved seeing the children's faces everyday and working as part of a strong team! I also gained experience in covering the baby room, preschool room and smizkids during this time.
The next part of my journey was my time as the Senior Nursery Officer in the Toddler room. I once again learnt so much from my team in the nursery as well as the senior leadership team! I loved having the chance to help new staff settle into the room and to continue to support the children on a daily basis.
In 2020, I gained my First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Education, which was a huge achievement. I worked so hard over the previous 3 years working full time and carrying out my studies. To graduate with a First Class degree was very rewarding.
In the spring of 2021, I was given the opportunity to expand on my role further and step up as the Nursery Manager! To accept this position was very exciting and I wanted to support all the staff, children and parents who share our fantastic nursery.
In late 2022 I asked if I could step down from the Nursery Manager and go back to my role as Head of Toddler Room. It took a while to get Beverley into place and up to speed but I was glad to go back to the role I loved so much before I became Nursery Manager.
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