The Beehive Kindergarten and Beehive Babywing in Onchan have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first early years setting on the Isle of Man to receive the Prem Aware Award. This recognition, granted by the charity The Smallest Things, underscores the nursery’s commitment to enhancing support for children born prematurely.
The award follows the completion of PRISM training by the nursery team, which focuses on understanding the developmental and learning needs often faced by premature children. This initiative aims to equip educators with tools to identify these needs early and provide specialized support tailored to each child’s requirements.
Commitment to Professional Development
Orla Fox, deputy manager at The Beehive Kindergarten, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this program. “As a nursery setting, we always focus on the children in our care and their needs,” she stated. “We tailor our professional development training around this to ensure their time and experiences with us are the best possible.” Fox emphasized the profound impact the training has had on her team, stating they are “extremely proud and honoured” to be the first setting on the Isle of Man to achieve this accolade.
Fox also shared a personal connection to the initiative, revealing that her experience as a parent of a premature baby inspired her to introduce the training. Her son, Luca, now attends the nursery. She noted, “Thanks to the PRISM training that our amazing team have undertaken, they will have the knowledge and skills to enhance learning experiences in nursery – not just for Luca, but for all of the other children in our care too.”
Impact on Long-Term Outcomes
Catriona Ogilvy, founder and chair of The Smallest Things, praised the Beehive Kindergarten for its proactive approach to training. She highlighted the nursery’s clear commitment to addressing the needs of pupils born prematurely, stating, “Trained staff can play a crucial role in supporting children and improving their long-term outcomes.” Ogilvy emphasized that such training is essential in ensuring that children receive the support they need to thrive.
The Prem Aware scheme promotes the use of the PRISM team’s free online training resources, which detail the impact of premature birth on development and learning. By implementing this training, The Beehive Kindergarten sets a precedent for early years settings across the region, demonstrating a commitment to best practices in childcare.
This recognition not only highlights the importance of specialized training for educators but also reflects a growing awareness of the unique challenges faced by premature infants. As more settings like The Beehive Kindergarten take steps to enhance their training, the potential for improved outcomes for these vulnerable children increases significantly.
