Nurseries are a real lesson in reaching communities

As the largest registered provider of church-based childcare in the UK, Elim nurseries have a huge impact on their communities. Jemma Maslen told Chris Rolfe the full story

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What children love about nursery is the friendship, care and routines,” says Jemma Maslen. “When they’d been locked down for weeks, to go back and play with their friends was the best thing ever.”

As Jemma is talking to Direction, it’s December and England has just emerged from another national lockdown.

Jemma heads up Elim’s network of 19 Ofsted-approved English nurseries, which is in the top 25 of all childcare providers in England by size. We asked her about the impact of the past year upon them and the families they serve.

The pandemic forced all but three nurseries to close at some point during 2020, Jemma explains. But she is excited that 2021 offers fresh opportunities as the UK attempts to adopt a ‘new normal’.

One huge strength to build on that was evident during lockdown is the positive impact Elim nurseries have on their communities.

“We have one nursery, Little Treasures at Westcliff-on-Sea, and they’re famous in their area for working well with children with additional needs. They’ve built up a reputation of being really good at looking after and educating the children, and caring for the families too.

“When the local authority becomes aware of a child with additional needs that need to be met through childcare, our nursery is the first place they ring.”

This service proved vital when the UK went into lockdown last March. Little Treasures stayed open to accommodate the children of key workers.

Other nurseries did likewise, Jemma adds.