Amy Fagan, a nursery teacher at Millbrook Park School in Barnet, has been nominated for the Collection Pot’s teacher of the year award after going the extra mile to ensure each young child has a good first experience at nursery. Miss Fagan said she was ‘extremely happy’ as it was a ’real shock’ one morning to open the nomination email, put forward by parent Kay Pang.
She shared how this exciting feeling extends beyond the nomination and is “pleased to see the recognition of the teamwork involved in the nursery stages and these fundamental first steps for children”. At the beginning of the nursery year, last September, Kay Pang reflected: “My daughter suffers from anxiety, and for the first week of school, she cried every morning and refused to go in.
“But Miss Fagan didn’t brush it off or push her aside. She gave her time, introduced her to friends, and created a space where she felt safe.”
Miss Fagan spoke about how supporting Miss Pang’s daughter involved teamwork and that the parents were very supportive. She spoke about the significance of nursery in childhood: “This is a big moment for parents to pass their most precious one to nursery, and a huge deal for children leaving their parents for the first time”.
The influence of The Colour Monster
For many, the nursery group is the first educational setting away from home, and it can be a significant transition that requires a lot of trust. At the beginning of the year, one class typically has around 39 pupils. Fagan shared how ensuring a staggered and small-group introduction allows ‘getting to know each child, what they like, and what works best for them’, especially when this is their first experience of a school setting.
Kang Pang said, “When my daughter finally walked in without crying, Miss Fagan and her team celebrated her like it was the biggest victory, and for us, it was.”
One method Miss Fagan uses to help settle the class is The Colour Monster, which is a children’s book for which there are also posters and interactive tools allowing children to express how they feel through different colours, enhancing their ability to share feelings by self-regulation.
But the real difference, Miss Fagan shares, ‘is giving each child the time they need to settle in’. In reflection of the current education climate, Miss Fagan added: “It’s not been the easiest time, but it is important to make a difference and really help the families.”
As these pupils now move into reception, ‘it is an emotional time seeing how much progress each child has made,’ Miss Fagan added. The winner of the 2025 Collection Pot’s Teacher of the Year competition will be announced on July 4th.
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