Celebrating the amazing people of LFF :-)

Last month we spent a lovely afternoon celebrating how wonderful Little Forest Folk educators are. We know that without the people on the ground (our outstanding practioners) we would not be recognised as one of London's finest nurseries. We would not receive daily emails of praise from our families and we would not be changing the lives of inner city London kids, one muddy puddle at a time!

To say thank-you, we hosted an awards celebration to recognise some of our outstanding practitioners. 6 awards were carefully thought out with points taken from the EYFS Development matters and LFF Ethos.

Our staff then nominated their colleagues for each award to help us choose the winners. How wonderful it was reading through them!

And the winners are...

Outstanding Practitioner 2016

This award goes to the person who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the children are given the best possible opportunity to learn, develop and be loved.

This person exhibits best practice, positively engages with children and families, collaborates with the team, and always works to achieve the best outcomes for children and results for the company.

Jose Gomez

“Jose is a strong member of the team. He gets on very well with all of the staff members. Jose is aware of everything that happens around him and is always using his initiative. He remembers everything and gives constant reminders to the team. Jose is hard working and always achieves tasks given to him. he is also able to delegate the team when asked by a senior member of staff.”

“Jose always thinks what’s best for the children, is always committed to his job and pays attention to all details. ”

“Jose gives 100% in terms of interacting, playing and teaching the children.”

The Quiet Achiever

Often fading into the background, the Quiet Achiever holds the team together without asking for praise, assistance or recognition. This person is an all-rounder who ensures that LFF values are promoted, children are cared for and educated and logistics are well managed.

Natalie Elias

“Always gentle and consistent in her approach, Natalie never fails to support her co-workers, the children and families in a patient and softly-spoken, professional manner. ”

Karin Zelko

“She keeps calm and never escalates stressful situations. She is kind and considerate of her everyone and works hard because she cares about the children rather than about being noticed by others. She can voice her opinions if things are not running smoothly, but still does this in a calm way, which is constructive and helpful for keeping morale high in the team.”

The Innovation Award

Someone who is constantly refreshing their ideas, altering their way of thinking, and reflecting on their own practice, and the practice of others.

This person has a wealth of knowledge in creative age-appropriate experiences, and has embedded ‘best practice’ in intentional teaching.

Arturo

“Arturo is always trying to better himself and his practice. He is able to notice any deficiency within the team or within himself and is eager to improve practice at LFF. Arturo works very hard and will go above and beyond for the children and his team. ”

“Although Arturo is a mixture between The Big Kid and The Innovator, since Arturo has been working in his role as deputy manager, he has progressed from being a contender for the big kid to the innovation award. Arturo is always trying to create or bring new things to the site and/or for the children. He also reflects on his practice as he asks for suggestions or strategies to approach to different situations. Affectionately, we call him the “invention man”.”

“Arturo’s ideas never cease to amaze me. His extensions on current projects are inspired, and he always keeps the children’s interests at the forefront of his mind when planning activities.
Arturo can make something out of nothing, and continues to bring energy, enthusiasm and a lust for life to LFF.”

The big kid

This person always has their heart and soul aligned to the children, and is an effective role model for all.

They have mastered a balance of play and education for the children, and are consistently promoting wonder and fun within the forest.

Jenny A

“Jenny always shows that she is having fun, and it really rubs off on the rest of us! The children love her enthusiasm and the way she joins in with suggestions when we decide to ‘freeze like a....’ Jenny role models kind behaviour, her wonder, amazement and excitement of the environment (e.g we have had a little bunny visitor at the fire circle recently) and conflict resolution with the children as she plays with them in ways appropriate to children’s ages and stages of development. ”

Positive relationships

The peacekeeper, this person effectively resolves conflict, promotes open and honest discussions, and supports individual personalities and strengths within the team.

This person has positive relationships with parents, and communicates routines, developmental information and challenging issues in a sensitive yet efficient way.

Nikki

“Nikki is encouraging and positive towards the rest of us and this is really nice for the times when the work can be tiring - she helps keep me motivated to try to do my best as a practitioner when I am not feeling confident in my abilities.

She also sees the best in the children and consistently encourages them to achieve their best, focusing on their strengths”

Nafisa

“The description of this award is an exact description of Nafisa. She is always willing to listen to everyone’s opinions and knows how to keep peace within the team. She understands our strengths and lets us develop them. She always communicates changes to the team in an efficient way. ”

“Nafisa is an incredible listener who ensures all team members feel valued and their opinions respected. She is an effective communicator with everybody, despite having a team of BIG personalities. Nafisa has open and honest communication with families, ensuring they always feel comfortable and supported. Nafisa is trustworthy and mature, prioritising the children, but all the while maintaining cohesion among educators and families.”

“Nafisa is a very special lady and has a gentle style but is wise, calm and mature. Wish I was more like that!!!”

The Greenie

This person is the lead educator in environmental program and practice for both adults and children alike.

Conservation of green-spaces, environmental education for children and sustainability are key drivers for this practitioner, and their practice reflects a holistic and environmentally conscious approach.

Manuel

“Manuel is undoubtedly one of the main educators at LFF Chiswick. When dealing with children his approach is visibly effective. He has a way of getting through to the children with his kind and calm nature. You would think he’s a hypnotiser! He is constantly thinking of ways to adapt the EYFS to the outdoor environment. The children and parents adore Manuel. ”

“Manuel is the practitioner who has most knowledge of the forest and the concept of Forest Schools. He always thinks how not to damage the forest and how to be one with it.”