Creating a Positive Culture for Staff and Children in Your Nursery Setting
At Connect Childcare, we believe that creating a positive culture in your nursery isn’t just important—it’s essential. It’s the foundation that supports both your staff and the children in your setting to continuously learn, develop and grow as individuals.
After every webinar, we ask for feedback to better understand the needs of the early years community. One question that’s come up repeatedly is how to create and maintain a positive culture in your early years setting. It’s a topic we’ve explored before, more recently in an insightful article with Early Years Expert, Alison Featherbe. Alison highlighted the importance of vision, values, and understanding your ‘why,’ as well as the crucial role that leadership and management play in shaping the culture within your nursery.
In this blog, we’ll explore how you, as nursery managers and leaders, can create a nurturing environment for both your staff and the children.
How do you create a positive environment in a nursery?
Creating a positive environment in a nursery setting is about more than just arranging the physical space—it’s about building a culture where both children and staff feel valued, motivated, and inspired. As the Birth to Five Matters guidance emphasises, the physical environment should nurture and inspire children. But to truly achieve this, the culture within your setting must motivate and inspire your staff as well.
If your nursery doesn’t currently have a positive culture, it’s unlikely that your staff— practitioners or early years educators—will feel motivated to inspire the children in their care. After all, inspiration often begins from within, and it’s difficult to ignite passion in others if you’re not feeling it yourself. So, how can leaders and managers make a positive change?
How can nursery leaders and managers create a positive culture?
Working in an early years setting is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be demanding and exhausting. The morale of your staff directly impacts the atmosphere in your nursery, and ultimately, how happy and settled the children are. To ensure your staff can give their best to the children, they need to feel valued, supported, and part of a positive culture.
Here are some key strategies to help you create that positive culture:
1. Lead by example
As a leader, your actions set the tone for the entire nursery. By demonstrating enthusiasm, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement, you can inspire your team to do the same. Show that you value each team member, encourage open communication, and be receptive to feedback.
2. Promote professional growth
Investing in your staff’s professional development is crucial. Provide regular training opportunities, encourage attendance at early years conferences and webinars, and create a culture of learning. When your team feels they are growing and developing, they’ll be more passionate and committed to their work.
3. Prioritise staff wellbeing
A positive culture begins with wellbeing. Make sure your staff have access to resources that support their mental and physical health. This might include flexible working hours, mental health support, or simply creating a comfortable space where staff can relax and recharge during breaks.
4. Encourage collaboration and shared vision
Create opportunities for your team to collaborate, share ideas, and develop a collective vision for the nursery. When everyone feels part of a shared vision, it’s easier to build a cohesive, positive environment.
5. Celebrate successes
Recognise and celebrate the achievements of both staff and children. Whether it’s through regular team meetings, staff awards like ‘Colleague of the Month,’ or simply offering words of appreciation, acknowledging successes boosts morale and motivates continued excellence.
6. Ask for feedback and suggestions
Regularly seek feedback and suggestions from your team, both anonymously and in group settings. However, gathering feedback is only the first step—it’s important to act on it too. Discuss the feedback openly in team meetings, brainstorm potential improvements together, and encourage your team to contribute their ideas. Show that you value their input by actively listening and incorporating their suggestions into meaningful actions.
7. Recognise your team
It’s the little things that can make a big difference. Consider implementing recognition initiatives like ‘Employee Appreciation Day’ or ‘National Chocolate Bar Day,’ where you reward staff with their favourite treats. Simple gestures like these can go a long way in showing your team they’re appreciated.
Key considerations for nursery managers
As a nursery manager, your role is not only to oversee the daily operations but also to lead and support your team in creating a nurturing environment for the children. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
1. Handle mistakes gracefully
Mistakes are inevitable, both for you and your staff. We’ve all heard the famous quote ‘our mistakes do not define us, but how we react to them does‘. Rather than assigning blame, focus on understanding the root cause and finding constructive solutions. Address mistakes with empathy and use them as learning opportunities to help your team grow and improve.
2. Managing your emotions
As a leader, your emotional state can significantly impact your team and the children in your care. It’s important to express your feelings in a professional and measured manner. By managing your emotions, you set a positive example for your staff, helping to create a calm and supportive atmosphere in the nursery.
3. Committing to equal opportunity and fair treatment
Ensure that every member of your team is treated with fairness and respect. Commit to equal opportunities in hiring, training, and day-to-day interactions. A diverse and inclusive work environment promotes creativity, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, which ultimately benefits both staff and children.
4. Offering flexibility
Where possible, offer flexibility to your team. Understanding that everyone has different needs and responsibilities outside of work can help you support your staff better. Whether it’s adjusting work hours, or accommodating personal commitments, flexibility can boost morale and reduce stress.
Building a positive culture in your nursery or childcare setting is crucial for success. When your nursery has a supportive and encouraging environment, your staff are more likely to feel happy and motivated. This, in turn, creates a welcoming space where children can play, learn and develop according to their individual needs.
If you missed our recent webinar, “Creating a Strong Early Years Culture and Curriculum” with Alison Featherbe, don’t worry—you can catch up on it here. It’s packed with valuable insights to help you build a strong culture and enhance your early years setting.
Remember, a positive culture isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. By focusing on creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, you’re setting the stage for both staff and children to succeed.
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About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare