The Beehive Kindergarten and Beehive Babywing in Onchan have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first early years settings on the Isle of Man to receive the Prem Aware Award. This recognition comes from the charity The Smallest Things and acknowledges the completion of specialised training aimed at enhancing staff understanding of the unique challenges faced by children born prematurely.
The award follows the nursery team’s successful completion of PRISM training, which specifically targets the developmental and learning needs of premature children. This training equips educators with the skills to identify individual needs earlier and provide timely, tailored support to enhance the educational experience for these vulnerable children.
Commitment to Early Development
Orla Fox, deputy manager at The Beehive Kindergarten, expressed the team’s appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the programme. She stated, “As a nursery setting, we always focus on the children in our care and their needs. We tailor our professional development training around this to ensure their time and experiences with us are the best possible.”
Fox highlighted her personal motivation for introducing the training, stemming from her own experience as a parent of a premature baby. Her son, Luca, now attends the kindergarten. She remarked, “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.”
Catriona Ogilvy, founder and chair of The Smallest Things, praised the Beehive’s commitment to the training. She noted that the nursery’s proactive approach demonstrates a clear dedication to meeting the needs of pupils born prematurely. Ogilvy emphasized the crucial role trained staff can play in supporting these children and improving their long-term outcomes.
Resources for Better Support
The Prem Aware scheme promotes the use of the PRISM team’s free online training resource, which outlines the impact premature birth can have on development and learning. This initiative aims to raise awareness among early years settings and encourage more facilities to adopt similar training programmes.
The achievement of the Beehive Kindergarten and Beehive Babywing reflects a growing recognition of the importance of specialised training in early childhood education. With their pioneering role on the Isle of Man, these settings are setting a precedent for others to follow, ultimately benefiting children who are born prematurely and their families.
