How Do We Create A Family Like Culture?
At The Little Learners Montessori, we believe that the best care and education for children starts with a team that feels inspired, connected, and supported. That’s why each year, we bring our whole team together for a themed Professional Development Day. Not just for training, but to celebrate our shared values, invest in personal and professional growth, and strengthen our family-like culture.
This year’s theme?
Arabian Nights. 🧞♂️✨ And it was, quite simply, magical.
Why We Do It
Professional development days at The Little Learners aren’t just a tick-box exercise. They’re part of our commitment to building a strong, values-led community across all our nurseries.
By focusing on wellbeing, Early Years skill-building, and genuine connection, we’re shaping a culture that has a direct impact on every classroom, every relationship, and every child’s nursery experience. We rotate the theme each year to create excitement and make each year fun, engaging and memorable. Last year’s theme was Wild Western, and it was incredible seeing all our team turn up with high spirits and all dress as cowboys and cowgirls!
The Importance of Wellbeing
The morning began with a peaceful yoga and breathwork session in the garden. A moment to slow down, reconnect, and set the tone for the day. Watching our team stretch, laugh, and breath together in the sunshine reminded us that investing in ourselves is just as important as the work we do.
Team Bonding
Afterwards, we gathered for a delicious Arabian inspired lunch, where teams from all four settings had the chance to catch up, chat, and bond outside of the usual workday rhythm.
CPD Training Voted by the Team
This year, our staff voted for the workshop topics they most wanted to see, and we delivered.
The top three workshops were:
- SEN & Inclusion strategies
- Behaviour Management in Early Years
- Safeguarding Scenarios
Each session was tailored to specific age groups and roles to ensure it was relevant, engaging and meaningful. This kind of staff-led development is exactly what helps our team thrive, and in turn, it raises the quality of care and education we provide across every nursery.
From Learning to Celebration
As the sun began to set, the magic turned up a notch.
We took a moment to reflect on the incredible year we’ve had as a company, including:
- Cricklewood receiving an Outstanding Ofsted rating
- Watford also achieving Outstanding from an independent inspection
- Finalists in the National NMT Nursery Awards
- Winners of the Nursery Manager of the Year Award
- Dozens of staff successfully completing their Level 2, 3 and 5 qualifications through our very own Montessori Apprentice Academy.
We also recognised long-standing team members with 5-year service plaques, and celebrated staff from each branch who were nominated by their colleagues in key categories like Outstanding Leadership, Montessori Practice, Most Creative, and more.
In our newly build outdoor cabin, a tarot card reader offered team members the chance to glimpse into their future, a fun, mystical touch that had everyone talking.
Final Thoughts
In the busy rhythm of nursery life, it’s easy to forget to pause and reflect. Days like this remind us why we do what we do, and the incredible people we do it with.
When we take time to nurture our team culture, it creates a happy and motivated team, which is reflected in the day to day practice of our four nursery settings.
To our incredible team, thank you for showing up, getting involved, and bringing your incredible energy to the day. We’re proud of what we’re building together, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.
With warmth,
The Little Learners Team
