UK Enterprise 2020

162 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 Established in 2010 by parents Kerrie-Ann and Mark Wynter, Moonstone Day Care has evolved from a childminding service to a full day care organisation operating across five centres in the West Midlands. Their promise centres around a simple but effective mantra, ‘Happy Staff, Happy Children, Happy Parents’. Most Nurturing Childcare Environment 2020 - West Midlands Jul20229 What began a decade ago as a childminding service started by parents of two young children, has since flourished into a full day care company for children aged six months to four years old, as well as a wrap around care service for school children aged five to eleven years old. Recognising the anxiety many parents feel at leaving their children for the first time, the Moonstone team have dedicated their efforts to creating an atmosphere that feels like a home away from home. By ensuring staff are happy, a friendly environment is created that makes children happy as well and in turn, parents are also happy and comfortable leaving their children in the safe hands of the Moonstone team. A moonstone is a precious gem, with a fascinating defining quality; they take on different colours dependent on how the light shines on it. The Wynters believe that this is an apt description for children, who are all very different but can really shine under the right light. By working in close partnership with parents, Moonstone is able to provide quality care and education, and help raise leaders for life. Perhaps controversially, the most important thing to Kerrie-Ann and Mark is the staff, and the children and parents are just behind them. To provide the very best care, the staff must consider childcare much more than just a job, but a passion in which they are wholly invested and committed. Moonstone are proof that parents and children are most satisfied when the team is happy and eager to work. Therefore, Moonstone invests heavily in its team and all of the current managers are homegrown talent who started as practitioners or team leaders and have moved up within Moonstone. It is a very supportive environment, in which the team are a family, able to discuss advice, the work-life balance or anything else that may weigh upon them. When recruiting new staff, the Wynters look for personality above experience, and a desire to learn. Through open access to the SLT, supervision, staff meetings and training days, Moonstone consistently offers their team opportunities to thrive. Operating across five sites in the West Midlands, each site has seen a lot of changes within the day care industry over the years. Seven years ago, more children were in nursery full time than they are currently. As a result of the increasing costs of childcare, many parents now rely on other family members for care instead, or they themselves stay at home and send their children to day care later, when they are over two years old. As a result, speech and communication skills are delayed, increasing the number of SEND children on registers, putting pressure on services for these children. Moonstone is well equipped and experienced for caring for SEND children at their own facilities, and being based in the UK means the organisation has to access to some of the government-funded aids for childcare. However, this funding is arguably inadequate, which places stress on Moonstone and its competitors. This has been felt particularly during the recent pandemic, but Moonstone has remained resilient. Remaining open for the children of Key workers or vulnerable parents, Moonstone was welcome support for these families. As restrictions ease and other children return to the centres, they are noticing gaps in the development of children resulting in many families keeping their children at home. The financial concerns of many families are also resulting in a decrease in attendance, yet Moonstone’s efforts are not to be deterred. They are currently researching online options for providing support to their community so as to continue investing in children’s vital development. Although this organisation is currently working through harsh times, there is no doubt that the important work Moonstone do will continue to play a key role in the growth of the generations to come. Company: Moonstone Day Care Contact: Kerrie-Ann Wynter Web Address: www.moonstonedaycare.co.uk