Sustainable Stars: Tops Day Nurseries Shines at OMEP European Conference in Sweden
Cheryl Hadland, Founder and Chairwoman at Tops Day Nurseries, and Ciara Lightburn, Senior Nursery Manager at Tops Day Nurseries Devonport, proudly represented sustainability in early years education at the OMEP European Conference held in Kristianstad, Sweden, from April 24th to 26th, 2024. Their recent recognition with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development highlights their invaluable contributions to the Early Years sector. This achievement not only speaks to their dedication but also drove their participation in the OMEP conference.
OMEP champions children’s rights and well-being worldwide, focusing on quality early childhood education and care (ECEC). As the only organisation with a UN seat and close ties to UNESCO and UNICEF, its global impact is substantial, yet often overlooked in the UK—a concern Cheryl and Ciara addressed at the conference.
Hosted by OMEP Sweden in collaboration with Kristianstad University, the conference invited esteemed ambassadors from European national committees to explore the theme of “Sustainability from the Start.” Through engaging discussions, attendees addressed critical topics such as sustainability, play, teaching, development, and research methodology in early childhood education.
In addition to participating in conference sessions, Ciara and Cheryl played key roles in a symposium on the OMEP Bronze award. Ciara shared her journey to achieving the OMEP Bronze accreditation at Tops Devonport, showcasing innovative practices that transformed sustainability within Tops Day Nurseries. Through a captivating video presentation, Ciara detailed her team’s dedication and the impactful changes made along the way.
Cheryl Hadland said: “The OMEP conference was a great opportunity to discuss how children’s rights to thrive in the future are being ruined by unsustainable actions, and more importantly what we can all do to protect and advocate for children going forward. Education for sustainable citizenship enables children to learn about caring for the environment, empathy, creativity, and resilience from the very start, and my wish is that the UK government will include sustainability within the inspection framework in England as soon as possible, following the likes of, Scotland, Wales, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand”.
Ciara Lightburn said: “Introducing the OMEP Education for Sustainable Citizenship Award has been a truly rewarding experience for us. Our efforts to enhance environmental sustainability have included initiatives like establishing a book repair station and maintaining an always-open play shop. Additionally, we’re delighted to see the children actively sharing sustainable practices with their families, such as bird identification and home food cultivation. We are excited about our journey ahead and are excited to advance from the bronze to the silver and gold awards”.
Ciara and Cheryl’s active participation underscored Tops Day Nurseries’ unwavering commitment to pioneering sustainable practices and improving learning environments for young children. Their valuable insights and contributions at the OMEP European Conference demonstrate Tops Day Nurseries’ dedication to shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for the next generation.
More About Tops Day Nurseries and the Queens Award:
Tops Day Nurseries provides eco-sustainable Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to school age. They recently achieved a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development for providing inspiration and genuinely driving change to the early years sector. Cheryl, provides thought leadership and challenges industry norms, for instance in tackling the huge range of disposable items and one-use plastics, such as nappies, gloves and glitter normally used in the sector. Tops have shown that even the smallest of us can change the way we live for the future of humanity, and they continue to champion this message and encourage individuals to do the same.
To find out more about Tops Day Nurseries, please visit www.topsdaynurseries.co.uk
More about OMEP:
OMEP, established in 1948, has been at the forefront of global efforts to ensure every child’s right to education, health, and well-being. With a network spanning across more than 70 countries, OMEP plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, conducting research, and fostering collaboration to enhance the quality of early childhood education worldwide. To learn more about OMEP, please contact escomepuk@gmail.com