Award honour for nursery boss Jessica
Glencoats Lodge manager is top of the Scots
A Paisley nursery is celebrating scoring top marks at a national awards ceremony this week.
The manager of Glencoats Lodge Nursery, in Ferguslie Park, scooped the prestigious prize for Manager of the Year at the Scottish NMT Nursery Awards 2018.
Winnner Jessica Collin, 24, said she was overjoyed to accept the big award.
She beat thousands of nursery managers from across the country when she impressed a panel of judges with her care and commitment.
Jessica told the Express: “I was very surprised to win – obviously it was great to even make into the top five shortlist.
“There were thousands of applicants, so to win was amazing.
“Lots of parents helped me and wrote testimonials and I am so grateful. It feels great to be appreciated.”
Members of staff from the Blackstoun Road nursery attended the glitzy bash at the Hilton hotel last month.
The nursery team wore glamorous gowns and sipped champagne as they toasted to their success.
In addition to celebrating Jessica’s win the team also rallied together to applaud Cheryl McBride who was runner-up for the Nursery Nurse of the Year award.
And the firm which runs Glencoats Lodge, Collin Care, was runner up in the Nursery Group of the Year prize.
Jessica, who will celebrate 10 years working in childcare next April, says it was amazing for the nursery to achieve so much recognition.
She said: “We only took over the nursery in February last year so even to be shortlisted in so many categories is brilliant.
“I can’t wait to put my team forward for next year’s awards and hopefully we can have a great night again.”
Until then Jessica says this year’s trophy will hold pride of place in her office.
The happy news of Jessica’s win was welcome relief following the news of a devastating break-in at the centre last month.
Staff and children were left heartbroken when they discovered their happy place had been torn apart on August 13.
Heartless thieves broke into the facility with a crowbar and forced open a safe to steal children’s fundraising money for their beloved garden.
They went on to leave a trail of destruction, smashing holes through the baby room’s wall and snatching a laptop and iPads the kids play with.
Jessica said: “After the break-in it was all a bit of a whirlwind but the awards ceremony was definitely a great way to remind us of all the support we have.”
Lots of parents helped me and wrote testimonials and I am so grateful