LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
And the winner is…
We celebrate 31 years of extraordinary dedication with this year’s Belle Tutaev Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Jellybabies Nursery & Pre-school volunteer Brian Kite
Brian has become somewhat of a local legend for his role at Jellybabies over the years. Not only did he have a hand in setting up the nursery and pre-school – alongside his wife, Trish, and twin daughters, Jacqueline and Julie – but he has spent the past 31 years in the role of volunteer at the setting.
Since the very beginning, Brian has spent as much time there as he can, getting involved in every aspect of the day-today and making a huge difference to both staff and children. In fact, such is Brian’s dedication to the children and families at Jellybabies that his volunteer role could easily be classed as a part-time job!
He works at least 20 hours every week, despite now being 86 years old, arriving each morning at 8.30am sharp to help set up the nursery ready for the children’s arrival – an overlooked part of many educators’ days that plays an integral role in the functioning of the nursery.
During these early mornings, Brian helps to set up self-registration for the children, prepare a variety of delicious snacks, and plan activities and trips to benefit the children’s progress while expanding their horizons.
Being a nursery that’s at the heart of the local community, the children regularly get the opportunity to enjoy community-based events, such as Breakfast with Santa and Easter workshops. Brian is always a keen helper for these, ensuring such events can take place successfully. Last year, Breakfast with Santa involved over 70 children with their families, each munching happily while Santa delivered gifts. With Brian’s experience and enthusiasm at the helm, he helped to make sure the day went without a hitch so the children could have a magical morning. Even when it comes to parents’ evenings, Brian can be relied upon to lend a helping hand where needed to relieve some of the Jellybabies team – for which they’re always very grateful.
Brian’s nominator, Jellybabies manager Jaqueline Walker says: “He is so well respected by staff and parents, and is like an adopted grandad to our children, who he’s so good with.”
It’s fair to say that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, personally and professionally. Though having sadly lost both his wife Trish and daughter Julie to cancer – with whom Jellybabies became a family endeavour – Brian has remained steadfast in his dedication to both the children and the setting. He is credited by manager Jacqueline as a core reason for the nursery’s continuation, supporting staff (many of whom are Brian’s family members!) in its running, particularly in recent years!
Still powering on into his late 80s, Brian is truly deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award; long may his enthusiasm and dedication last!
“[He’s] like an adopted grandad to our children”
Under 5 magazine
The magazine of the Early Years Alliance