Eyes on Early Years Volume 13 | Seite 9

Nursery Leaders EYES on Early Years Magazine Rifat Parvez We would like to add some interviews with Nursery Leaders, to our ‘EYES on Early Years’ magazine. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact [email protected] along with a photo of yourself and a high resolution setting logo (both in jpeg format). Our team will then send you the questions below. Question How did you enter your career in early years? How long have you held this role? Nursery Leader’s Response It all started back when I was still at school and volunteered to work for SOS Children’s Village. I was offered a placement to teach creative arts every week. I was inspired to open my arms to children who required economic and psychosocial support. From there, I never turned back, I knew then that teaching was my passion! I have been leading and managing early years settings for the past 8 years. I have been involved in the education field for the past 14 years. Who is your inspiration? My inspiration is Khawla Al Serkal, the Director General of Sharjah Ladies Club, who believes in the strength of each team member. She empowers me each day to be my best at work. What do you look for when you are recruiting a new member of staff, to join your team? Our setting looks for new hires who are engaged with the vision of our preschool. We ascertain their enthusiasm and passion about teaching in early years. We look for candidates who are willing to take responsibility and are ambitious, skilled, qualified, experienced and eager to learn. Which Early Years theorist would you most like to have dinner with? I would like to have dinner with Jean Piaget. Piaget's theory has had a major impact on the practice of Early Years Education. It has helped to create a view where the focus of attention is on the idea of developmentally appropriate education that meets children's physical and cognitive abilities and also social and emotional needs.