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Jeremy Corbyn in Corby
Jeremy Corbyn visited Pen Green as part of his campaign
I was sitting at my desk responding to the many emails that come through on a daily basis when I took a call via main reception, ‘it’s someone from the Labour group. ’My initial thought was that it would be someone from the Corby Labour group and I continued to multi-task responding to my emails and answering the phone call, not best practice but trying to complete the task!
I was greeted by a male who informed me that he was from the East Midlands Labour group and that Pen Green had been recommended as a place to visit. He asked if there would be any possibility of them visiting Pen Green. I said that we would welcome a visit, but who would actually be visiting? At this point he said ‘oh it will be Jeremy Corbyn and some of his team.’ I tried to remain calm and act like this was a very usual request for us, whilst trying to attract my colleague’s attention across the desk, I pointed to the phone and mouthed Jeremy, Jeremy!
No longer able to concentrate on the emails, I listened very carefully to what I was agreeing to. Jeremy Corbyn as part of his campaign would like to visit Pen Green Centre on Friday 8th September to meet parents and gain a better understanding about the work of the Centre. Pen Green have been highly recommended as an established, nationally and internationally renowned high quality Early Years centre. With a quick glance at my electronic calendar, I agreed that this visit could take place. Once again I was trying contain my excitement and now writing notes to my colleague to keep her informed. I was asked to keep the visit quiet as it was a closed visit and that the East Midlands Labour group would inform the press and media. I was also informed that they would need to do a security visit to the centre prior to the visit.
When I put the phone down, I realised what I had just agreed to do. I informed the Local Authority of the phone call and provisional date for the visit and contacted our chair of Governors. In the couple of weeks that followed, we had lots of phone calls to prepare for the visit, we supported a security visit and spoke to staff and parents about Jeremy’s expectations for the visit. As a Centre Leadership Team we planned how we would support the visit on the actual day, assigning roles and responsibilities.
In the usual Corby tradition, we thought it would be rather fitting for bagpiper’s to play and lead Jeremy into the Centre on arrival. We managed to find two pipers, Daniel Studders and Bailey Dickson who had both attended Pen Green Nursery as young children, they were honoured to be asked to do this.
Friday 8th September arrived and there was a real buzz in the centre, lots of excitement and some anxiety, we so wanted to get this right and make sure that we made an impression on Jeremy that would influence Labour’s policies in the future.
Parents gathered in the family room, preparing to share their stories with the minister. The TV cameras and media arrived, all anticipating Jeremy’s imminent arrival. His team informed us that he was running slightly late. His team tried to manage the camera crew and media, as we kept the centre staff and parents updated.
CLT hovered in reception, being very mindful of security and keeping children and families safe during our ministerial visit. Our Chair of Governors was poised outside waiting to meet Jeremy from the car and welcome him to Pen Green. The bag pipes sounded outside and we knew that Jeremy had arrived, as Joint Heads of Centre we were introduced to Jeremy and had the role of tour guides.
Jeremy was very open and receptive, I was struck by the attention he gave to everyone that he spoke with, this included staff, parents and children. He was interested and took time to really listen. He was particularly thoughtful when engaging with parents as they shared their stories, Jeremy acknowledged their strengths and their pain. He was particularly interested in how Pen Green had made a difference. Jeremy said that he was very impressed with what he had seen in the centre and that he would definitely be considering funding early intervention through an integrated approach in the future. He also said that he believed that 30 hours of childcare should be available for all children and particularly for the most vulnerable if we are to narrow the gap.
I would like to thank all staff, governors, parents and children for supporting us on this day. A special thank you to Gail McDade who suggested the visit to Pen Green, without her this visit may never have taken place. Thank you East Midlands Labour Group for making it happen. Last but not least thank you Jeremy for taking the time to visit Pen Green and mentioning us in you recent speech at the Labour Conference.
Maintained nursery schools and integrated Centres are the Early Intervention Hubs in communities, unfortunately their funding is being chipped away and making it almost impossible to be responsive to the needs of families. Investment is vital if we are to tackle social mobility, poverty and children’s life chances. The first five years are critical in a child’s development, let’s show that children really matter, they are our future. Investment in the Early Years will pay off, but it is not a quick win!
