Hygge in Early Years
[vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”column_reverse” column_direction_phone=”column_reverse” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”3%” left_padding_tablet=”8%” constrain_group_4=”yes” right_padding_tablet=”8%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-8-percent” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”none” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bottom_padding=”10″ top_padding_tablet=”8%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_highlighted_text color_type=”gradient” highlight_color=”#8eac48″ secondary_color=”rgba(255,107,48,0.01)” style=”half_text” custom_font_size=”7vh”]
Hygge in early years
[/nectar_highlighted_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”none” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” right_padding_tablet=”25%” right_padding_phone=”0″ text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”0px” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][split_line_heading animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” font_style=”p” line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”none” content_alignment=”default” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” link_target=”_self” text_content=”Hygge is a Danish term that cannot be defined to just one word. It is the moments of happiness and cosiness you share with friends; it is home from home, its feeling safe and secure and marvelling the wonders of nature. Hygge, a “good hug, but without the physical contact”, a feeling that can’t be translated.
Hygge is something we have embraced as a business and as a team. It has enabled us to look at the simple things in life and how we can enjoy them as individuals and together so much more everything about Abbotswood Academy encompasses Hygge, embodying a feeling of comfort, contentment, and togetherness. Hygge has not only transformed our nursery and training environments into warm, cosy spaces, it’s provided us with reflection, encouraging us to live in the moment and put happiness at the centre of all that we do.
Through our hygge journey we have created an environment that values everyone’s emotional well-being. We took the time to think about what is important to us as a business and a community and made improving staff well-being a main focus. Now operating in a hygge way is natural to us as a nursery and as individuals. We know that by providing a ‘home from home’ helps build connections, creates a sense of security, and promotes emotional well-being. We know that children cannot reach their full potential without a high level of well-being, which is why we provide children with special moments such as yoga in the forest, trips to the care home, exploring the nature reserve, sipping hot chocolates, and baking.
The Hygge Approach places emphasis on physical spaces; twinkly lights, dens and soft furnishings provide a calm, ambient atmosphere that allows our children to lead their play, developing their skills and knowledge in a relaxing space. We bring the outdoors in, adapting our spaces according to the season, so children are really immersed what is happening outside, even when they are in. A feeling of Hygge is evident in all our training through the way we deliver workshops and the knowledge you will gain from our Abbotswood Academy trainers.” font_size=”1.1vw” font_line_height=”1.7″ font_size_tablet=”18px” font_size_phone=”16px”][/split_line_heading][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”0px” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” left_padding_tablet=”10%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”558″ background_image_position=”center center” background_image_stacking=”default” enable_bg_scale=”true” background_image_loading=”default” column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”very_subtle” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default” column_padding_type=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”120vh” custom_height_tablet=”70vh” custom_height_phone=”60vh”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” translate_y=”-50%” text_align=”left” row_position=”absolute” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” top_position_desktop=”50%” left_position_desktop=”20%” min_width_desktop=”40%” zindex=”50″ overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ background_image=”884″ background_image_position=”center center” background_image_stacking=”default” enable_bg_scale=”true” background_image_loading=”default” column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”x_large_depth” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”parallax” animation_movement_type=”default” column_parallax_intensity=”2.25″ persist_movement_on_mobile=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”very_subtle” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default” column_padding_type=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”45vh” custom_height_tablet=”40vh” custom_height_phone=”35vh”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” bottom_padding=”5%” left_padding_desktop=”2%” constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”2%” top_padding_tablet=”10%” constrain_group_3=”yes” bottom_padding_tablet=”10%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” disable_element=”yes” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” sticky_content=”true” sticky_content_functionality=”css” sticky_content_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_highlighted_text color_type=”gradient” highlight_color=”#8eac48″ style=”half_text” custom_font_size=”7vh”]
Hygge in early years
[/nectar_highlighted_text][vc_column_text]We have been on our own journey ourselves; just a few years ago we did not have effective, inspirational leaders, our rooms were over-stimulating, we had unmotivated staff and unengaging environments. It took a conscious decision and fresh eyes to identify the need for change, as our appeal to work with us was low, staff turnover was high, and the nursery generally operated at a 65% occupancy. But we couldn’t work out how.
We invested in a consultant, someone who could identify our issues and lead us to success. In reality, our ex-Ofsted inspector consultant was ineffective, upsetting for the staff team and didn’t give us any long-term achievements. This experience, plus a few more ‘mocksteds’, was the spark for our Academy. How could we look at training a nursery differently?
COVID-19 hit; the early years sector was catapulted into unknown territory, and we realised the importance of us. With a huge demand for supporting personal, social, and emotional and promoting well-being for children, staff, and parents, we had to come up with something different.
This was our chance to create change. We took everything back to basics, staff engagement, environments and developed the vision and ethos of Abbotswood.
We re-structured roles and responsibilities, collaborating with Roxanne, who came to us with the drive to take her years of experience and implement her wisdom. Together we created:
1. A clear vision and goals that the team were involved in creating.
2. We identified what type of setting we wanted to be, and we believed in – getting to know the staff, identifying their strengths and utilising that.
3. We moved outdoors – our primary space.
4. We simplified the environment; we decluttered the loud rooms and created calm, intentional spaces to play, a space where the children and adults enjoyed being in.
5. We implemented a robust apprenticeship programme; we employ and nurture three times the number of apprentices the nursery needs.
Once we had the basics in place, it was time to build on it and we went on a journey of discovery. What happened next?
We have since built and opened a 60-place pre-school lodge, we’ve extended our nursery to accommodate over 100 children every day and employed and developed 50 staff, who are level 2 apprentices all the way up to qualified teachers. When you invest in your team, when they understand the why, when the team see their workplace as a place of opportunity – you are limitless in what you can achieve.
We want you to come on our training because it not only refreshes your knowledge, but we believe it inspires. It makes you think differently. You take something away. We don’t have all the answers, but we do have the skills to help you empower staff and parents go on their own journey of discovery about the magic of early years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]