Congratulations to Jay on His Outstanding Achievement!
We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate a fantastic accomplishment by one of our nursery managers, Jay, who has recently completed his Level 7 Strategic Leadership Course with a Distinction—an outstanding achievement that truly deserves recognition. Jay achieves Distinction in Level 7, reflecting his commitment to both personal and professional growth.
Jay completed the course through The Childcare Company (Impact Futures UK) while managing the nursery at Happy Days Saltford. His dedication to continuous learning and leadership in early years education is truly inspiring. In his own words:
“This achievement means so much to me. Personally, it’s helped me believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Professionally, it’s given me the confidence to lead my team through any challenge, equipped me with a deeper understanding of leadership, and the skills to explain and guide my team through decisions.”
Balancing a demanding role, studying, and family life—including supporting his six-year-old son who has special educational needs—Jay showed incredible resilience. Jay achieves Distinction in Level 7 thanks to his time management, determination, and the support of his husband and the team around him.
“It was tough at times,” Jay shared. “Working full-time while studying and supporting my son took a lot of late nights and careful planning. But being able to role model to my son that he too can achieve anything really motivated me to do my best.”
Jay’s new skills will help him continue to mentor and empower his team at Happy Days Saltford, supporting them as leaders and practitioners. He’s committed to sharing his knowledge and helping his team understand decisions, roles, and the wider picture of working as part of a growing organisation.
Jay’s journey into early years education is a story of determination and passion. Initially advised against pursuing a legal career, he was inspired to work with children after his nieces and nephews came to live with his family. Despite doubts from others, he pursued early years education with determination—and hasn’t looked back.
As a male in early years, Jay has encountered misconceptions about men in childcare—such as the idea that men aren’t nurturing or that they can’t relate to young children. Jay passionately challenges these assumptions:
“There are so many men who are nurturing, and some children respond really well to male practitioners. Not all men are sporty—I’d rather read a story or do arts and crafts than play football! Early years is about having the right passion and skills to support every child.”
Jay hopes his story will inspire other men to consider a career in early years education:
“We need diversity in early years, and everyone has something valuable to bring. The role is so rewarding, and the more male practitioners join the sector, the more those misconceptions will disappear.”
Since joining Happy Days, Jay has felt fully supported:
“From the moment I had my initial interview, I knew I belonged at Happy Days. I’ve already felt empowered to drive positive change and use my knowledge to make a difference.”
So, what’s next for Jay? Never one to rest on his laurels, he’s already signed up to complete his Level 3 SENCO award! In the longer term, he aims to return to regional work, supporting managers across different Happy Days nurseries—always keeping his passion for working with children at the heart of what he does.
Jay’s advice to anyone thinking of developing their leadership skills is clear:
“Do it! It might feel tough at times, but you’ll come out stronger. We never stop learning, and higher-level qualifications can open so many doors. Above all, do it for yourself, and celebrate your achievements.”
Jay, from all of us at Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools: Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment! Your hard work, passion, and leadership inspire us every day. Jay achieves Distinction in Level 7—and we couldn’t be prouder!
