Jill Hamer, our Centre Director at Busy Bees Coventry Allesley Green has worked for Busy Bees for an astonishing 31 years
Published: 21/11/2023
Jill Hamer, our Centre Director at Busy Bees Coventry Allesley Green has worked for Busy Bees for an astonishing 31 years.
She joined as a Room Manager, progressed to Centre Director and has been managing the nursery for more than 20 years.
In her time with Busy Bees Jill has won various accolades for the outstanding standards she continues to set.
For anyone that lives near Allesley Green in Coventry or has worked for Busy Bees for some time, will know the fantastic reputation Jill and her team have established in the local area over the last 30 years.
Her commitment to her role is still visible today and it is clear to see that the children will always come first.
Jill, thank you for your service to Busy Bees for all these years, you are a true asset.
My name is Jill Hamer, I am a Centre Director at Busy Bees Coventry Allesley Green and I have worked here for 31 years.
One of my most memorable moments is the time that my Assistant Centre Director and I took to the stage at the Busy Bees Annual Awards Conference and helped launch UP – a learning and development app designed by Busy Bees for Busy Bees. It was nerve-racking but we were extremely proud to be given the opportunity to talk about the impact of such a great tool amongst our colleagues and peers.
My proudest moments I can recall was the day we received our first 'Outstanding' outcome, my team and I were elated.
The company has grown hugely since we were acquired, which has meant we have benefited from many global influences. The thing that has definitely remained are the core values and ethos.
I started at the Centre, as it was being built , and was appointed Room Manager for the pre-school room, I watched the nursery being built brick by brick, day by day, even being asked where I thought certain aspects of my particular room should be placed, I became Deputy Centre Director shortly after and began my Centre Director role in 2002.
The fact that every day is different. Being in the privileged position to positively impact young lives, as well as working with like-minded professionals are major factors in why I have remained at Busy Bees.
The children inspire me daily, they are wonderful, individuals, full of character, and help to create such a diverse environment for us to work in.
The most important lesson I have learnt from?our children is to be reactive, to ensure we embrace their individual interests and incorporate every child within our environment.?
The advice I would give to someone just starting their career is to engage with the children, create strong relationships with their parents and carers, work closely and communicate with your colleagues, and utilise all of the tools Busy Bees have in place to support you to achieve greatness.
There are many proud moments for me over so many years, but honestly, seeing the first children I cared for bringing their own children back to the same setting, is incredible. Discovering what the parents?have achieved since leaving the nursery has been wonderful, and seeing their children and the resemblance they have with their parents is truly?heartwarming.
I remember feeling anxious when the nursery was initially acquired by Busy Bees, it seemed to be such a big group and I felt worried that the values and ethos that I had for the place I loved would be cast aside. I was quickly reassured by hearing Marg's story and what the company believed in, and that the children would be given the opportunity to gain the Best Start In Life.
The legacy I would hope to leave behind is that I feel privileged to care for all the children in our Centre, and hope that we make a difference to their?lives both short and long term, giving them the chance to reach their full potential.
If you’re interested in a career with Busy Bees please visit Working at Busy Bees - Careers in Childcare
To find out more about our apprenticeship programmes, please visit Childcare Apprenticeships