I caught up with Melissa Prendergast to find out a little more about her and her involvement in Brighter Start over the last three years.
We talked about her work, her ideas, her hopes for the future - and even her favourite spot in East London.
First things first, Melissa, what’s one thing you’d like our readers to know about you?
I experienced the transformational power of high-quality early education with my eldest child. That experience is why I gave up pursuing my career in ecology and moved into early years education. I was hooked!
The intensive, individualised support my son received to develop his communication and language meant he could succeed in ways that many had predicted were impossible. My now-adult son’s vocabulary outshines mine on daily basis, and I delight in every wonderful word!
Now for a slightly trickier question – can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
I was brought up in Tottenham, North London, a far cry from the castle in the west of Ireland where my mum’s family originated. Our family was one of the Tribes of Galway.
My grandmother, Frieda, fell in love with Hans, a chemist from Hungary who had fled the war in search of safety in neutral Ireland. Frieda’s family opposed the relationship because of their different faiths. They were ultimately disowned and left for London with little more than each other.
Can you say a bit about what brought you to Brighter Start in 2022?
I had always followed Julian’s work and was inspired by the evidence-informed, equity-driven work he and the team at Sheringham delivered. So, when the opportunity came up to work at the Nursery School in 2018, I jumped at the chance. I began working with East London Research School soon after and supported Julian with the bid to be a Stronger Practice Hub in November 2022.
I led the hub at various points during the following years and am thrilled to hand it back to Julian to continue that drive to ensure all children have access to evidence-informed, equitable early years education.
In a nutshell, could you tell us what your role involves?
I’m Deputy Headteacher at Sheringham Nursery School, with strategic leadership of the Stronger Practice Hub and East London Research School. A big part of my role is bringing these three strands of work together - practice, research and professional development - so that each strengthens the other.
I also work with the EEF and the University of Oxford to build the evidence base and help us really understand what works in early years education.
Which aspect of your work are you most proud of so far?
I am very proud of my contribution to the ShREC Approach. I have particularly enjoyed taking the approach from an idea into something that educators and parents can use – refining it, developing resources and professional development programmes for educators, and creating, with Peeple, a programme that enables parents to use it at home. It has been hugely exciting and rewarding.
And, looking forward, is there something that you are most excited about for the next phase of the SPH work?
I am so excited by our new expanded SPH team! To go from the original ‘Three Musketeers’, myself, Meher and Rizwana, to a team of eleven is an amazing position to be in. Growing from three to eleven means we can reach more educators, bring a much wider range of expertise to our work and, ultimately, make a greater difference to children across our region.
What’s the one difference you hope to make through your work?
I think early years educators are the most important people in our workforce. The work they do with children is transformative – for children, families and society as a whole. I hope, through the Hub’s professional development, coaching and bespoke support, we can help educators feel valued and cared for.
I want us to give early years educators in North East London the recognition, support and confidence they deserve - helping to raise the profile and status of the profession as a whole.
If I caught up with you in a year’s time, what would you hope to be telling me about?
The connections we have made and the impact we have had. There is so much exciting work going on across London to support children in the first five years of life. I’d love us to bring that work together, connect our efforts and make sure that all children, regardless of their background or developmental needs, can thrive. That would be an amazing story to tell!
And finally, what’s your favourite spot in East London?
Epping Forest. I have been visiting since I was a child. It’s a magnificent and ancient forest right here in London. It has two Iron Age forts and is home to two species of snake (only one is venomous).
Every Christmas my whole family (with children young and old) go on the Epping and Ongar Railway, catching the vintage bus from Epping Station to meet Santa. A steam train ride is a special way to experience the forest.