Michelle has been a valued member of the Bristol Standard family for many years, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience of early years practice. Michelle trained as a nursery nurse and then went on to study for a degree in early years as well as teacher training. For the past 19 years, Michelle has worked for BAND (Bristol Association for Neighbourhood Daycare Ltd) as a Childcare Development and Support Worker, supporting a variety of early years and out of school providers around safeguarding and welfare and business development and sustainability. Michelle also delivers a various safeguarding training courses.

The role of Bristol Standard mentor for play settings came at a stage in Michelle’s career when she was looking for something new and she thought this would complement her role with BAND well ‘I was at the point where I felt ready to take on something different, a new challenge and thought I’d go for it’. It is obvious that Michelle finds the experience of supporting and guiding settings a positive one ‘I really enjoy it. It’s wonderful to support settings to reflect on where they are and really help them see not only how they can improve and move forward but also what they do really well. Sometimes our strengths can get a little bit forgotten and the Bristol Standard brings these to the forefront of people’s practice. This in itself is incredibly positive, encouraging and empowering.’

Michelle ‘s aim is for as many out of school and play settings as possible come on board and join the Bristol Standard journey. ‘Settings need to ensure that children are at the heart of everything they do and that they are always providing their best for children. There will always be different children and different circumstances and to ensure that you are always providing your best, you have to reflect on what you are doing. This is easier if you have a tool to work with and the Bristol Standard gives you that support and framework for doing it. It’s so comprehensive; you’re not going to miss anything.’

Michelle provides 1-1 mentor support, tailored to the needs of each individual setting, and also runs termly group support meetings. Each meeting focusses on a different aspect of the Bristol Standard and everyone discusses one of the dimensions in depth. The aim is that everyone leaves with some ideas that they can use for their own submission. The meetings are also a great way for settings to meet and support each other and some really close friendships have come from this.

The theme of support and friendship is one that runs throughout the Bristol Standard and Michelle has found her involvement in it to be such a positive experience ‘I love getting together with the other mentors and I find it so uplifting and so positive. I love this aspect of it and feel like I’ve made some really good friends. They are just the most wonderfully supportive group of people you could ever wish to meet. It makes for such a fantastic working environment. I love it.’
Outside of the Bristol Standard, Michelle has 2 teenage children who keep her extremely busy. She loves to go on adventures with them and visit different places. She likes to go walking and spend time in the great outdoors and she’s now started body boarding. When time allows, she also volunteers at a local charity shop, where she loves to bag a bargain.