From the courts of international netball to the pastoral tranquillity of a farm, Alice Bennett MBE has journeyed through a life rich with diverse experiences.
As the Founder and Centre Leader of Madresfield and Worcester Early Years Centres, Alice’s passion for the well-being of children shines through immediately. “I worked in secondary schools and loved it,” she recalls, reflecting on her time as a specialist PE teacher. Her athletic prowess is not just limited to her role as an educator; she was an international netball player for England for eight years.
Alice’s feats extend beyond the netball court, having conquered the London Marathon, scaled mountains, and embarked on extensive bike rides from Land’s End to John O’Groats. However, it was the birth of her four children and marriage to a Dairy Farmer that unveiled a new chapter in her life. “Bringing up my four children on a farm with all the space, all the animals, all the freedoms,” she shares, “I realised that this was a privilege that I could share with other families.”
With a vision to extend this privilege, Alice, while embracing her role as a stay-at-home mum, conceived the idea of creating an early years centre. This centre would offer children the same advantages she cherished during her children’s upbringing, and a second degree in early years education from Worcester University further solidified her resolve to make a difference to the lives of young children, especially those with special needs and disabilities.
Alice’s ambition materialised as she transformed redundant farm buildings into vibrant school rooms, overcoming the challenges of being a tenant farmer’s wife. Her perseverance paid off, and the centre opened its doors to 24 children, growing year by year to accommodate 188.
The Spirit of Madresfield and Worcester Early Years Centres
Under her tenure, Alice has created more than just nurseries; she has established communities where children and staff alike are encouraged to “spread their wings and fly high.” The centres’ approach to education is holistic. “We’ve got nutrition, we’ve got early years education at an affordable price, but physical education is also key here,” Alice explains. The nurseries are equipped with gymnasiums where children engage in activities that foster not only their physical abilities but also their sense of self. “For autistic and deaf and disabled children, this is really important,” Alice notes.
Alice’s leadership extends to her staff, a dedicated team of around 120, primarily women, who share their passions with the children. Whether it’s needlework, embroidery, or gardening, each staff member contributes their unique skills to enrich the children’s learning. As a result of their work, the centres have achieved seven successive Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ grades.
Safety is paramount, and the staff are all trained in first aid to manage the increased risks associated with the centres’ farm-based activities. Alice herself drives a tractor named Trixie, taking children on educational tours around the farm and village. These experiences are not only educational but also imbued with a sense of fun and discovery.
At the core of the centres’ success is the recognition of individual strengths. “Every child, every member of staff, and every parent is good at something,” Alice asserts. It’s this focus on individual talents that has led to remarkable achievements, such as the story of an autistic boy who, having attended Alice’s centre as a child, went on to earn a PhD.
Madresfield and Worcester Early Years Centres operate with extended hours to accommodate parents’ schedules, offering flexible booking options and ensuring continuity of care. The staff work varied shifts, but the goal remains constant: to provide a stable and loving environment where children can thrive.
Alice has also begun to delegate responsibilities, encouraging her staff to develop by taking on roles such as payroll, which she managed single-handedly for decades. This transition is not just about efficiency but also about nurturing the next generation of leaders within her centres. “They are who I am. They are my legacy,” she states with pride.
Despite the accolades, including an MBE for her contributions to early years education, Alice faces challenges that test her resolve. What’s more, her approach to learning extends beyond the classroom walls. Her innovative Farmer Bennett stories, based on true events, resonate with the children and are set to be published, much to the delight of her staff.
However, the industry faces external pressures. Alice is critical of the government’s inability to meet the demand for nursery places and the encroachment of profit-driven entities into the sector. She questions the prioritisation of economic gains over the welfare of children and laments the rise of corporate childcare entities driven by profit. “When are we going to have that debate about what is best for our younger children?” she challenges, calling for a reevaluation of our societal values.
Financial constraints pose another significant challenge. The burden of VAT on expansion plans and essential resources is a hurdle, and Alice argues for a reevaluation of the industry’s financial model to ensure fair compensation for early years professionals.
A Legacy of Love and Learning
As the heart and soul behind the Early Years Centres, Alice has dedicated her life to the well-being and education of children. “It’s a big risk,” Alice admits, speaking of the financial gambles she’s taken, including cashing in her pension not once, but twice, to support the centres. “But I’m still prepared to do it again,” she asserts.
The vision she has extends beyond the classroom walls, and her efforts foster an environment where children learn to respect nature and their community. The legacy Alice seeks to leave is one of love, learning, and demonstrating the power of rural upbringing and the profound impact it can have on a child’s development. As she reflects on her unexpected journey from international netballer to nursery leader, it’s clear that Alice Bennett’s life has been a remarkable adventure, one that has changed countless lives for the better.
In the end, Alice’s story is not just about the challenges of rural education or the trials of running a tenant farm. It’s about the joy of making a difference, the importance of community, and the enduring belief that every child deserves a childhood filled with wonder, respect, and the freedom to explore the natural world.
