Staff member Toni East will be celebrating 20 years of work at Newtown Infant School, which educates two to seven year-olds, in Chesham in April.

Ms East has become a much-loved and respected member of the school community, and began her work there as a teaching assistant almost 20 years ago.

Now Ms East specialises in children's health and well-being and pushed forward the 'nurture' programme, and helped the school become the second in the country to be awarded the Nurturing School Award in May of 2017.

This means the school has been recognised for ensuring that children's learning is understood developmentally, the classroom is a safe place, and the importance of transition in children;s lives amongst other principles.

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Speaking to the Bucks Free Press Ms East spoke about her love for the work she does, and why she's stayed at the school for so many years.

She said: "I love the children, the diversity of Newtown, and the families who are so important.

"Newtown allows me to use my skills to support the children and staff, and we're lucky that it's well appreciated."

Ten years ago Julia Antrobus became headteacher and this is when the work of the nurturing programme began, with both Ms Antrobus and Ms East emphasising how they couldn't have done it without one another.

Ms Antrobus spoke of how vital Ms East has been with making the school an environment for mindfulness and protecting children's well-being.

She explained how Ms East has been called a 'child whisperer' by other teachers at the school, with her ability to understand and help the children so much.

Ms East now has a large 'nurture room' to carry out her work after the school had extensive building work done a few years ago, where she aids children's communication skills and focus on their mental health.

She has time with small groups of children, and also works one on one with those who might need extra support.

Another activity Ms East has set-up is 'toast-time', where on a Thursday children get to eat toast and bond with each other, as well as guaranteeing breakfast for the children, a meal which importance has been emphasised in the last few years.

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Ms East added: "I couldn't and I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.

"I've worked alongside Tony Hooper for years with the nurture programme and we never stop laughing together.

"I' so passionate about he children and my work here.

"It's so important to just always be kind to everyone."

This is something the other staff can vouch for, as Ms East is known to leave chocolates in other teachers pigeon holes, hosts a monthly raffle, and she is also head of the council at the school.