KERRY CLOUT: A QUIET ACHIEVER WITH A POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Kerry Clout, who takes the Nabiac playgroup each Monday morning is certainly one of Nabiac’s quiet achievers.
Kerry has been running the playgroup for the past six years, a job she “just got roped into” due to her experience and skills…. and Kerry doesn’t mind one bit because it’s a job she says she loves doing. Kerry came to the tight knit community of Nabiac 11 years ago from the Central Coast where she had been running a family day care business and had also gained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Originally a Nabiac playgroup had started at the preschool as a means to introduce children and their families to the preschool and then later moved to the Kids Shack being run by the same committee. It was in need of a new set of hands to take it on and Kerry at the time was looking after Nabiac clients for her family day care business so she was tapped on the shoulder as an obvious choice.
Kerry loves the work she does at the playgroup and really enjoys the interaction with kids and their families. “It’s really rewarding being able to help the children develop their conversation skills and work with parents by giving them direction and advice when they need it. The best reward for me is seeing a child build their conversation skills and interactions with other children and adults which is so crucial for their learning and development.”
Kerry says the value of reading to children to build that excitement and interest in books cannot be overstated. “Even just talking with children about the pictures in the book and showing them how to turn the page is so important. You really can see the difference in children who have that regular experience.”
And, another great reward for the work Kerry does is seeing the children outside of the playgroup. “To see their face light up when I see them out and about in Nabiac is wonderful because you know that you’ve had a positive impact and they associate me with fun and learning.”
It’s this sense of community that has kept Kerry in Nabiac and the doors of the Playgroup open each Monday morning. “Our numbers have remained steady over the years because as one child moves onto the next stage of their learning through school, another child comes along.
“It’s wonderful to see them grow up in our community. There’s no pressure to come every single week but families just know that it’s a great place for them and their children to come and build friendships.”
Kerry, who is also a regular at the aqua aerobic classes at the Nabiac pool, says she loves that people who live in Nabiac and actively participate in the community come from all walks of life.
“The sense of community in Nabiac is amazing….. from putting out an annual calendar for our aqua group representing all shapes, ages and sizes to the wonderful ongoing spirit of giving to the Op Shop which drives so many important local projects and puts money into our area…. we really are a town with a strong sense of community.”
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝑲𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚-𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 (𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝟭𝟬.𝟯𝟬𝗮𝗺-𝟭𝟮 𝗻𝗼𝗼𝗻. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝟬𝟰𝟭𝟭 𝟮𝟳𝟮 𝟮𝟯𝟴.