Early Years på International School of Helsingborg, skol- och fritidsförvaltningen
Early Years på International School of Helsingborg är nominerade till utmärkelsen årets arbetsplats brons.
Early Years är en föreskoleverksamhet för barn i åldrarna 3 till 5 år.
Juryns motivering:
Early Years är en arbetsplats som präglas av värme, omtanke och ett uthålligt engagemang. Teamet är multikompetent, lyhört och prestigelöst, och deras styrka ligger i att se olikheter som tillgångar. Med strukturer som främjar balans mellan arbete och privatliv och en kultur som präglas av trygghet och inkludering skapar de en miljö där både barn och kollegor kan växa. Early Years prisas för sitt innovativa och konsekventa arbetssätt, sin professionalism och förmågan att omsätta idéer till insatser som gör verklig skillnad.
Nomineringstext
Så här säger personerna som nominerat Early Years på International School of Helsingborg till årets arbetsplats:
Beskriv hur ni är delaktiga och har ett bra samspel på arbetsplatsen
Person 1: “In our Early Years (EY) campus, employees collaborate through a shared commitment to the values of Share, Inspire, and Grow. We engage in collaborative planning and reflective dialogue, guided by the principles of Challenge and Inspire, to support well-being. Our interactions are grounded in mutual respect, open communication, and collective responsibility, fostering a positive and inclusive professional culture. Everyone contributes and supports one another, creating a workplace where teamwork, learner agency, and professional growth are actively promoted, reflecting the International Baccalaureate (IB) ethos of building a caring and connected learning community.”
Person 2: “Our workplace stands out for its strong sense of teamwork and genuine collaboration. Every member feels valued, listened to, and encouraged to contribute ideas, which creates an environment where creativity and efficiency thrive. We support each other both professionally and personally, celebrating successes together and finding solutions collectively when challenges arise. Open communication, mutual respect, and a shared purpose make our daily work not only productive but also enjoyable. This positive atmosphere motivates us to grow, innovate, and continuously improve, making our workplace a truly inspiring and deserving candidate for Årets arbetsplats.”
Beskriv hur ni tar ansvar för er hälsa, livsstil och sätter gränser i vardagen
Person 1: “At our EY campus, well-being isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle. We take health seriously, but with a good dose of laughter. Our massage chair has its own fan club, and yes, we’ve dedicated a room to it (because self-care deserves space!). Breaks are sacred: whether it’s lounging on the couch, swapping weekend plans, or passionately debating the best place for a massage or fika using our yearly health allowance. We celebrate diversity, share emotions, and occasionally step into each other’s shoes figuratively, of course. With well-being boards, birthday shoutouts, and inspirational quotes, we inspire action by modeling it together. We manage our tasks mindfully, and if someone needs extra time, our manager steps in with support and a plan, because collaboration is key. Together, we create a sense of belonging for students, teachers, and parents.”
Person 2: “We prioritize our health and wellbeing by maintaining a balanced lifestyle and supporting each other in setting healthy boundaries. Regular breaks, outdoor activities, and movement throughout the day are encouraged to keep both body and mind energized. We respect each other’s personal time and make sure workloads are manageable, allowing everyone to rest and recharge after work. Open discussions about stress, work-life balance, and mental health are part of our culture. By fostering this supportive environment, we ensure that everyone feels valued, balanced, and able to perform at their best while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.”
Beskriv hur ni utvecklar er verksamhet, era kompetenser och provar nya arbetssätt
Person 1: “At our EY campus, professional growth is a shared journey. We embrace the values of Share, Inspire, Grow and recognize that our diverse personalities and skill sets are our greatest strength. We actively learn from one another; some bring expertise in creativity, others in concept-based teaching or technology, and we collaborate to deliver high-quality learning experiences. Training is ongoing and responsive to emerging needs, such as AI, and doesn’t end on study days. We are encouraged to attend workshops regularly, and educational resources are shared via the staff bulletin and Teams. Reflections are regular, and new ideas are welcomed through collaborative dialogue. We have both structure and flexibility, allowing us to seek support, share specializations, and resolve challenges together. We offer parenting workshops at our campus, such as Circle of Security Parenting in collaboration with Familjehuset, and Positive Parenting workshops to build positive relationships in our learning community by equipping parents with the tools they need.”
Person 2: “We are committed to continuous growth by actively developing our skills and embracing new ways of working. Through regular training, workshops, and knowledge sharing, we strengthen our competence and stay updated with best practices. We encourage creativity and innovation, often testing new methods and reflecting on their outcomes together. Feedback is valued and used as a tool for improvement, helping us adapt and refine our work. By fostering a culture of curiosity and openness, we ensure that our workplace evolves dynamically, meets challenges with confidence, and provides the best possible results for both colleagues and the organization.”
Beskriv hur ni respekterar och tar tillvara varandras olikheter
Person 1: “Diversity is celebrated at our campus, it’s something you can truly feel. There is a strong sense of belonging, and everyone is seen as a learner with a growth mindset. We embrace each other’s differences, whether it’s someone who thrives using a notebook, planner, and pen, or someone who prefers working digitally on a laptop. We identify, recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate these differences. In doing so, we often discover similarities too, which creates meaningful connections. Cultural differences are embraced with curiosity and respect. We share traditions, stories, and perspectives that enrich our understanding of one another. For example, during planning and collaboration, each person contributes based on their interests and strengths, whether it’s creativity, concept-based teaching, or digital tools. If someone needs support, they reach out to a colleague with that specialization, and the team responds with openness and encouragement. This culture of mutual respect and shared learning strengthens our relationships and helps us grow together. We model this in our actions and in our teaching pedagogy. Celebrations at our campus reflect our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and shared learning.”
Person 2: “We deeply value diversity and see our differences as one of our greatest strengths. Each person’s background, perspective, and experience are respected and celebrated. We listen to one another with openness and curiosity, creating a safe space where everyone feels included and heard. By learning from our varied viewpoints, we build stronger relationships and find creative solutions together. We adapt our communication and working styles to support each other’s needs, ensuring fairness and understanding. This culture of respect and inclusion allows us to grow both as individuals and as a team, enriching our workplace every day.”
Beskriv hur ni tar till vara på varandras idéer och visar varandra uppskattning
Person 1: “We collaborate effectively and efficiently, with communication and sharing as key elements. We use platforms like Microsoft Teams — including the staff bulletin and team posts to exchange resources, ideas, and reflections. Trust-based observations allow us to seek and provide feedback, helping us reflect and grow into the best versions of ourselves. For example, in the Move and Learn initiative, teams across EY1 to EY3 work collectively toward shared learning goals. When the EY3 team explored an outdoor activity like Duck Duck Goose Goose, EY2 joined with their students to extend the experience, making it more engaging and fun. This kind of collaboration generates a wealth of strategies and strengthens appreciation for each other’s contributions. We also share learning experiences through WIN messages (weekly video updates accessible to all grade levels), which build a sense of belonging, inspiration, and community. We enjoy our Instagram pages and celebrate our school. This approach reflects the IB learner profile by promoting open-mindedness, collaboration, and reflective practice, and helps us build a culture where ideas are valued and everyone’s contribution is recognized.”
Person 2: “We believe that every idea matters and that appreciation fuels motivation. In our workplace, everyone is encouraged to share thoughts and suggestions openly, knowing their voice will be heard and valued. We often brainstorm together, celebrate creative input, and put good ideas into action. Recognition is part of our daily culture — whether through kind words, shared successes, or small gestures of gratitude. We make an effort to highlight each other’s strengths and contributions, creating a positive atmosphere built on mutual respect and encouragement. This culture of appreciation and openness strengthens our teamwork and inspires continuous improvement.”