THERE were tears and smiles at a nursery yesterday as a head teacher retired.

On the last day of term children and parents came together to have a picnic and say goodbye to head Helen Day who is retiring after 40 years at Kimberley Nursery School in Newport.

She has been head teacher for 23 years, and was also the head at Don Close Nursery in Bettws until 1994.

“I know I am going to miss it so much,” she said. “It is very mixed emotions about leaving because it is time for me to retire.

“It has been brilliant working with an amazing group of people, the staff are fantastic and the parents and the children are amazing.”

Children brought gifts for staff and gave them hugs when they arrived at the nursery.

Three-year-old Liam Fennell said: "Mrs Day is very kind. While four-year-old Riley Marasco said: "She has a lovely smile."

Four-year-old Brooke Thomas added: "I love it when Mrs Day is looking after us. She is kind."

Mrs Day finished her teacher training in 1978 and started working at New Inn Infants’ School. She then worked at Upper Cwmbran Infants and started working at Kimberley Nursery School in September 1995.

When asked what the highlights of her career are she said there were too many to choose from.

She added: “Winning the Early Years Education Award at the South Wales Argus Schools and Education Awards for the communication class is a highlight. Developing that, expanding the numbers and training up the staff is something we are proud of.

“We also had a Green Flag award and we had a 50 year anniversary celebration, it’s very difficult to pick one thing. I have lots of good memories.

When asked about any advice for future head teachers she said: “Keep the children at the heart of it all and their wellbeing and learning at the centre of it all. The other stuff will look after itself.

"There are a lot of pressures and challenges, but as long as you have that relationship with the children and parents it works.”

Andie O'Brien will be the new executive head who will also be working at Fairoak Nursery in Newport.