Why did you decide to work for Mama Bear’s?
I did work experience there while I was at school. It really confirmed my decision that I wanted to work in childcare; the whole week was so much fun and although I was very young, I saw how well Mama Bear’s was set up and run. As soon as I finished school I went back to do my apprenticeship and knew immediately it was the right decision.
How has your career developed over the 10 years you have worked for the company?
I’ve gone from apprentice to team leader to deputy manager. Three months ago, I was promoted to manager. It’s so rewarding to have finally got here. Being a manager is challenging because you’re the top person, and responsible for everything. But although you’re not based in rooms, you are often the first person to welcome children in, and you can’t beat that. It’s so rewarding when children are looking forward to seeing you and tell you about their weekend, or what they love about nursery.
How would you like to put your own stamp on the nursery?
I’d like to develop a community approach. I’m from the other side of Bristol so I don’t know the area that well, and I would like to seek out the community and infuse it into the nursery, even if it’s just engaging with the shop over the road. Sometimes people have no idea what their local nursery is like and I’d like to give them an idea of what we do and how the children progress. Children are the future, so it’s important we all understand them and that families are part of something together.
