A bit about me
I’ve always been passionate about education, but my journey into nursery business support started when I stepped away from the school system and opened my own day nursery in 2013.
I started with a £10,000 loan, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and a very big learning curve!
By 2017, the nursery had reached capacity, achieved an Outstanding Ofsted judgement, and I was able to buy the building and double the size of the business. I expanded again in 2022 and, alongside my own nursery, took on an existing nursery in another city and turned the business around.
I recently sold both nurseries, but by then I had discovered just how much I loved helping other nursery owners understand the business behind their nursery.
Because I know what it’s like to be responsible for the children, the families, the staff AND the numbers.
Rewind a bit, and before becoming a nursery owner, I was a primary school teacher and senior leader, and later Acting Head. I also lectured at Durham and Newcastle Universities. I hold three Education degrees from Durham University, including a Doctorate in Music Education.
That combination of educational experience, first-hand nursery ownership and business knowledge is what I now bring to my work with independent nursery owners.
I work alongside nursery owners and managers through consultancy, coaching, training and business analysis, helping them make sense of the numbers, work through difficult decisions and build efficient, sustainable nursery businesses.
And yes, I’m still a music specialist too! Early Years Music Training remains one of the services I offer to nurseries and early years practitioners.
But these days, my biggest passion is helping nursery owners move beyond simply surviving the day-to-day and start building a nursery business that really works for them.
Working with you
Most of my work is done remotely, through online meetings, which means I can support nursery owners wherever they are.
But sometimes it helps to be there in person. Depending on where you’re based, I can also come into your nursery for an on-site consultancy day, training or to work with your management team.
Whether we work online or face-to-face, I want to understand your nursery, your challenges and what you’re trying to achieve.
I bring together my experience of education, early years, people management and running nursery businesses, so I can look at the bigger picture — not just one number or one problem in isolation.
You might need ongoing one-to-one support. You might want to work through something with your management team. Or perhaps you have one particular issue you need to talk through.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
I offer a range of support, from 1:1 consultancy and coaching to Business Audits, Power Hours, training and longer-term support through 1:1 coaching or Thrive, and I can help you work out what’s right for you and your nursery.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
You know your nursery. I know nursery businesses. Let’s work it out together.
Dependent on the area of support, and the level needed, I can tailor an individual support package to what is right for your staff and setting. See details of my services here or get in touch to arrange a consultation call.
How I can Help You
Your nursery isn’t just a business.
It’s children. Families. Staff. Relationships. Passion. And a whole lot of responsibility.
I understand that because I’ve been there.
I’m not a business consultant who just gives you a spreadsheet and applies an off-the-shelf formula. I’ve walked the walk. I’ve run my own nursery, grown it, made difficult decisions, managed people, dealt with the numbers and experienced the highs and lows that come with running an early years business.
And I’m an educator too.
That means when we look at the business side of your nursery, I never lose sight of the people at the heart of it, or the fact that no two nurseries are the same.
Maybe you’re…
- Thinking about setting up a nursery or taking on another setting, and need someone to help you work out whether it’s viable.
- Working harder than ever but wondering where the money is going.
- Not sure whether your fees, funding or staffing model are actually working for you.
- Struggling with occupancy and wondering what you could do differently.
- A new manager who understands the EYFS but wants support with the business and financial side of the role.
- Thinking about growing or changing your nursery, but not sure where to start.
- Facing a big business decision and wishing you had someone to talk it through with.
- Or perhaps you simply know that something isn’t quite working, but you don’t know what.
Sometimes you know exactly what you need help with. Sometimes you just need someone to sit alongside you and help you work it out.
That’s where I come in.
I take the time to understand your nursery, your numbers, your challenges and what you want to achieve, then work alongside you to help you make sense of it and decide what to do next.
Whether you need a Mentor, Teacher, Advisor, Coach, Trainer, Consultant or simply a Sounding Board, my approach is always personal and practical.
No off-the-shelf formulas. No judgement. No trying to make your nursery fit someone else’s model.
Just support from someone who understands nursery businesses.
You know your nursery. I know nursery businesses. Let’s work it out together.
Thrive Membership Programme
You don’t need another course. You need someone alongside you.
Thrive is an 8-month programme for nursery owners who are ready to stop firefighting and start working on their nursery business.
With me alongside you, you’ll have the space, support and accountability to understand what’s really going on in your business, make confident decisions and move your nursery forward — alongside a small group of other nursery owners who understand exactly what it’s like to run a nursery.
Ready to find out more?
“I don’t feel like I’m drowning now. I feel so much more empowered this year thanks to Jane and the amazing Thrive group that I am in” Nursery owner, West Yorkshire