Meet Jess, Our Wonderful New Nursery Manager at The Mount!

At The Mount, we have invested enormously in creating a truly extraordinary nursery, with beautiful spaces, incredible facilities and unforgettable experiences for our children. But we also know that what makes a nursery truly special is the people who bring it all to life.

Our ambition has always been to make childhood unforgettable, and we're determined to keep raising the bar in everything we do. That's why finding the right person to lead our nursery was so important to us.

And in Jess, we believe we've found someone very special!

Although she's only been with us for a few weeks, Jess has already made an incredible impression. She's settled in wonderfully, brought fresh ideas and enthusiasm, and made a real difference in so many areas of nursery life already. It's been fantastic to see the immediate positive impact she's having on our children, staff and families.

We're incredibly excited about what lies ahead as Jess helps us take The Mount Nursery to the next level.

But rather than us telling you all about her, we thought we'd let Jess introduce herself!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey into early years education.

I always knew I wanted to do something in my career that had a meaningful impact on children. My initial career journey was to be an entertainer at Disney World. And yes, I know that sounds like every little girl's dream, to grow up and be a Disney princess, but I knew it was so much more. I studied Psychology, Sociology, Dance, and Theatre Studies in college to ensure I was equipped with all the skills needed to not only be an entertainer but to understand why these interactions and experiences had such a meaningful impact on children.

I began an apprenticeship in a private nursery straight from college to gain more understanding from the childcare provider side of the role and never ended up leaving the industry! I have worked up from apprentice to early years educator, to room leader, to deputy manager, to manager! I have been in a management role for nearly 4 years now, and I'm always striving to develop my own skills. I also have 2 amazing little boys who have been on this journey with me, one in nursery and one in school, and one thing I wanted was to ensure they both had somewhere to go that I was proud to send them to, and I can honestly say that I have found the setting to do that.

2. What do you love most about working with nursery-age children?

There are so many aspects of my role that are rewarding. I absolutely love planning and delivering amazing experiences for children, staff, and parents and creating a real community. I had my first little boy during COVID, and it was really hard to have limited connections with other local parents, and this really made me realise how important early interactions are not just for our little ones but for our parents and families too.

Another thing I love about my role is seeing all those little milestones. From crawling to walking to running into school, being a part of a child's life for almost 5 years is something truly special.

3. What were your first impressions when you visited The Mount?

I think there's only one word to sum up first impressions of The Mount - WOW. The buildings, the grounds, the outdoor areas, the Nautilus, the Coffee Van, the magical music as you walk around the grounds - everything had been thought of! It really does take you back to your childhood and that this is somewhere where they really do have the facilities to create amazing, meaningful early experiences.

And that's just the start; the way to nursery has been set up and run is completely different too! Families and the children in our care truly are at the heart of every decision.

4. Now that you have been here for a few weeks, what have you noticed that makes The Mount Nursery different?

The whole feel of the nursery and school is like nothing I've ever been a part of before. The staff are so welcoming and understanding; nothing is too much trouble, and this makes a huge impact when you start somewhere new.

In addition to this, the spaces created for our children go above and beyond anything I have experienced! Each room has been thought about in so much detail as has the outdoor spaces, this makes such a difference to an early years setting. You have to see it to believe it.

5. What do you think children need most from a really great nursery?

I believe the bottom line of what children really need from a great nursery are secure attachments, enabling environments and meaningful interactions with outstanding practitioners. Early attachments are key to a child's learning abilities, and when looking for a nursery place, one thing that should always stand out is the interactions between the staff and children.

6. What would you like every parent to feel when they leave their child with us in the morning?

I would like every parent to drop their child with us knowing that they are going to receive the absolute best care, attention and understanding from our practitioners. I know myself how hard it is leaving your child in the care of someone new, and one thing I would like our parents to know is that my door is always open. You are a part of this journey with us.

7. As you settle into the role, what are you most excited about developing at The Mount Nursery?

I'm especially excited to start planning some trips, experiences and events for our children. We have already started asking parents/local businesses how we can work in partnership with them to provide activities and experiences that are above and beyond what is 'expected'.

I'm also very excited to build on our staff team, not only through new additions, but through strengthening the amazing team we already have to ensure that every member on site has the skills and confidence to learn and progress in their role as they see fit. A nursery doesn't run without a committed team; I'm excited to show some of my commitment back to them.

8. Finally, what would you like to say to our current families, and to any parents considering The Mount Nursery for their child?

I would firstly like to say a huge thank you to all the parents that I've had the chance to speak with for making me feel so welcome. I'm really looking forward to everything to come in the near future where we can really work in partnership.

To any parents considering The Mount, please do come and see it for yourself. I am always happy to arrange a tour and answer any questions you may have, and be a part of the magic we are trying to create.

Come and Say Hello to Jess!

We couldn't be happier with the start Jess has made at The Mount, and we're looking forward to seeing her ideas, experience and enthusiasm help make our nursery even more extraordinary.

To all our existing parents (both the Nursery and the main school), if you haven't already met Jess, please do pop in and introduce yourself. She's looking forward to getting to know every one of you, hearing your thoughts and building the wonderful relationships that make The Mount such a special community.

And if you're considering a nursery for your little one, we'd love you to come and see what makes The Mount different. Get in touch to arrange a personal tour with Jess, explore our beautiful nursery (and main school, if you'd like - a gorgeous former mansion), meet the team, and discover the incredible experiences waiting for your child.

We'd love to welcome you to The Mount!