Rageena Tahir, director of early years at Fennies, explains the thinking behind the nursery group’s new Inspire Leadership Training Programme for nursery managers

In early years education, professional development is often centred on educators, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to support children’s learning. However, the role of the nursery manager is just as important. Strong, confident leadership creates a ripple effect, as well-supported managers who lead well-equipped teams have a direct influence on the quality of early education.

At Fennies, we recognise that leadership is not static; it requires continuous development, reflection and growth. That’s why we have introduced a bespoke Inspire Leadership Training Programme designed specifically for our nursery managers. This initiative supports them in refining their skills, deepening their knowledge and ultimately becoming even more effective leaders.

Management modules

Our training programme is made up of 16 carefully-designed modules, each addressing essential aspects of leadership and management. Topics range from health and safety leadership to time management and leadership styles. Recognising that nursery managers are not just leaders but are also role models and mentors, we have also incorporated a Train the Trainer module, ensuring they have the skills to confidently share their knowledge and support their teams.

Alongside these structured modules, we also provide CPD events, sector seminars and external speaker sessions, allowing us to expose our managers to specialist insights and industry-best practice. This multi-faceted approach ensures they stay informed and are ready to lead with confidence.

Why did we decide to launch this?

Nursery managers are expected to guide their teams in best practice, across all areas of nursery life. However, opportunities for managers to revisit and deepen their own knowledge can be limited. Investing in their CPD ensures they remain up to date with the latest research, allowing them to confidently lead their teams in delivering high-quality early years education.

Moreover, leadership isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about the ability to motivate, mentor and develop others. While some managers naturally excel in this area, others may need support in refining these skills. That’s why our training includes modules that focus on coaching, communication and team development. This helps managers become more effective within their leadership roles.

Continual learning

A key consideration was embedding the learning for lasting impact. CPD shouldn’t be a one-off event, it needs to be an ongoing process. Just because something has been taught once doesn’t mean it has been fully mastered. By revisiting key concepts and sharing insights with peers, managers develop confidence, competence and consistency in their leadership.

At Fennies, we ensure that the learning from our training programme doesn’t stop at the end of a session. Each nursery manager is encouraged to integrate their training into their nursery development plans, turning knowledge into action. Our education team follows up during site visits, offering support to help monitor the real-world impact of the training. We are already seeing enthusiasm, engagement and motivation from our managers. They are applying their learning, sharing insights with their teams and demonstrating increased confidence in their leadership abilities.

At the end of the nine month programme, managers present their learning journey to their peers, showcasing not only what they have learned but also how they have applied this knowledge to enhance their settings. This reflective process strengthens their confidence and reinforces the importance of continuous professional growth.

Providing all our managers with equal access to high-quality training is part of our commitment to their development. Skilled managers lead skilled teams, and skilled teams create exceptional learning environments for children. By supplementing their individual development journeys with standardised leadership training across our nurseries, we ensure that high standards are embedded across all of our settings.

Our Inspire Leadership Training Programme is just one example of how ongoing CPD can empower leaders and elevate the quality of early years education. By recognising the importance of continuous learning, reflective practice and leadership development, we are not only investing in our managers, we are investing in the future of early years education