In our series showcasing the sector’s incredible nursery managers, we find out more about Emma Carter, manager of Kindred Girton Day Nursery and Pre-School.

Why did you want to work in early years?

From the moment I stepped into a Reception class for work experience, I knew that I wanted to support every child to develop a lifelong love for learning. I also realised that early years was an opportunity to develop my own communication skills, build my own confidence and increase my ability to work in a team.

What was your route to becoming a manager?

After gaining my Level 3 childcare qualification at college I went on to study primary education at university –  but I discovered that I really missed early years. I was offered a job in a nursery the day after I left university.  I moved up to being a room leader, which was a great step into understanding the skills needed to be able to manage a team, and was able to step up as acting manager while my manager was on maternity leave. I gained a Level 4 Advanced Practitioner qualification,  and completed a leadership degree called Leaders of the Future.

I applied for a role at Kindred after researching the company and realising that their ethos and their values were exactly what I believed in as a practitioner and a manager.

During my time in the sector I had a little girl, and took some time off. I think the sector is so supportive of working mums, it’s never stopped me from being offered opportunities.

What are you most proud of achieving as a manager?

I’m most proud of overcoming feelings of anxiety on my first day as a manager, walking into a group of people I didn’t know and quickly building excellent working relationships. I’m a strong believer that a manager is only as strong as the team that they’re leading.

What do you like about your setting?

We have implemented a garden area which gives children as young as 16 months the opportunity to plant their own seeds and create environments for wildlife to visit. I also think our incredible staff makes us really unique, they’re the heart of the family.

What is the best training you have been on?

I took part in a positive leadership workshop, delivered by Linda Baston-Pitt of PurpleBee Learning. It opened my mind to what qualities a good leader should possess and inspired me to try new ideas and become more aware of who I am as a manager and a leader. We were able to share ideas such as taking a strengths-based approach to supervising staff –  I took away some cards that I am going to use in supervisions. Staff pick out the strengths they feel they bring to the nursery and we pick some as well, which I feel really builds them up and supports their wellbeing.

What is the most challenging part of being a nursery manager?

When I first started, I found the most challenging part was the unpredictability – one minute we’re dealing with ratios and staff shortages and the next minute, we might be dealing with a child who’s poorly. I learned that you need to be adaptable. At the start of each morning, I give myself a moment to reflect on the upcoming day and focus on what I want. And at the end of the day, I try to find five minutes to appreciate the hard work we have done, and take time to reflect on what we achieved together.

Now I’ve been in the position for around a year. I would say that the most challenging part is recruitment. As a sector we have to adapt to the fact that we’re getting more people come in without qualifications, and we have got to decide what we can do to ensure that they still progress with us and the children still receive the high quality care that they deserve.

If you could invite three people to dinner who would they be, and why?

Robin Williams – he was not afraid to speak his mind or even shock people, and I’d be intrigued to hear some of his inspirational stories. He was in a lot of my childhood favourite films. Anne-Marie, because she is my favourite singer, and I share her passion for being unafraid to share the good, the bad and the ugly. She has actively encouraged so many people to be open with themselves. My last one would be Kevin Hart, because he would just keep us laughing.

What do you do to support your own wellbeing?

If I feel overwhelmed, I find that a change of scene can sometimes help to disconnect and then refocus, so if I am dealing with something in the office, perhaps going for a little wander in the nursery. I enjoy reading, I find that gives me time in the evenings to just switch off.  It is also important to have a chance to talk and reflect on the day. Talking is a really good therapy, keeping it all in, I have learned, is not the way forward.

What advice would you give your younger self?

The early years sector is demanding, but rewarding. Never give up, be open to learning new things  and for your career to take different directions at different times. Never be afraid to shine and show your personality.

What is the one thing you would change about the early years sector? 

There should be more acknowledgement of the importance of early years practitioners. If there was more talk about us, that might have a positive effect on recruitment.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

I would have to take my family. I would struggle to be without them. Food, because anyone that knows me knows that I like a snack. And then I decided on Mary Poppins’ handbag, it would fit anything I wanted inside.