In our series showcasing the sector’s nursery managers, we find out about Ruby Tilley, nursery manager at Bright Little Stars Stanmore, North London.

What’s most challenging about being a nursery manager?

I currently lead a team of 45, and with ongoing changes within early years and the daily nursery operations, it can be hard to ensure I have time to refresh my knowledge so I can teach and share with my team.

Why did you want to work in early years?

From a very young age, my family always said they could see me working with children. Not to blow my own trumpet, but children warm to me very quickly. I’ve always wanted to be a part of early years children’s development as I feel we are one of the most important people in a child’s life from a young age. I still to this day remember my nursery teacher Miss Flower.

What was your route to becoming a manager?

Over 10 years at BLS I have worked my way up from a newly qualified nursery educator to nursery manager working in four of our six branches and building my knowledge and skills from other managers and senior staff along the way. I was acting manager at our largest site before taking on my permanent manager role at Stanmore. I have been really lucky to experience the range of roles in the nurseries as this enables me to really understand the expectations of each and provide the right support for others.

What’s your most proud achievement as a manager?

I was thrilled with our Outstanding Ofsted report, as the whole team showcased how amazing they are. It felt so surreal coming out on the other side of a global pandemic and being able to achieve this, with childcare being so different at this time. And on top of that, in my first year of managing we have achieved a Nursery of the Year award, the Gold award in the Healthy Early Years London scheme, and we were able to support deprived nurseries in Harrow. Other nurseries could send their staff team here to look around, come for training and we helped enhance other nurseries environments. A couple of years ago I also achieved a Women of Excellence award from being a part of the International Women’s Day Conference.

What is the best thing about the setting you manage?

The outcomes for children and seeing the journey they have from baby room to preschool and leaving to go to school. To see the staff team, grow and build on the children’s wellbeing and development and share this with families to support them in the wider world.

What is the best training you have received?

I would say my mental health first aid training. The world has changed massively over the last few years and with the cost of living crisis, 90% of staff worries and wellbeing is to do with the outside world. This way I am able to provide all-round support for my staff team.

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

Meghan Markle, as she is a woman who empowers others. I feel she would be an interesting person to talk to and discuss the wider world. I would have to invite Tom Jones as I would love to hear more about him. And probably an EastEnders character like Max Branning as I am a huge fan.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Vaseline, my dressing gown and music.

What do you do to look after your own wellbeing?

Enjoy the moment, never take things too seriously and spend time with loved ones. I am so grateful for the people around me, especially at work where we always overcome things together. I also love shopping; this never gets old to me.

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

We need to bring everything back to what we all love and the reason most of us decided on a career working in the early years – how we support the children and ensure they are safe, happy and thriving without the additional pressure which comes with constant changes. I would love for early years practitioners to be recognised for the amazing job we do being children’s first educators and supporting them with life skills.