In our series showcasing the sector’s nursery managers, we find out about Catherine Jackson, owner and manager at Wise Owls nursery and out-of-school club in Moffat, Dumfriesshire

What was your route to becoming owner and manager of Wise Owls?

Having been a speech and language therapist (SLT) for over 25 years, particularly training early years practitioners how to support early language, I realised that I saw children too late and having a nursery would mean I would see these children earlier and have more success at early intervention. 

My mum had always worked in nurseries and she was a great role model in how to support children with behavioural issues. She reminded me recently that I said I wanted to set up a nursery for children with speech and language disorders about 20 years ago when I worked in one as the SLT. 

What makes Wise Owls unique? 

We recently won a National Day Nurseries Association award for being a ‘Rights Respecting Nursery’ and we were really proud that our efforts to include children in our decision-making had been recognised. Our focus on outdoor learning and connecting with the community is also what sets us apart from our town’s local authority-run nursery. We are out in all weathers and can always be seen up in the woods, or within our small town, including visits to our local care home. 

What is the best training you’ve ever been on? 

I loved the Anna Ephgrave Planning in the Moment training I attended. The first time I attended as an SLT, I had to reflect on my own practice as we tended to take children away from play to ‘do language work’. Now my focus is much more on enriching the language of the children as they play, following their lead. 

What’s the most challenging part of being a nursery manager? 

The inequality of funding between private, voluntary and independent (PVI) and local authority nurseries in Scotland is a constant challenge for me personally and the wider early years sector. We train our staff up to a high quality and then lose them to local authority nurseries because the wages are so different. The biggest challenge for me is I probably pay myself less than minimum wage, taking into consideration the hours I work, and that I can never switch off, even when I am on annual leave because the buck stops with me, as owner/ manager. 

What are you most proud of achieving? 

Setting up the nursery a year before Covid was challenging, but being able to offer childcare for keyworkers during this time was a massive achievement. We were one of only four nurseries open in our local authority area at the time. I’d like to say that was my biggest achievement, but actually sailing around the world with my husband and two young children for three years topped that. 

Who would you invite to a dinner party and why? 

I’d give anything to have dinner with my dad who died at the age of 56. He’d give me so much advice and be so proud of my achievements. I wouldn’t want to share him with anyone, so I wouldn’t invite anyone else. 

What do you do to look after yourself when things get stressful? 

Having not taken care of myself for years, I have now started to prioritise my mental and physical health by doing things I love. So, I started doing ballet again (a passion from my childhood) I’ve joined a local choir and I have taken up running again. I find gratitude lists are invaluable for putting things in context and I take time out for myself, especially in nature. Of course, it’s easier to do this now both my children have flown the nest. 

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

Fair funding for all. While in Scotland we have not experienced the witch-hunt against PVI nurseries by the current government that England has faced, it’s time that the Scottish government recognised that its pledge of “funding follows the child” is not the reality because in practice local authorities allocate less funding to PVI nurseries than to their inhouse settings. 

What advice would you give your younger self? 

Follow your dreams and travel – and I have. In fact, I’m getting itchy feet again. 

What three things would you take to a desert island? 

My flint and steel, hammock and tarpaulin. If it’s good enough for forest school, it’s good enough for a desert island.