Meet The Nursery Manager: Amy From Fennies Maidenhead, College Avenue

We had the chance to speak with Amy, our amazing Nursery Manager at Fennies Maidenhead, College Avenue. With a positive and hands-on approach, Amy enjoys creating engaging environments tailored to the interests of the children. She believes that when children feel safe and secure, their curiosity and creativity comes to life. By placing a big emphasis on strong bonds and meaningful connections, it allows her to ensure each child in her care can feel supported and thrive.

In this blog, Amy shares what makes our Maidenhead nursery stand out from the crowd. From fostering strong parent partnerships to building a positive team atmosphere, everything helps contribute towards delivering enriching experiences for the children and in this blog Amy reflects what helps her achieve this and how she helps shape the future generations.

• Inspiring the Local Community
• Parent Partnerships
• Early Years Curriculum 
• Team Upskilling and Atmosphere
• Childcare Passions
• Upcoming Events

Join Us At Fennies Maidenhead, College Avenue

If you are looking for a new nursery where your child can feel safe and secure while discovering new adventures every day, we would love to welcome you to our nursery in Maidenhead. Our dedicated team along with our bright, engaging environments, helps make learning feel meaningful and purposeful for the children. The families appreciate the fact that the setting puts children at the heart of everything we do, while Early Years professionals value the chance to grow and thrive, learning through high-quality practice. Maidenhead is a setting where children and teams feel encouraged and confident, while parents feel confident that their children are cared for.

What’s A Fun Fact About You?

I have over 20 years’ Early Years experience and grew up locally, giving her the knowledge to support Maidenhead families on this journey. Having such a strong connection to the area helps me understand the community and what families are looking for when choosing the right nursery. It also allows me to build genuine relationships with families who may already feel a sense of familiarity and trust. This local knowledge helps her tailor the nursery experience to reflect the needs of the families it serves.

What Helps You Stay Connected With Your Communities?

Building bonds with parents and the local community to create an engaging, warm environment for children to flourish in. Taking the time to have regular conversations and being present at key moments helps strengthen those relationships over time. It is about creating a space where families feel comfortable, heard and involved in their child’s experience. 

What’s Something You Have Loved About Your Early Years Career So Far?

Supporting various team members through apprenticeships and supporting in creating the highest quality workforce in Early Years. Watching individuals grow in confidence and develop their skills has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing that progression and knowing you have played a part in their journey brings a real sense of pride. It is especially fulfilling to see team members go on to achieve their own career goals.

What’s Your Ambition To Help Improve The Early Years Sector?

Creating a nurturing environment for families, children and team members to thrive within whilst they grow and develop on their journey. Continuing to raise standards and promote the importance of Early Years education is something she feels strongly about. It is about making a lasting difference not just within the nursery, but across the wider sector. 

How Do You Create Parent Partnerships At Fennies Maidenhead, College Avenue?

I feel it is one of the most important parts of the role. Being very visible to families. Having honest feedback and that goes both ways. Asking questions and giving them an understanding of who I am. I’m not just the nursery manager, I'm a parent too and I’ve been in their shoes choosing which nursery I want my children to go to. Building that trust takes time, but being open and approachable helps families feel confident and reassured from the very beginning. Creating those strong foundations early helps relationships continue to grow over time.

What’s One Impact You Like To Make On The Team Atmosphere?

I want the team to be very upbeat and positive as I know how beneficial that can be. Giving them that advice they need. If the team is happy, the children will feed off of that and absorb that energy and so will the families. I want it to be fun and enjoy turning up to work. Creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued helps maintain that positivity every day. Encouraging open communication also helps the team feel confident and supported.

What’s One Way You Help To Upskill Your Team?

We’re all in this process together. Meeting with them regularly and doing observations so they understand Fennies expectations are, but also what my expectations are, so the guidelines are clear for them. Role modelling within the rooms by sharing different ideas with them, sharing the knowledge. Creating activities alongside them, as it’s very beneficial to get observed from one another rather than just myself. Encouraging that shared learning approach helps build confidence and consistency across the whole team. It also creates opportunities for team members to learn from each other’s strengths.

Why Did You Choose To Work In Early Years Education?

All I can ever remember is having that real nurturing side and caring for others. Watching the children thrive but also nurturing my teams as well to grow and being able to make that positive impact. I can’t see myself in any other profession. It’s always been Early Years that has interested me as we get to build such strong foundations in their learning journey. Being part of those early stages is something that continues to motivate and inspire me every day. It gives a real sense of purpose knowing the impact lasts far beyond the nursery years.

What Passions Do You Have Within The Early Years Curriculum?

I am very passionate about helping develop social skills. You can learn so many other skills, but without learning the social side of it, it can be harder to develop in other areas. Both my children are neurodivergent so that has helped me realise how important it can be. It has given me a deeper understanding of how to support children as individuals and create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Supporting children to feel confident in themselves is something I care deeply about.

What Kind Of Leader Are You?

I like to think I’m quite an understanding leader. Trying to always remember the roots, I focus on relating and understanding the realities of each role and what comes with it.. I believe in leading by example and being someone the team can rely on for support and guidance. Creating that trust is key to building a strong and confident team. Being approachable helps encourage honesty and openness within the team.

What Would You Like To Achieve In The Next Six Months?

To embed a strong team around myself. For the team and myself to be settled in our environment, with children the same. Building amazing bonds with the families and children as well as the staff and keeping and maintaining that high level of quality. Establishing a consistent routine and culture will help set the foundation for long term success. It is about creating stability while continuing to grow. Maintaining that momentum will be key to long term success.

What’s Your Favourite Thing About Coming To Work?

The variation of your day-to-day life. You can walk in with a plan for the day and something completely different comes up. Seeing the children grow and seeing their happy smiley faces. Help give them the right start in life, why I get up in the morning and do what I do. Those small moments throughout the day are what make the role so rewarding. Every day brings something new which keeps the role exciting and meaningful.

Do You Have Any Exciting Visits Or Upcoming Partnerships Within The Community Planned?

I’ve lived in the area my whole life so I'm very familiar with the area and what people may need. There are lots of natural areas and parks around so they can explore the world around them in a calmer space. Building bonds with the local police and fire station and we are ideally located to engage with these aspects. These experiences will help children feel more connected to their community and understand the world around them. It also helps bring learning to life in a meaningful and engaging way.

What’s Going To Be The Best Thing About Fennies Maidenhead, College Avenue?

The brightness of all the rooms. There’s a lot of space and natural light that comes into the rooms, the children can explore safely and securely but to their hearts content. We have a cooking studio which I love as it’s a great learning experience for the children and helps build great relationships with food from an early stage. The environment has been thoughtfully designed to support curiosity and independence in a calm and welcoming setting. It creates a space where children feel comfortable, confident and ready to learn.