Meet The Nursery Manager: Tara From Fennies Windsor, Osborne Road

We spoke with Tara, our Nursery Manager at Fennies Windsor, Osborne Road. Tara leads with a positive, welcoming approach and is passionate about building an atmosphere within the nursery that is reassuring for children and families alike. She places real importance on helping children develop the core foundations they need to help grow and thrive on their educational journey. Tara is committed to forming genuine connections with the children while making sure they feel valued as individuals and supported to progress in a way that suits them.

In this blog, Tara talks about what life will be like at our Windsor nursery and what will make the nursery such a special community to be a part of.  She speaks about the importance of close family relationships and a positive, collaborative team culture. Tara shows how these small but significant moments come together to support and shape every child’s Early Years journey.

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

Join Us At Fennies Windsor, Osborne Road

If you are searching for a nursery where your child can feel secure and inspired to explore each day, we would be delighted to welcome you to our Windsor setting. Our passionate team accompanied by our stimulating and thoughtfully designed environments, help create learning experiences that are both engaging and meaningful for your child. Families value our child-centred approach, with every decision being made with children at the forefront of our minds. At Windsor, children are encouraged to flourish, teams feel empowered within their roles and parents feel reassured that their children are receiving the highest quality care and attention.

What’s A Fun Fact About You?

I have a real interest in medieval history and enjoy visiting local castles and historic sites to learn more about the past. I would also love to bring that curiosity into the nursery by exploring it with the children in simple, hands-on ways that spark their imagination.

What Helps You Stay Connected With Your Communities?

I stay connected with my communities by getting involved in local initiatives that make a tangible difference, such as hosting fundraisers and supporting collections for families in need. I also enjoy working closely with local businesses by helping to promote and support them, which strengthens relationships within the community and helps create a real sense of shared purpose and connection.

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

Seeing children grow into secure, happy, confident young people has been the most rewarding part of my career so far. It is especially meaningful to watch them develop that excitement and readiness for their next steps in learning, knowing you have played a part in building the foundations that support that journey.

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

My ambition is to encourage more consistent outdoor learning across the early years sector, making it a natural part of the daily experience rather than an occasional activity. I want children to have regular opportunities to run, explore, and take safe risks in the fresh air, building confidence and physical skills while developing curiosity about the world around them. Outdoor environments should be seen as equally important to indoor spaces, supporting wellbeing and independence, whilst fostering a love of learning through hands-on experiences.

How Do You Plan To Create Parent Partnerships At Fennies Windsor, Osborne Road?

A key focus is having an open-door approach within the nursery so parents always feel welcome and comfortable spending time in the setting. Creating that home-from-home feel is really important, with opportunities for families to stop for a chat and stay connected to their child’s day. Alongside this, regular events and parent evenings throughout the year would help strengthen relationships and keep communication open. Setting up a parent committee could also support this further, giving families a clear voice and helping information flow more easily across the wider nursery community. Regular newsletters would then help keep everyone updated and involved in nursery life.

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

Bringing high energy and the right attitude into each day is key, along with a mindset that we can handle whatever comes our way. It’s about staying grounded in our purpose and remembering that our focus is to give the children a great day. When that happens, it naturally has a positive ripple effect across the team, helping everyone to have a great day too.

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

Our teams benefit from a strong induction from the very beginning, helping them feel prepared and supported as they join Fennies. I also make it a priority to have regular check-ins and spend time in the rooms so the team always feels able to come and speak with me. Being present is key, along with adapting how I communicate depending on the individual. When sharing policies or training, I try to use different approaches so the message lands well for everyone. It’s about staying flexible while consistently role modelling the expectations across the team.

Why Did You Choose To Work In Early Years Education?

I really enjoy being hands-on and involved in day-to-day nursery life, joining in wherever I can. There’s something very rewarding about being able to have a positive impact and help make people’s days that little bit better. For me, it’s about creating an enjoyable environment for everyone, whether that’s supporting the children in their learning and play or contributing to a positive atmosphere for my colleagues.

What Passions Do You Have Within The Early Years Curriculum?

I have a real passion for the creative side of learning, particularly expressive arts and messy play. I really value how these experiences support the prime areas of development and help lay strong foundations for children’s early learning journey. It’s important to me that children are given the time and space to build secure bonds, especially during the settling-in period. Finding ways to communicate and connect with each child helps them feel safe and understood. When that foundation is in place, they are far more confident to explore and feel empowered in their learning.

What Kind Of Leader Are You?

I try to keep things really positive and open, encouraging honest communication so we can work through anything together. It’s about creating an environment where challenges feel manageable and the team feels supported to talk things through. I also believe strongly in leading by example. I stay actively involved in the day-to-day practice and make sure I’m modelling the standards we expect from practitioners. Providing high-quality experiences for children remains at the heart of my role, and I see it as my responsibility to demonstrate that consistently through my own practice.

What Would You Like To Achieve In The First Six Months At Fennies Windsor?

The aim is for every child to feel fully settled and happy in the nursery, enjoying their time with friends and engaging in the activities around them. It’s important that they feel comfortable in their environment so they can explore, play, and learn with enjoyment and curiosity. Alongside this, supporting the team throughout the process is just as important. Ensuring they feel secure and happy in their roles helps create a positive atmosphere for everyone. Regular reassurance and being there to offer guidance and support where needed helps the team feel confident and well looked after.

What’s Your Favourite Thing About Coming To Work?

Seeing the children settled and happy in the nursery is the most rewarding part of the role. Hearing their stories about what they’ve been doing or what they’re excited to do next is always really special and gives a real insight into their experiences with us. It’s also meaningful to see the positive impact that both myself and the team can have on each other’s day. There’s a real sense of support and encouragement within the team, and that shared energy helps us lift one another and create a consistently positive environment for the children.

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

I really enjoy working on outdoor projects, particularly those that connect children with nature and the wider world around them. Growing vegetables in the nursery garden is a great example, especially when families can take them home and use them together, extending the learning beyond the setting. I’m also passionate about getting the children involved in looking after their local environment, such as taking part in litter picking and exploring ways we can make a positive difference within the community. Building relationships with local places, such as vets, would also be a fantastic opportunity, giving children real-life experiences that help them learn more about the world in a meaningful and engaging way.

What’s Going To Be The Best Thing About Fennies Windsor, Osborne Road?

Our goal is to be a leading nursery in Windsor, ensuring every child develops secure attachments and feels confident as they move through each stage of their Early Years journey. We place real importance on smooth transitions between age groups, so children continue to feel safe and ready to thrive. Beyond school readiness, our focus is on life readiness. This means supporting children with everyday independence, like putting their shoes on, building confidence, and developing key life skills alongside early learning such as writing their name. We also hope to build strong relationships with parents who share this belief, working together to give each child the very best foundation for their future.