Meet the Expert

Hayley

I have been part of the KatieB Kids family for 12 years, joining just a few months after the nursery first opened as Nursery Manager. I chose KatieB Kids because it was an independent nursery at the very beginning of its journey, which gave me the unique opportunity to help shape the nursery, its curriculum and the experiences we wanted children to have. From the very start, I believed in Katie's vision of creating something truly special, where children would be valued as individuals and emotional wellbeing would be at the heart of everything we do. It was exciting to be part of building that vision from the ground up.

Over the years, my own journey has evolved alongside the nursery. After having my second child and when my eldest started school, I wanted to spend more time with my family, so I stepped into the Deputy Manager role to work part-time. KatieB Kids supported me through that stage of my life, allowing me to balance my career with being present for my children as they grew up. As my family has grown older, I have gradually returned to a managerial role, something that has only strengthened my appreciation for working in a setting that genuinely values its team as much as its children.

For me, KatieB Kids is a place where emotional wellbeing isn't seen as an addition to education, it is the foundation of it. I believe children need secure relationships, emotionally available adults, and a strong sense of safety and belonging in order to learn, develop and thrive. Those values aren't just spoken about here; they are lived every single day.

What continues to inspire me after all these years is the depth of thought behind everything we do. There is a genuine commitment to creating environments where children feel understood, respected and confident to explore, alongside a culture that encourages reflection, professional growth and meaningful relationships. It allows me to bring together the areas I care most deeply about (emotional wellbeing, emotion coaching, reflective practice and therapeutic outdoor learning) in a way that feels purposeful and has a lasting impact on children's lives.

Twelve years on, I am still as passionate about KatieB Kids as I was when I first walked through the doors. Watching the nursery grow, seeing children flourish and being part of a team that shares the same values is incredibly rewarding. For me, KatieB Kids has never just been a place to work, it has been a place where I have been able to grow professionally, support families, and help create the kind of nurturing environment every child deserves.