MULBERRY BUSH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Early Years Support Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Company Director, Director of Early Years for the Mulberry Bush Nurseries
I have worked in previous Early Years settings over the years, focusing on children aged 0-5 years old. I have carried out many different roles, starting as a nursery nurse at aged 18 and progressing into Lead Practitioner and Deputy Manager roles alongside completing university degrees to enhance my knowledge, gaining my final qualification of an Early Years Teachers Status. I started my journey at The Mulberry Bush in September 2020 and am thoroughly enjoying it so far - the ethos is great and takes a very holistic focus on the child, their family and their individuality. I am extremely passionate about what I do and enjoy supporting and training staff to enhance their practice and learning environments to offer the very best quality care to the children and also provide many opportunities and challenges throughout their play to extend their thinking and learning.
Leah holds her Level 3 NVQ qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development and has 10 years experience in the sector. Leah came to the Mulberry Bush in 2015 as Deputy Manager of the setting. She quickly established herself as a central member of the team. Leah then took over the role of Operations Manager looking after the HR and invoicing for the nursery as well as other 'behind the scenes' elements of the business.
"The Mulberry Bush is a very special place to work. It is so exciting to be part of the excellent team who are helping to develop the nurseries. I am really enjoying the opportunities that I have to develop both personally and professionally at the Mulberry Bush."
When I left school, I had a strong passion and drive for working in childcare and begun my Level 3, since then I have worked my way up the qualification ladder completing my Foundation Degree and my BA Honors in Early Childhood. I joined The Mulberry Bush in 2019 as Nursery Practitioner in Elderberries and the setting SENCO. Whilst watching The Mulberry Bush grow, I too have grown in my roles and skillset, progressing into Room Leader for Elderberries, helping The Mulberry Bush encourage their ethos to new staff as well as supporting the children with learning and development. Whilst I was Room Leader, I was fortunate enough to be accepted to complete my Post Graduate Certificate in Early Education whilst being supported by The Mulberry Bush to do so. My skills, knowledge and confidence grew whilst completing this course and I have been lucky enough to implement new ways of learning into the company to support continuous development of practitioners. In August 2022, I was given the opportunity to step into the Deputy Manager role which I feel after graduating as an Early Years Teacher allowed me to have the knowledge of practice to enable me to do this role efficiently. I work alongside and support a very motivated, happy and devoted team whose passion for childcare and development grows each and every day.
Ruby joins the Mulberry Bush Bitterne Park with a wealth of childcare experience. Having 9 spent years working in childcare within a variety of different roles Ruby has worked her way from a young apprentice to having been able to complete her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and the Children and Young People's Workforce. Having previously managed The Mulberry Bush Locks Heath, Ruby is excited to share her experience and provide her support to another one of The Mulberry Bush settings watching her ideas and passion grow.
"I'm passionate about providing stimulating environments that provide children with curiosity and excitement in their play. As a Manager I always strive to keep myself and the team up to date with any new training and initiatives that come into effect within the sector. "
At the age of 16 I begun an apprenticeship in a small nursery in Cornwall, this was when I realized my passion for childcare. I joined The Mulberry Bush in 2017 as a nursery practitioner when we had just one setting, and as my skills and knowledge developed, I was able to progress to Room Leader.
Vikki has been with the Mulberry Bush since the day the nursery opened in 2013 and has strived for only the best for the children she has cared for whilst originally working as our Preschool Room Leader. Vikki now joins the Management team as Deputy and looks forward to helping use her knowledge and skill to develop the setting as a whole. Vikki holds her level 3 qualification in Childcare and is the setting's qualified SENCO.
"I am very excited about furthering my Career within The Mulberry Bush and after 7 years leading the Preschool room, I feel this is the right time for me to do so. I am very excited to be able to help develop all rooms across the nursery and look forward to taking on this new role. I love working within childcare and here at The Mulberry Bush. The children are so full of interest and enthusiasm for everything that they do. It is wonderful to help them learn and develop as individuals."