From passion to profession: Inspiring journeys at Grandir UK

At Grandir UK, we’re proud to celebrate our dedicated team members who educate, nurture and lead across our nursery settings, making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families every day.

This GrandWomen blog shines a well-deserved spotlight on two inspiring women within our teams, whose careers started with humble beginnings and have progressed to leadership roles that shape the future of Early Years education.

While this campaign highlights the incredible achievements of women, it’s also part of a wider commitment to empower all team members, regardless of gender, to grow, excel and thrive in their careers.

Hannah’s journey: From Deputy Room Leader to Nursery Manager

Hannah’s journey began in 2016 at Kiddi Caru Redhill as a Deputy Room Leader. Through dedication, hard work and a genuine passion for Early Years education, she was soon promoted to Room Leader. This opportunity opened the door to further promotions, from Third in Charge to Deputy Manager, and ultimately to her current role as Nursery Manager at Elan Preschool.

Her passion for working with children began in her teenage years, when she regularly babysat for local families. This early experience sparked a lasting motivation, rooted in a desire to help children flourish and grow. As she puts it:

“I love watching their confidence and resilience develop, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the wonder in their eyes when they learn something new. I genuinely feel that I’m playing a key role in preparing them for school and giving them the tools they need to thrive in the next stage of their journey.”

Now thriving in a leadership role, Hannah strongly encourages others to seek out qualifications and mentorship early in their careers. Reflecting on her own experience, she shares:

“Put the hard work in now to get your qualification – it is so worth it. Once you are qualified it opens doors, and you can progress as far as you want to go. Also, throw yourself into the role completely. Learn from your colleagues; you will gain so much from watching their quality interactions and activities.“

Nine years into her journey, Hannah remains just as passionate about the children she cares for and about Grandir UK, as the day she started.

From unqualified practitioner to Early Years Specialist: Jade’s inspiring journey

Jade’s career has progressed to incredible heights, starting from an unqualified practitioner to becoming an Early Years Specialist.

Her journey began at 19, when she was initially looking for a stable job after encouragement from her cousin. What started as a temporary role quickly transformed into a meaningful career. Jade joined Grandir UK in 2020, when Dicky Birds became a part of the group, bringing with her over a decade of experience including roles as Deputy Manager and Nursery Manager across four settings.

Supported by her team, Jade achieved her Level 3 qualification and later completed a university degree while pregnant, overcoming the added challenge of dyslexia along the way. “Achieving something I never thought possible only strengthened my determination to succeed,” she says.

Now stepping into the role of Early Years Specialist, Jade is excited to support teams across multiple nurseries. “I’m looking forward to helping others grow, enhancing environments, and ultimately making a difference to even more children.”

Her advice to those just starting out? “Ask as many questions as you can, there’s no such thing as a ‘silly’ question. If you need to ask something more than once, don’t be afraid to do so. I truly believe it’s far better to ask repeatedly and seek clarity than to remain unsure”.

Jade credits Grandir UK for its strong sense of community and consistent support. “What stands out most is the strong sense of community; you’re recognised by name, not just as an employee, which truly makes you feel valued.”.

Empowering growth at every level

At Grandir UK, we’re committed to creating an environment where all team members, regardless of their identity, background or starting point, can grow into the leaders they aspire to be. From our Early Years apprenticeships to flexible roles, we provide people with the support they need to build long-lasting and happy careers in Early Years education.

Our GrandWomen campaign is just one way we highlight the success of people across our nurseries. It celebrates women in leadership while reinforcing our broader message: everyone deserves the chance to lead, thrive, and be supported in their goals.

Whether you’re new to the Early Years sector or looking to take the next step in your career, we hope these stories inspire you to imagine what’s possible.