Hi, I'm Jacqui
I specialise in creating space for Early Years practitioners and leaders to think more clearly, lead more confidently, and feel more like themselves at work.
I've spent most of my working life in Early Years, and after more than 25 years, I still feel privileged to do this work. As a Kindergarten Manager, I understand the realities of the role, the juggling, the responsibility, the emotional load, and the constant balancing act that comes with caring for children, families, and teams.
I also know how valuable it can be to have someone who listens, understands your world, and gives you the space to think out loud.
That's what I aim to offer. A place where you can step away from the day-to-day pressures, reflect on what's happening for you, and find the clarity and confidence to move forward in a way that feels right for you.
My work is rooted in experience, empathy, and a genuine belief that those who care for others deserve support too.
"Then someone asked me a good question in supervision. And actually listened to the answer."
Coach, Supervisor, Teacher — and still in the room
My career has taken me through classroom teaching, senior leadership, and Early Years specialist roles, including achieving Advanced Skills Teacher status, a secondment as a CLLD Consultant, and contributing to two Department for Education national projects. Each experience has shaped the way I think about children, learning, leadership, and the people who make it all happen.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to help establish a nature-based outdoor kindergarten from the ground up. Being part of creating its vision, ethos, and practice from scratch was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It challenged me to think differently about what children need to thrive and what meaningful learning can look like.
My approach has always been informed by both research and practice. I've drawn inspiration from the work of Froebel, Steiner, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori, but it was my Forest School training that truly changed my perspective. It opened my eyes to the extraordinary power of the outdoor environment and its impact on children's autonomy, wellbeing, confidence, and sense of wonder.
Over the years, I've become increasingly interested in the people behind the practice — the practitioners and leaders navigating complex roles while striving to do their best for children and families. I know how demanding that can be because I've lived it myself.
In 2025, I began my Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring and founded The Nurtured Leader. It felt like a natural next step, and in many ways, the culmination of everything I'd learned throughout my career. My experiences in teaching, leadership, mentoring, and Early Years all seemed to come together in one place.
I genuinely love this work. There is something incredibly special about being trusted with someone's professional journey. Seeing someone gain confidence, uncover new possibilities, or find clarity they didn't realise was already within them is a privilege every single time. That's what continues to inspire me and why I care so deeply about creating spaces where Early Years practitioners and leaders feel heard, supported, and able to flourish.
A few other things about me:
My team won Silver at the 2023 National Teaching Awards for Early Years Team of the Year — I didn't see that coming, and it meant everything.
I have two teenage boys, who I watch with pride and a small sense of panic at how fast they're growing up.
I'm the eldest of three sisters. Nurturing people comes with the territory.
I knit, sew, bake, and make things for the people I love.
I believe that given the right conditions, things flourish — plants, children, and adults finding their way.
Credentials:
Ed QTS (Hons)
ILM Level 5 Coaching & Mentoring (in progress)
NPQEYL
Early Years SENDCo L3
Forest School Leader L3
DSL
Mental Health First Aider