What To Expect From A Day Working At Fennies: Life As An Early Years Educator

If you’ve ever wondered “What is it like to work in a nursery?” or “What does a typical day look like for a nursery practitioner?” This guide gives you an inside look at what makes Fennies such a special place to grow your Early Years career.

Every day at Fennies is full of purpose, creativity and collaboration. Whether you’re an experienced Early Years Practitioner, a Room Leader or just starting your journey as an Apprentice, life at Fennies offers the chance to make a real difference every single day.

Here’s what to expect when you join our community of passionate educators.

What Is It Like To Start Your Morning At A Fennies Nursery?

Your day begins with warmth, teamwork and preparation. Each Fennies Nursery opens from 7:45 am (with early sessions available from 7 am), so our teams arrive ready to create a calm and welcoming start for children and families.

Before the first families arrive, staff meet for a quick morning briefing. This is also when our educators collaborate on activity planning, sharing creative ideas that link to the Curriculum & Pedagogy and support the EYFS learning goals.

How Do Fennies Staff Support Children During Drop-Off?

Parents often ask, “Who greets my child at nursery?” and for our teams, this is one of the most meaningful parts of the day. Each child is welcomed by their key person, who helps them settle in and start their day with confidence. As an educator, this means offering reassurance, connection and a smile that sets the tone for a positive morning.

Our teams understand how important those few moments are for families, so we take time to build relationships and maintain clear communication through our Parent Partnerships approach, a philosophy that keeps parents fully involved in their child’s learning journey.

What Happens During the Morning Learning Sessions?

After drop-off, the learning begins! A typical morning involves a mix of child-led exploration and educator-guided activities across all age groups.

Nursery practitioners design experiences that stimulate curiosity and creativity, drawing inspiration from children’s interests and enhancements from our pedagogy including STEM, Art, PE, and Languages. Whether you’re setting up a sensory play station for babies or leading a storytime session for toddlers, every activity helps build the foundations for lifelong learning.

As part of the team, you’ll also capture learning observations and updates on the Famly app, which allows parents to see their child’s progress in real time. This digital connection helps you share those special moments that make working in Early Years so rewarding.

How Do Teams Support Mealtimes And Social Learning?

Our talented in-house chefs prepare healthy, balanced meals that are shared in each room. As a member of the team, you’ll sit with the children, modelling table manners, encouraging self-serving and making conversation that helps them develop communication and social skills.

The team plays a key role in supporting positive eating habits and understanding children’s individual needs, including allergies and cultural dietary requirements. Fennies’ partnership with the Early Years Alliance ensures that our menus are both nutritious and inclusive, part of our whole-nursery commitment to well-being.

What Happens During Rest And Afternoon Activities?

After lunch, the atmosphere becomes calmer. Practitioners prepare sleep spaces or quiet zones depending on each child’s needs. You might supervise naps for babies while supporting restful activities for older children.

This is also the time for team reflection and planning. Our teams often use quieter moments to prepare resources, complete learning journals and collaborate on future room themes. You’ll have time to discuss development milestones and share ideas with colleagues and room leaders.

In the later afternoon, energy levels rise again! Outdoor play, creative crafts and music sessions bring the nursery to life. Our free-flow garden spaces allow children to explore safely under your supervision, promoting independence, confidence and physical development.

How Do Fennies Practitioners Collaborate And Communicate?

Teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the day, educators collaborate to ensure routines run smoothly, from mealtimes to transitions between rooms. Managers hold open-door policies, offering guidance and support whenever it’s needed.

Each nursery also benefits from our dedicated Support Office team, handling HR, admissions, finance and marketing so that our practitioners can focus entirely on what matters most, delivering exceptional care and education.

How Do Teams Prepare For Pick-Up And Parent Communication?

As the day draws to a close, practitioners help children prepare for home time with calm group activities, story sessions and tidy-up routines that promote responsibility and closure.

When parents arrive, the team shares daily updates, what their child enjoyed, how they ate and any key achievements or moments to celebrate. It’s a time for genuine connection, where educators and parents come together to celebrate each child’s progress.

What Is The End-Of-Day Reflection Like For Staff?

Once families have gone home, teams spend time reflecting on the day. This might involve updating learning journals, planning for the next day’s activities or debriefing as a group. These sessions are vital for maintaining the high standards Fennies is known for, encouraging open communication and shared professional growth.

Team members are encouraged to discuss what worked well and identify areas to improve, ensuring every nursery day is even better than the last.

What Is It Like to Develop Your Career at Fennies?

Fennies is a place to grow. Whether you’re new to Early Years or an experienced professional, our dedicated Career Development programme offers tailored support to help you progress.

Every educator receives a paid two-day induction, complete with Paediatric First Aid and safeguarding training. From there, our internal Learning & Development team provides continuous opportunities for professional growth through workshops and one-to-one coaching.

We also run structured leadership pathways, including Room Leader, Deputy Manager and Nursery Manager development programmes, giving team members the confidence and skills to move forward in their careers.

How Does Fennies Prioritise Staff Wellbeing?

We believe that educators who feel valued deliver the best care. Fennies offers comprehensive wellbeing initiatives, including access to BUPA Health & Wellbeing, mental health support and generous annual leave.

Every nursery has bespoke staff rooms where teams can relax and recharge, and all employees enjoy free, freshly cooked meals from our in-house chefs. We also celebrate success through recognition schemes, team events and career milestones, because your growth matters to us as much as the children’s.

To learn more about how we support our teams, visit Why Work at Fennies.

How Does Fennies Invest In Quality And Innovation?

Our nurseries are purpose-built, thoughtfully designed spaces that inspire learning and creativity. From neutral, calming interiors to state-of-the-art play areas, every detail is chosen to enhance both children’s experiences and staff working environments.

We work closely with experts such as Dr Sam Wass to ensure our environments reduce overstimulation and promote focus and well-being. Our ongoing investment in training, facilities and resources ensures that our educators always have the tools they need to deliver outstanding care.

Why Do Educators Love Working at Fennies?

Ask any member of the Fennies team, and they’ll tell you it’s the people that make the difference. Our educators are passionate, collaborative and proud to be part of a community that values innovation, kindness and excellence.

Whether you’re guiding a baby through their first steps or preparing a child for school, every moment at Fennies is an opportunity to inspire. Our teams support one another like family, celebrating achievements big and small.

How Can You Join the Fennies Team?

If you’re ready to build a rewarding career in Early Years education, joining Fennies is your next step.

You can explore open roles, from Nursery Practitioner and Room Leader positions to leadership and support office roles, on our Join the Fennies Team page. We’re always looking for passionate, dedicated people who want to make a difference in children’s lives.

Whether you’re seeking your first childcare role or ready to advance into management, you’ll find a clear career pathway, supportive mentors and an environment where your voice truly matters.

At Fennies, you’ll gain more than just a job, you’ll find purpose, progression and a community that believes in your potential.