Fresh perspectives and motivation from recent new year resolutions means January is one of the most popular times for people to consider looking for pastures new career-wise. Research carried out this time last year revealed 71% of workers will looking into job-hunting in the new year.
Whether people pursue higher salaries or are looking for more rewarding work, taking advice from those in the know is a great way to climb a rung up the ladder.
Cayden Herbert, one of our newest franchisees, talks us through her journey of how she rose up the ranks in just over two years from nursery practitioner to franchisee.
Knowing your calling
My mum ran her own nursery at home, so I was always around children – I loved it! I knew straight away this is what I wanted to do. Sometimes I’d pretend I was sick at school so I could go home and help out with the nursery.
When I got a little older, I started babysitting too. I try to keep in contact with as many of the kids as I can, and we catch up when I go back to South Africa. One of them is about to turn 18, which is a little crazy as I can remember them not being able to tie their shoelaces!
I went onto to studying education in the foundation phase and early childhood development at the University of Pretoria. After a year working as an au pair in Amsterdam, I returned home due to the pandemic. Literally my first day back I got a message from Monkey Puzzle about becoming a nursery practitioner at Monkey Puzzle Highbury – as soon as I could I moved to London.
First steps to franchising
I worked at Monkey Puzzle Highbury for two years before moving to another nursery, Melody Lane in May 2023. I moved from being a practitioner for one of our toddler rooms into the pre-school room at Melody Lane. Both sites are owned by the Kents – a lovely, supportive family who gave me lots of opportunities to learn and develop my skills. It was such an amazing feeling to come into work every day knowing I was doing what I’d always wanted to do.
I was back at a BBQ in South Africa and I was chatting with a family friend who asked me what a good investment would be – I immediately said childcare. He gave me six months to come up with a proposal. Like me, he was blown away by the professionalism and standing of the brand. We submitted a plan to the head office team and in August I got an email back saying Monkey Puzzle wanted a new franchisee for Stoke Newington – it was such an easy decision to say yes!
Cayden’s advice
I’ve learnt so many valuable lessons on my journey from nursery practitioner to franchisee. I think it’s really important to put yourself first. If you have an opportunity to do something you’ve always wanted to do, go for it. I loved every minute working at Highbury and Melody Lane, but I’d always wanted to run my own nursery, so when the opportunity at Stoke Newington arose, I was confident in the skills I’d developed to take the step up.
Another key piece of advice I’d give is to use the people around you to help you to achieve your goals. I want to turn Stoke Newington from a good to an outstanding nursery when Ofsted’s next inspection comes around and then thinking more longer-term, I’ve got the ambition to run several nurseries, but I know I can’t do that alone. Using the fantastic support that Monkey Puzzle offer to their franchisees is essential. I’m midway through my training now and it is really helping me make that transition into a franchisee.
The Kents, who owned both Highbury and Melody Lane, have also been so supportive of me. I know if I need any advice, I could turn to them and they’d be more than willing to help. Then of course the children keep me inspired too. Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter shows that this step has been really worthwhile.
I’ve always wanted to run my own nursery and I really value the opportunity to realise my dream so quickly! I’m very grateful to Monkey Puzzle for recognising a sense of ambition in me and supporting me to reach my goals. The ultimate aim is to make the nurseries a place where the children and parents are comfortable – a home away from home. Just like the nursery my mum used to run!
Cayden Herbert is a franchisee for our Stoke Newington nursery. She has been with us since 2021 and has previously worked at Monkey Puzzle Highbury and Melody Lane.
