At the heart of Tiny Toez Tamworth is Jayne Heaven Bates, a dedicated and experienced Nursery Manager whose journey into early years education has been shaped by both personal passion and a deep commitment to children’s development. With over 25 years in the sector, Jayne leads with warmth, purpose, and a belief in supporting every child’s potential. In this interview, she reflects on the path that led her to childcare, what inspires her day-to-day, and why she loves working at Tiny Toez Tamworth.
So firstly, tell us a bit about your professional journey to becoming a Manager. What inspired you and what route did you take?
“As a mother, I felt the urge for a career change when my son grew older. At first, I wasn’t sure what path to take, so I attended an open day at a local college. I went in thinking about a short course, but a wonderful group of ladies introduced me to the world of early years education. Before I knew it, I had enrolled in a two-year early years course and earned my Level Three qualification. I started my journey as a Nursery Nurse, and within just two years, I stepped up to a management role. During my time as a full-time manager, I completed my foundation degree and then pursued my BA. I also gained my Early Years Teacher Status simultaneously, as well as my Maths and English GCSE. Now, after 25 years in this field, I remain passionate about early years education.”
What’s your favourite part of your day at the nursery and why?
“Every day at Nursery brings something new. Working in early years is fulfilling as it plays an essential role in supporting children’s growth during their key developmental stages. I see the progress our little people make, the smiles on their faces when they achieve.”
It’s clear that for Jayne, no two days are the same, and that’s part of what makes the role so rewarding and unique.
Tiny Toez puts a strong focus on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment. How do you bring this to life in your setting?
“At Tiny Toez, we focus on creating a supportive atmosphere. Our aim is to establish a culture where both staff and children feel appreciated and energised. We prioritise an inspiring environment in our daily activities that nurtures our children’s growth. Our dedicated staff play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive space that supports a holistic approach to early childhood development. Parents as partners is also key to this, it’s about working with parents to find out what the needs of every individual child is and creating plans to support them on their learning journey.”
Managing a team and caring for children can be demanding. What helps you stay motivated and balanced?
“The key focus for me is having a supportive team. It’s essential to build trust and strong relationships with team members, as mutual respect fosters collaboration. Working through both the challenges and successes together strengthens our bond and enhances our overall effectiveness.”
In childcare, collaboration is key to creating a calm, consistent environment where children and staff feel secure and supported. A strong team that communicates well and works together can respond more effectively to the daily demands of the setting, from managing routines to supporting individual learning needs. When educators share responsibility and trust one another, it leads to better outcomes for children and a more positive, resilient working culture for everyone involved.
Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time? Any hobbies or interests that help you recharge?
“Outside of work, I keep myself quite busy. I’m a person who enjoys being active and loves spending time with my family and friends, particularly my wonderful grandson. My interests include gardening, shopping, and eating out, short breaks and days out. I also enjoy doing research in my free time, which I find soothing. Sometimes, this research is related to childcare, as I have a genuine interest in it. It’s great to continuously learn about the field I work in! Yes it is work related but it’s my choice and I enjoy it.”
And finally, what makes Tiny Toez Tamworth special to you?
“Tiny Toez Nursery offers a safe and nurturing space where young children can learn and grow through play-based activities and structured experiences. This environment encourages the development of confidence, creativity, and independence, while also promoting important social skills such as sharing, empathy, and communication. At Tiny Toez, we have a fantastic team known for strong communication and a shared purpose. With mutual respect and trust, everyone is eager to collaborate and support one another. This creates a friendly atmosphere. It’s special to me as I have been here for over 11 years now and I have watched it grow. I look forward to the on-coming years too.”
