The Biggest Mindset Shift I Made as a Nursery Owner - And How It Changed Everything

When I first opened my nursery setting, I had the usual dreams most early years professionals do. I wanted to create a safe, nurturing, inspiring space for children to grow. I had the qualifications, the passion, and years of experience in the sector. I’d worked with countless families and seen first-hand the impact of early education done well.

But I’ll be honest: running a nursery is a different beast. It’s not just about play and pedagogy - it’s also about staffing, finances, compliance, admin, risk assessments, and holding space for every worry that walks through the door (yours or someone else’s). Somewhere along the way, I became so wrapped up in the doing that I lost sight of the bigger picture.

The Shift: From Operator to Leader

The biggest mindset shift I made as a nursery owner was this:

👉 I stopped operating in the business and started leading it.

At first, it felt uncomfortable. Like I was stepping back from something I loved. But what I realised is that leading doesn’t mean stepping away - it means stepping up. It means having a clearer vision, setting boundaries, creating systems, and giving your team the tools to thrive without needing you in every decision.

When I moved from “fixing fires” to “building fireproof systems,” everything changed. My team grew in confidence, my days felt less reactive, and I found the headspace to do the deep, strategic work that really matters. Things like investing in training, improving our environments, refining our parent communications, growing our reputation in the community and now opening new settings.

Why It Matters

The early years sector is full of heart. But heart alone isn’t enough to sustain a business - or a team, long-term. As owners and managers, we have to wear two hats: the educator and the entrepreneur. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential.

I started investing in consultancy, coaching and marketing, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. It gave me perspective, structure, and support - things I hadn’t even realised I was missing. It helped me make decisions with clarity instead of emotion. And most importantly, it gave me the tools to build a culture of calm, confident leadership across my entire setting.

My Message to Other Nursery Owners

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like the nursery can’t function without you, I’ve been there. And you’re not alone. But I want to gently challenge you to ask:

• Are you leading your team… or managing their day-to-day?

• Are you building systems… or plugging gaps?

• Are you growing a business… or just surviving in it?

  
  

Because when you make that shift - from operator to leader - you open the door to real impact. Not just for the children in your care, but for the families, staff, and future of your setting.

Ready to Talk?

If you’d like to explore what that shift could look like for you, I’d love to help. Through Mienna Jones Consultancy, I work with nursery owners who are ready to rethink, rebuild, and rise - without losing their love for early years along the way.

Email to book a free, 15 minute discovery call hello@miennajones.com

Let’s change the story. For you. For your team. For the children.

Mienna Jones, Championing Childhood

📞 Call us: 07359 380484

📧 Email us: hello@miennajones.com

🌐 Visit: www.miennajones.com

📰 Join our mailing list: Sign up here