11/08/2026
People often ask me how I came to own a nursery. It feels especially relevant to share the story this year...
My dream of owning a nursery began when I was 15 years old during a week of work experience at a nursery in Warwick. That experience lit a spark in me that never really went away. It came flooding back recently when my daughter, Millie, completed her own work experience.
The journey really began after Millie was born. Duncan Nealon had started running his own business, and we found ourselves at one of those crossroads that many families experience. We were discussing what came next when Duncan reminded me of that 15-year-old girl who had dreamed of owning a nursery. By then, Millie had just started at the very first Banana Moon Nursery.
My immediate response was, "What do I know about running a nursery?" I dismissed the idea almost instantly.
But if you know Duncan, you'll know he wasn't accepting that answer! That conversation led to meeting Mark Bates, who had recently launched the Banana Moon Franchise... and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, we celebrate our 12th birthday.
Owning and running Banana Moon Day Nursery has been one of the most emotional, challenging and rewarding journeys of my life. I wouldn't change it for the world.
And here's the part that brings the story full circle... one of the children from our very first cohort is about to join us for their work experience.
You never know where a single week of work experience might lead. ❤️
To every member of staff, past and present, every parent who has trusted us, and every child who has walked through our doors—thank you. I never underestimate the enormity of the decision parents make when choosing someone to care for their children, and I feel incredibly privileged that so many families have chosen us over the past 12 years.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Happy 12th Birthday, Banana Moon Day Nursery (Harbury)! 🎉💛
Much love, Lucy