15/09/2026
🐝 From Lunch Cover to Centre Director: Sarah’s Busy Bees Journey...
“You never know where one opportunity might take you.”
Sarah’s Busy Bees journey began back in 2009, when she joined as a lunch cover, looking for a role that would work around her own childcare.
What she didn’t know then was that this small opportunity would be the start of a 17-year career in early years.
Sarah quickly discovered how much she loved being part of children’s learning and development, building relationships with families and watching children grow in confidence. She went on to complete her Level 3 in Childcare and continued to develop her skills and experience.
Her career has taken her from:
Lunch Cover → Qualified Practitioner → Room Leader → Third in Charge → Assistant Centre Director → Centre Director! 🎉
Each step has brought new challenges and opportunities to learn. Sarah has stepped outside her comfort zone, taken on new responsibilities and, with the support and encouragement around her, continued to progress.
Now, as a Centre Director, Sarah is passionate about creating a nursery where children can thrive and where colleagues feel valued, supported and encouraged to develop their own careers.
For Sarah, it’s proof that you really don’t have to start at the top to build an amazing career.
“I started with a few hours as a lunch cover, fitting work around my family. 17 years later, I’m leading the centre. I couldn’t have predicted that when I started.”
A career in early years can take you in directions you never expected. You could start as a practitioner or apprentice, gain qualifications, become a Room Leader, move into leadership – or, like Sarah, one day find yourself leading your own centre.
Your starting point doesn’t define your destination.
Sarah’s journey started with one opportunity. Where could yours take you?
