Step Inside Jabberwocky: Getting to Know the Amazing Nursery Team!

Parents and families are invited to discover the magic behind the scenes at Jabberwocky Nursery! This month's feature shines a spotlight on the dedicated practitioners who bring joy, learning, and laughter to the children every single day. To help everyone get better acquainted with these fantastic educators, the team answered a series of fun and revealing questions. From their ultimate messy play setups to the sweetest things the children have said, dive in to learn more about the wonderful staff making Jabberwocky so special!

Hollie

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? Superworm.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? The Bee Song.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? The sweetest was “I have had the best day, thank you!”

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Water and lemon squeezers.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? A big, strong hug.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Roast chicken, both as an adult and a child.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A Dolphin

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? To know how to better help children with SEND.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? If you love what you do for a living, you’ll never work a day in your life.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Back to see my parents for the day.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To be super at being kind, caring, and listening.

Penny

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? 'We are Going on a Bear Hunt' – I read it to my own children - Happy memories.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? 'Wind the Bobbin Up' - children love it & they can do the actions at a young age.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? I always carry my pen clipped to my top & the children say 'Penny, Pen, Pen.' It always makes me smile!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? I love a bit of painting! Especially using feet & hands.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Always a cuddle, rocking moves, & a soothing voice.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? I loved Rice Pudding and still do!

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A Blue Penguin.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Speaking a second language fluently & Ballroom Dancing.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Pick your battles - Always walk alongside your child - Pay into a pension all you can & don't stop it early.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Japan.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? The ability to talk to animals - we would have so much fun when at forest school & out on walks!!

Jaz

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? The Smartest Giant in Town. I like how the children can sing along and join in with the repeating parts of the story.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? The Bee Hive song- the children love it just as much as I do!

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? Sweetest thing: “Jaz, you make me happy, I love you”.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Shaving foam!

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Distraction is key. Either seeing Jersey the bunny, having cuddles or catching & blowing bubbles usually works.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? As a child, it was pâté on toast. Now, most Chinese-inspired dishes.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? I’ve always wanted a monkey.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Definitely a mechanic, cars are expensive!

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? If you haven’t got anything kind to say, don’t say anything at all.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? The Maldives.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To be able to clone myself, to help in more than one place when needed.

Katie

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? The Gruffalo, because I love being dramatic, doing the animal’s voices.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Miss Polly had a Dolly.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “I love your face, Katie, it’s so shiny!”

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Puffy paint!

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Getting out the musical instruments and having some baby room band time.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Cheese! And now, slightly fancier cheese!

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A dragon.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Drawing or painting or anything artistic.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “You can’t please everyone all of the time”.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Disney World.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? I would want to be super-fast so I could get the nappy changes done quicker!

Maisey

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? My favourite storybook to read to the children is ‘Owl Babies’ because it reminds me of when I was younger and listening to my teachers reading me the book.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? I would sing 'Wind the Bobbin Up' for the rest of the year.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? The sweetest thing a child has said to me is that I have pretty hair.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? My go-to messy play activity would be shaving foam.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? My secret superpower is to give them a cuddle and tell them to breathe, then let them calm down until they are ready to go and play.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? My favourite food when I was a child was tinned tomatoes with cheese on toast, and my favourite food now is my mum's homemade spaghetti and meatballs.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? I would have a pet elephant because I love them very much.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Knowing how to fly a plane and go around the world.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is not to deny or be afraid of big opportunities that come my way, because it’s meant to be.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? I would travel to Switzerland.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? My superpower would be to read minds, as it would help me understand the children at a better level.

Conclusion

The practitioners at Jabberwocky Nursery are truly a remarkable group, each bringing their own unique talents, favourite stories, and brilliant superpowers to the nursery rooms! Understanding the bright personalities behind the daily care and education provides a wonderful glimpse into the engaging and nurturing environment the children experience. Parents are encouraged to strike up a conversation with the staff about their favourite storybooks or dream travel destinations the next time they drop off their little ones!