An inspiring story of career redirection
Making a career change can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it involves transitioning to a completely new field.
Uncover Rachel Stevens' inspiring journey from a successful career in marketing to retraining as a nursery educator at N Family Club, recently progressing to deputy room manager. Discover how she made the leap, the skills she brought with her, and the support she received along the way, all while embracing the rewarding and fast-paced world of early years education.
It's never too late to follow your passion and embark on a new, fulfilling career path.
- What was your first day like as an early years educator compared to your first day in marketing?
I’d say it was pretty overwhelming—but in a good way! I was 23, new to London, and felt out of place in a busy casting studio where everyone seemed so experienced and cool! Fast-forward 10 years (almost exactly to the day!) and my first day at N was overwhelming in a different way. Suddenly, I was responsible for real lives and providing outstanding care—no more hiding behind a computer screen with my camera off! This was lights, camera, action…all day!
- Which of your marketing skills have been surprisingly helpful in your nursery educator role?
My relationship management skills have been very transferable. Where previously my clients were theatre producers or interior design brands, now they're parents, and keeping them happy and informed is just as important. I’m keen on ensuring that parent communications are handled quickly and with the right detail.
- How has N Family Club supported your career transition?
N has been amazing- I’ve never worked somewhere where I’ve felt so appreciated. I really do feel like the world is my oyster as far as my progression within the company is concerned, and my new role of Deputy Room Manager demonstrates this. Despite being new to this industry, I’ve been listened to and feel heard. Everyone I have spoken to has been really forthcoming in their praise of what and how I’m doing, and I feel like I’m absolutely in the right place at the right time.
- What’s your favourite story from your time as an early years educator so far?
It’s hard to choose because something funny happens every day! But early on, I asked a child in our preschool room what they were doing after nursery one Friday, and they replied, "Going to the pub with mummy and daddy and eating 17 packets of crisps!" I loved it because a) it’s exactly how I’d also spend a Friday night, and b) when I mentioned it to his parents at handover, they blushed and said they were embarrassed that he’d admitted they go to the pub! I said to them that they absolutely shouldn’t be embarrassed and that it sounded like the perfect Friday night, and I could tell that it sort of eased some of that early tension that parents can feel when their child is new.
- Has this career change impacted your personal life or how you see yourself outside of work?
This career change has definitely impacted my personal life. After the pandemic, I was used to working from home. My jobs were always London-based, and I’d often go to events in the evening or meet friends after work. In my current role, I am nursery-based Monday to Friday, so I definitely make much more of my weekends and am a lot more grateful for them! The soft skills I have learnt in this role and the positivity from the team around me have made me more confident, both in and outside of work.
- What do you enjoy most about working at N?
Even though it can be a busy time, I really enjoy doing the parent handovers at the end of the day. It’s so lovely to share a little detail about their child’s day and the areas of progression and development that we’re working on or noticing improvement in. It just feels like a lovely moment of partnership with the parents.
At N, I really enjoy how fostering and progressing talent is at the heart of the business. It feels like they want their team to succeed, and they’ll support them to the best of their ability to make it happen. I feel like I could speak to anyone in the company about my career progression—there’s no sense of hierarchy or that certain people are off limits, and that makes me feel really settled in my role and confident about my future here.
- What do you hope to achieve in the next few years as an early years educator?
I’d love to represent my nursery as the N Rep ( our spokesperson for each location) next year and am also keen to take on the Mental Health First Aid training. N offers so many training opportunities, and I’m eager to do as many of them as I can! I’d like to continue to work my way up the ladder and take on more nursery management responsibilities - particularly in terms of helping to foster great company culture, supporting settings to make the most of the curriculum, and working closely with future apprentices or people early in their journey.
- What advice would you give to someone considering a career change, especially into something like education?
Just go for it! Have open and honest conversations with the people closest to you, and definitely weigh up the pros and cons, but if you’ve got that little (or loud!) voice in the back of your head, listen to it. It’s there for a reason. There is no such thing as being too old to change careers, and it doesn’t matter if it’s not forever! Early years education is so rewarding, and you will gain so much from it. With a company such as N, which is incredibly well established and only going from strength to strength, you can receive the support and reassurance you need. It’s hard work, but absolutely worth it.