To be a successful nursery owner and manager at the age of 25 is something that Emma Graham is justifiably proud of. Since acquiring the former Just Learning nursery in Bear Park, Durham, in 2007, occupancy at the newly named Busy Bears Children's Day Nursery has soared, and extended services have been developed.
Emma has a degree in business management from Leeds University. In her first year of owning the nursery she qualified as an Early Years Professional. When it comes to experience she has been able to draw on the knowledge and expertise of her mother, a seasoned nursery owner.
'My mother has operated Busy Bees Children's Day Nursery in Durham for more than ten years and she has a wealth of experience to share with me,' says Emma. 'When we first acquired the nursery, the building was in a bad state and the numbers were pretty low. But we pulled together as a team, took on board the staff and totally refurbished the building to make it a bright and exciting place for children.'
Emma reports that it only took around three months for word to spread that Busy Bears and her mother's nearby nursery were owned by the same family, and for business to come her way by word of mouth. When she acquired the site it had 30 children and ten staff. It now boasts 100 children and 25 staff. Emma's goal is to have 300 children registered, with a staff of 60.
'I did a lot of networking to attract business when we opened, which involved going to see the HR departments of all the big local employers, like Northumbria Water, for example,' she says. 'We also spent time building contacts with schools, and we have since formed a holiday club partnership with Durham High School for Girls, which enables pupils aged from three to 11 to have full use of the nursery facilities during school holidays.'
Staff morale has been bolstered by changes to work patterns. 'The staff now work a four-day week rather than on a shift system, which is better for them, and it helps the children receive better continuity of care,' Emma says.
'I keep a keen eye on all aspects of training for my team and ensure they are fully up to speed. We have regular staff meetings and team-building exercises to ensure that everyone is well motivated.'
Emma has worked hard to build rapport with parents and feels she is achieving this, despite the fact she is relatively young and does not have any children of her own.
'The business is a great challenge for me and I thrive on it,' she says. 'My mother is a very dynamic, enthusiastic person and I think I have inherited these qualities from her. We have a close relationship as mother and daughter, and during our respective business days we keep in close touch to share and solve any problems, or discuss any issues.'
