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About us
Well hello you! Welcome to NurseryNook. We're so thrilled you've stumbled upon us. Below you'll find a little more about who we are and what we do. Until March 2025 NurseryNook was just run by James but then lovely Mel came on board - yay! Now we're delivering together we're sure great things are going to happen. Check us out below and reach out when you're ready to work with us.
James Tunnell
School Specialist
Director of NurseryNook
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I'm a former teacher with over a decade of experience in the education world. Before embarking on my teaching journey, I studied for four years and was awarded a BA in Primary Education in the Early Years from Leeds Trinity University. This foundational education has been the bedrock of my teaching career.
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During my time as an educator, I worked tirelessly in inner-city Bradford, where I taught Nursery and Reception classes from underprivileged backgrounds. This experience opened my eyes to the challenges many educators face, trying to provide quality education when children might not have the foundations they need.
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Nowadays, I'm all about delivering top-notch coaching and consultancy to schools. Whether it's in-person or online, I've had the privilege of sharing my expertise around the world, although my heart is often in delivering face-to-face sessions right here in the UK. Currently I'm focussing on support schools whilst Mel supports Private settings.
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From short, impactful sessions to comprehensive programs, I'm here to cater to your needs. But what truly sets me apart is my ability to make learning fun and engaging. I'm known for my humour and captivating presence, which keeps participants entertained and motivated throughout the process.
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Mel Shepherd
Nursery Specialist
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From a young age, I knew my calling was to work with children, and I found my true passion in Early Years education while specialising during my teaching degree. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in various roles—from Practitioner to Head of Quality and Childcare for a nursery group—across a wide range of settings.
What drives me is the belief that every child should be seen as an individual, celebrated for their unique strengths, and supported in their growth and development. I am dedicated to helping teams, from practitioners to leaders, bring this vision to life, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start.
I also have a strong commitment to team wellbeing. The Early Years environment can be both challenging and rewarding, and I firmly believe that prioritising the wellbeing of our educators is essential. It brings me immense joy to work alongside passionate individuals, celebrating their enthusiasm and dedication as we strive together to create nurturing settings for children."
Imagine having an extra member of the team in place - that's how we approach coaching. We believe in working alongside staff to demonstrate how to implement strategies rather than just writing them down. Our coaching style is all about being personable, approachable, and building meaningful connections with those we work with.
What really drives us is our unwavering belief that children learn best in Purposeful Provision, where the learning environment is tailored to them.
Whether you're an everyday teacher or practitioner seeking inspiration or a visionary leader or director aiming to elevate your organisation, we're your go-to people Let's team up to create an educational journey that leaves a lasting positive impact.
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