Meet Our Nursery Team

Hi, I am Eileen, I have spent my entire career, with wholehearted passion, setting up, establishing & running good quality playgroups & nurseries across London. I hold an army of qualification's & never tire of learning new things. I set up Mara in Oct 2020 and have a beautiful smaller setting in Covent Garden which is Ofsted rated 'Outstanding'. I have 6 children of my own and am a Nana. I love travelling, so we have ventured to 60 plus countries. My vision for Mara is to create a home away from home, which is welcoming, supportive and where children have the best experiences of their early years.

Hello! My name is Miriam. I am the Operations Manager at Mara, Turtles and Nest Nursery. I have worked as an Executive assistant for many years at various different companies, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Henderson Global Investors. I live in Whetstone with my three children, my husband and our wonderful cat, Cookie. I love running and outdoor swimming.

Hi! My name is Coral, and I’ve worked within the early years setting for over 3 years now. The first nursery I worked in was a Montessori nursery. I then began working at Turtles Nursery (also owned by Eileen) in Covent Garden. I love Eileen’s way of teaching children as it’s very much based around the children and letting them explore and experience new things freely and I believe that’s what it’s all about! Carry out fire drills. Ensure extinguishers and in date and labelled. Check evacuation posters. Complete and log fire drill.

Hello, I’m Jerleen. I am the Manager at Mara Nursery. I went to University and studied Law and Business but my passion has always been with children.  I have previously worked at Barracudas which is a holiday camp, as well as doing babysitting and nannying between my studies. I feel like I am finally in my element working in the early years setting as I am a child at heart, which has helped me to bond with the children at Mara.  I enjoy learning new things and endeavouring in new challenges.  From a young age I have always had the motivation to support others to achieve their goals and help them to develop within education and their wellbeing. Having the opportunity to work with children on a daily basis will enable me to help them to achieve their independence and reach their milestones. When I’m not at work I enjoy cooking, and spending time with my friends, family and dog Anna. Role: Childrens tracking and development lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead Using Famly to track and monitor children’s progress in learning and development. Support staff in their observations and assessments. Check baselines and assessments are complete. Follow up with action plan and next steps Ensure the general safety and wellbeing of everyone in the setting. Report any concerns and support staff in their safeguarding practice and knowledge. Follow up any concerns working with different agencies.

Hi my name is Bonnie, I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in Early Years, so once I completed college I took on the role as an Early Years Apprentice, I loved the idea of learning on the job, ten years later I am now a Senior Nursery Nurse, with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood, Play Work and Education. Role: Parent support Advisor To support parents and carers on the general topics regarding children’s development/ challenges as followed: Oral health, Sleep, Behavior, Weaning I am also a mother to two lovely children, this has enabled me to experience nurseries from both viewpoints, the practitioner and the parent, this inside experience helps me to understand the feelings and needs of parents and children when using nurseries, I have a keen interest in learning through play and exploration as well as using nature to enhance children’s learning. The nurturing, warm feel and the emphasis on following children’s interests really drew me to Mara Nursery, I am excited to start my journey at Mara and looking forward to getting to know you all.

Hi there, I'm Claudia and I am a nursery practitioner here at Mara Nursery. I am originally from Colombia, but I have been living in London since 2011. I have a degree in Speech therapy and I am practitioner level 3. I have worked in different bilingual nurseries in London teaching Spanish to children as a second language. I am very excited to start working here at Mara's Nursery because it is a great opportunity to improve my English as a second language haha. The nursery staff and the children have welcomed me with open arms and I love to see the approach of the nursery towards the children's learning and development. They learn freely, taking advantage of the different spaces available. Finally, I love working with children because this jobs allows me to actually make a change in the world by helping raise loving and caring individuals.

I have my Level 6 Childcare Qualification. I am the youngest of 6 children and the proud owner of a beautiful cat called O'Malley. Check risk assessments have been completed daily. Ensure they are stored when completed. Ensure the general safety of the building by notifying management of any risk or hazards.

I have 22 years of experience as a Nanny! I speak Russian , Bulgarian and English language! I like being around children so much. In my free time I like to go swimming, I love reading and really enjoy cooking for my friends. When they enjoy my cooking, it makes me very happy!

Role: Deputy Manager, Equality, diversity, and inclusion officer, EAL Support and Staff Wellbeing officer Hi, I’m Paige. As the Deputy Manager here at the nursery, I also lead on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and staff wellbeing. I have a real passion for supporting children with additional needs and hold a specialist qualification in learning disabilities. For me, it’s so important that every child feels seen, heard and supported, that their unique strengths are recognised and celebrated. I take great pride in making sure all children’s individual needs are met and that our nursery is a place where everyone feels safe, welcome and valued. Celebrating diversity is at the heart of what we do and I feel incredibly lucky to help lead such a caring and inclusive team.

Hello, my name is Selena. I'm very excited about joining Mara Nursery and learning new things. I have new colleagues and they are all super nice! And of course meeting lots of new faces of the lovely children, when I play with them my heart melts! I'm surprised about the way of teaching children which a huge difference compared to the Hong Kong Kindergartens, here it is more creative, with lots of exploring and embracing nature! Thank you to Mara for giving me the chance to explore my way too. Before moving to the UK with my family in 2020, I was a Violin Teacher for ten years, now I keep my passion on music and keep practicing and teaching in my spare time.

Hello, I’m Kéja-Kyra. I started my journey at a young age, babysitting for family and family friends. Children have always taken to me and childcare has always been a passion for me, so I went to college and studied Health and Social Care. I always knew I wanted to work with children and actually had my sights set on being a Midwife. I soon learnt that I am a practical learner so at the age of 17 I completed my Level 2 Apprenticeship in Children and Young peoples workforce, this is where my passion was ignited and began to grow. I then moved on to work at Clowns Day Nursery, an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated nursery. At Clowns I completed my Level 3 qualification, from here there was no stopping me. Although I had a part time job while studying for my level 3 and working a 40 hour week, I could never get tired of seeing the children, everyday is unpredictable. I then went on to University to study Health and Social Care to further my knowledge and understanding in Child care. I also have experience in being a Nanny. Next in store for me was working at Mara Nursery! I couldn’t be happier with this Mara Nursery and the team I work with. I am a big kid at heart and I love creative and messy play, challenging children’s abilities and teaching them new skills. It really fills my heart with joy when i see a child progressing and achieving with my help and support. Apart from work I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, doing spontaneous activities and outing and sleeping.

Nursery Practitioner - Level 3

Role: 1:1 Lead I have two wonderful children aged 11 and 13. and it brings me joy every day, and i love being their mum I have two very energetic cats called buddy and Bella, whom I adore, and they are spoilt! Having a child who has additional needs Autism, ADHD, Tourettes made me become the person I am today. I have such a passion and drive for working alongside children who also need my love and care working in all areas of their needs, I knew I wanted to give this passion in my daily job and I am very thankful for finding Mara and having this opportunity.

Room Leader - Level 3 Role: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Ensure the general safety and wellbeing of everyone in the setting. Report any concerns and support staff in their safeguarding practice and knowledge. Follow up any concerns working with different agencies. Also to ensure the environment and activities provided include a variety of festivals and celebrations from our local communities’ cultures. Ensure British values are implemented throughout the room, daily. Ensure staff follow the long term plan.

Nursery Apprentice - Level 3

Nursery Practitioner - Level 3

Vrushti's favourite foods are: Thepla/Mango Mara Nickname: Crush Hobbies: travelling and learning different languages Future aspirations: I would love to become a Teacher Facts: I am very hard working and passionate about my job Favourite part since joining Mara: I have learnt about different cultures, languages and love all Mara staff and babies

Favourite foods are: My homemade walnut cake Mara Nickname: Cathy Hobbies: Baking cakes Facts: I have 3 children and 2 are twins! Favourite thing since joining Mara: Working with Paige!

One to one support

Favourite foods are: Passion Fruit Mara Nickname: Pri Hobbies: Listening to Music Future aspirations: To be like Jerleen Facts: I can play 3 instruments - guitar, piano and trumpet Favourite thing since joining Mara: Having an opportunity to work with different people

Lunchtime assistant

Olivia's favourite foods are: Pasta/Watermelon Mara Nickname: Liv Hobbies: Going to the gym and doing colouring Future aspirations: To work in a SEN school Facts: I love reading Favourite part since joining Mara: Seeing the children learn and reach their milestones

Hi everyone! I am Milena. I am a Level 3 apprentice. I first started working with children as a football coach, I supported children with SEN and taught 4-5’s football. It has always been my passion to support children with SEN! I love spending time with my family and friends and I love baking!

Spikes' favourite foods are: Mango Mara Nickname: Spikey Hobbies: Enjoys Dungeons and Dragons in his spare time and hanging out with his big family with lots of younger cousins! Future aspirations: To be a primary school teacher or work in a museum (stay tuned for Museum trips with Spike!) Facts: Studied History at University and his favourite part in History is Early American Colonisation. Spike is 1 to 5 children Favourite part since joining Mara: Outdoor play and getting to know everyone!

Tianne's favourite foods are: strawberries Mara Nickname: T Hobbies: Roller-skating and reading Future aspirations: To own a G-Wagon Facts: I have 82 dreadlocks Favourite part since joining Mara: How everyone's unique personalities blend together and makes the perfect team

Hello! My name is Mariana and I am from Colombia. I can speak English, Spanish and a bit of Portuguese. I knew from an early age I wanted to work with children so I started babysitting and volunteering at a youth group every week. I just started my Early Years Educator Apprenticeship and love the idea of learning on the job. I love spending time with my family and my dog. I also love cooking and leaning new languages!

Hello, my name is Lisa. I’ve been working in education for 20 years starting from working as a teaching assistant to then completing my PGCE to become a primary school teacher. I’ve taught in every year from nursery to year 6, but particularly enjoy watching children make those early steps in reading and writing! In my spare time I love to read, shop and travel. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family. I come from a big Italian family so there’s always a big occasion to go to involving lots of lovely food!

Favourite foods are: Passion Fruit Mara Nickname: Pri Hobbies: Listening to Music Future aspirations: To be like Jerleen Facts: I can play 3 instruments - guitar, piano and trumpet Favourite thing since joining Mara: Having an opportunity to work with different people

Favourite foods are: Strawberries Mara Nickname: Cyn Hobbies: Meeting with friends/working out Future aspirations: Child therapy Facts: I am 5"10 Favourite thing since joining Mara: Having similar aged colleagues

Favourite food: Bacon and cabbage Mara nickname: Annie Hobbies: Listening to Music Future aspirations: To become a Social Worker Facts: I am Irish Favourite thing since joining Mara: Supportive and Warm welcome

Favourite food: Pasta/Watermelon Mara Nickname: Dona Hobbies: Swimming and going out with friends/family Future Aspirations: Becoming a Mum Facts: I have been married for 7 years Favourite thing since joining Mara: The bonds that I have built with the children