Inside the Nest: An Interview with Nicole Bailey

Welcome back to Inside the Nest – our LinkedIn article series that offers a closer look into the journeys of Nido employees.

Through these interviews, we’ll share personal stories, insights, and experiences from our team members as they reflect on their path in early childhood education and their time with Nido.

We’re excited to introduce Nicole Bailey, Curriculum Leader at Nido Early School Cumberland Park in South Australia.

Interview with Nicole Bailey

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into early childhood education? What inspired you to pursue this path?

I’ve always had a desire to connect with and build relationships with younger children, even from a young age. When I was 12, I loved reading stories to my friends’ younger siblings, and that really sparked my interest in helping children grow and learn. Watching my mum work as a primary school teacher also had a big influence on me. I would often go with her to help out in the classroom, and seeing her passion for teaching really inspired me to develop my own. That’s where my journey into early childhood education stemmed from.

How did you come to work at Nido, and what drew you to this early education provider?

I’ve worked in the early childhood sector for over 20 years now, and I’ve been with Nido for the past 3. What really drew me to Nido was their strong vision for delivering quality education and creating inspiring environments for children. Seeing their passion, especially their commitment to the Reggio Emilia approach and the way they embrace it, really stood out to me. What also resonated deeply was the way Nido values its educators, and that ultimately played a big role in my decision to join.

What do you love most about working with young children?

Oh, so many things! I love seeing children grow and learn, and I love knowing that I’m able to make an impact in their lives. We’re often that place of connection and belonging for them, and being able to provide an environment where they feel safe, secure, and free to learn is incredibly rewarding. Watching their growth over the years they’re with us – from birth to five – is what inspires me to keep offering the highest quality care every day.

What’s something that continues to inspire or motivate you in your role?

What inspires me to continue in my role as a Curriculum Leader is the opportunity to mentor the next generation of educators coming into the sector. I think we’ve lost many experienced educators over the years who held so much knowledge and understanding around how to truly connect with and teach children. With the experience I’ve gained, I feel a strong drive to share that with others, to help shape and support the upcoming generation, and to continue building both the sector and a strong sense of professionalism within it.

Is there a particular age group or area of the new Nido Curriculum that you feel most passionate about?

I feel really passionate about literacy and numeracy within the Nido Curriculum. Studying my degree now has really helped me see the importance of embedding these skills within a play-based context. Literacy and numeracy are invaluable as children transition into school, and it’s so important they develop these foundations while still being recognised as capable and competent learners.

How has your time at Nido helped you grow personally or professionally?

I think the support from the leadership triangle at Nido has been invaluable in helping me grow. It’s really helped build my confidence and has given me the opportunity to collaborate with so many different leaders across Nido. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and being able to network and maintain those connections has allowed me to grow professionally and continue building my knowledge and skills in what I do.

How do you build strong relationships with children and their families?

Building relationships with children and their families is such a vital part of my role – it’s truly one of the most important aspects. For me, it all comes down to connecting in a really authentic way. Taking the time to get to know each family and their child, understanding their interests, and recognising what makes them feel special and valued is key. Creating welcoming, home-like environments also helps build those connections and allows those relationships to grow in a meaningful and genuine way.

Can you share a project or experience that really brought your learning community together?

When I was at Nido Paradise, I worked alongside Leanne, our ESM, to develop a farm playgroup, which turned out to be such an amazing experience. It was an ongoing playgroup that we ran for about 12 months, where different animals would visit the service. It really helped connect the wider community with the children in our service and strengthened those relationships. At the time, we viewed animals as our fourth teacher, and it gave the children a meaningful way to develop empathy and respect – not just for animals, but for their environment.

What are your goals or hopes for your future in early childhood education?

Firstly, my goal is to finish my degree. From there, I’d really love to step into a mentor role. I’m incredibly passionate about building quality services and ensuring children receive high-quality education, so supporting other services to create those environments is something I’d love to focus on in the future.

Thank you for reading this interview. Stay tuned for more Inside the Nest interviews coming soon.