From West End dreams to the top of the class
Throughout secondary school, Lauren was heavily involved in musical theatre, dreaming of one day performing on a West End stage. While her love for amateur dramatics remains a big part of her life today, her professional journey took a completely different, equally rewarding spotlight.
At 18, Lauren began working in children’s day nurseries, discovering a natural knack for supporting early development. Yet, the path to her true passion wasn't entirely a straight line. At 21, she enrolled at university to study Paramedic Science. While the course was fascinating, a year in, she realised her heart belonged elsewhere.
"Having continued to work in nurseries alongside my studies, I recognised that my real passion had always been working with children," Lauren recalls. "I transferred onto the BA Honours Primary Education with QTS course at the University of Staffordshire and immediately knew I had found the right path."
Finding her spotlight in the classroom
While the classroom structure was a perfect fit, it was a hands-on second-year school placement in a mixed Year 3/4 class that truly cemented her confidence.
"I was fortunate to have an incredible mentor who challenged and supported me throughout the placement," she says. "Although I had enjoyed the course from the beginning, this placement was where I truly found my groove. It was the first time I felt completely comfortable leading a class, building relationships with pupils, and seeing the impact I could have on their learning."
That turning point set off a chain reaction of success. Trusting her instincts and leveraging the dual power of her university placements and prior early-years' experience, Lauren achieved a massive milestone: securing a Year 4 teaching position before she had even completed her final year of university.
Graduating in 2024 from the Stoke campus, she stepped straight into the workforce, quickly taking on leadership responsibilities for history and geography.
Becoming the boss at 26
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and an unwavering dedication to early education, Lauren didn't stop at the classroom. She recently combined her pedagogical expertise with her business ambitions by purchasing her very own childcare setting: Smarty Pants Day Nursery Lye.
Becoming a business owner at just 26 years old meant stepping far outside her comfort zone - navigating finance, managing recruitment, and tackling strategic planning. Today, the nursery cares for up to 32 children aged between 2 and 4 each day.
"A typical day is a mix of educational oversight and business management," Lauren explains. "I spend time managing staff, working closely with families, and ensuring regulatory compliance, while also handling marketing and budgeting. One of the most rewarding aspects is seeing children develop confidence and a love of learning in an environment I helped create."
Whether she is coordinating a team of early years practitioners, reassuring parents, or balancing the books, Lauren credits her ability to manage multiple high-stakes roles to the time-management and relationship-building skills she forged during her studies.
Proud to be Staffordshire
Looking back, transferring to Staffordshire was the catalyst for everything Lauren has achieved. The supportive environment and heavy emphasis on real-world experience gave her the resilience needed to leap from graduate teacher to CEO.
"University of Staffordshire gave me the confidence to pursue a career that I genuinely enjoyed," she says. "The practical experience, approachable staff, and focus on employability helped me secure a role before graduating and gave me the confidence to progress into leadership and business ownership."
For current students navigating their own journeys, Lauren’s advice is simple: don't panic if the script changes.
"Don’t worry if your career path doesn’t follow a straight line. I worked in childcare, studied paramedic science, and explored different options before finding my fit. Every experience teaches you something valuable and ultimately leads you to where you are meant to be."
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