Primrose Schools® Franchise Owners Amy James and Susan Davis both started out as Infant Teachers in the early 2000s.
Both applied to the same Primrose school and became co-teachers and friends.
They never looked back.
“After I got out of college, I was very young and I thought, ‘What would be the most fun job you could get that has nothing to do with anything you’ve ever done before?’” Amy says of her decision to apply to a Primrose school. “I just fell in love with it. It was the most fun I ever had.”
Susan, too, says she found her calling in early childhood education.
“There’s so many lightbulb moments, and there’s so much growth that you see in these little people as they’re learning,” she says.
The pair found every reason to flourish: The Balanced Learning® approach meant that Amy and Susan received prepared lesson plans created by early childhood education experts.
As their confidence grew — fueled by their love for the job and fostered by the immense support system of the Primrose Schools community — the pair would go on to open Primrose School of Brentwood and Primrose School of Nashville Midtown in Tennessee.
Can you talk a little bit about your journey?
Amy: “When I started at Primrose, I had a photography and graphic design background. I applied to work at a Primrose and got the job as an Infant Teacher.
“I just fell in love with it. It was the most fun I ever had. I met all of my best friends there. I met Susan in that job. We taught in an infant classroom together.
“After a few years, we decided that we should open a business. What should we open? We came up with a million different silly ideas.
“Then one day, my dad said, ‘You already love the thing you’re doing. Why don’t you just do that? Why don’t you open a Primrose?’ And it was like ‘lightbulb.’”
What advice would you give to new teachers at Primrose Schools to get the most out of their experience?
Susan: “To have fun, be silly.
“The only people in the classroom are the kids, and you’re their star. So just have fun and be the best that you can be. We’re here to support you in any way that we can to help make you a better person.”
Amy: “On their first day, I tell teachers to feel the love.
“Feel love from the teachers. Feel love for the children. Feel love from the parents. To me, that’s the most important thing. Just feel the love.”
What excites you most about being a part of this world every day?
Susan: “Watching the kids run into the school, running up to their teachers and giving them a big hug.
“They are just so excited about what they’re going to do for the day.”
Amy: “For me, it’s the opportunity that it gives us to help in the community.
“We have 80 women that work for us. We have 500 families and that gives us a lot of ability to help.
“Every year, we do a service project in July and an angel tree in December. And when we ask the families or the teachers for help with those projects, we are flooded with help.
“It gives you such a wonderful feeling of all the kindness in the world, and we get to be a part of it because of Primrose.”
What sets working at a Primrose school apart?
Amy: “At Primrose schools, you will have a family.
“We will give you everything that you need to be successful and more … We’ll be your community.
“Primrose Schools National Support Center will set you up to succeed. But your specific Primrose school will become your community. And it’s a great thing to be a part of.
Susan Davis has been a part of the Primrose Schools® community for 19 years. Amy James is just shy of Davis’ seniority, with 17 years as a part of the Primrose Schools family. Together, they own and operate the Primrose School of Brentwood and the Primrose School of Nashville Midtown in Tennessee.