The First Chapter

The Nest Nurtures St. Mary's Youngest Learners

In the Nest, the story of our youngest learners is just hatching. This nurturing space offers faculty and staff a nursery where the earliest seeds of growth take root. 

From the very start, St. Mary’s lays a strong foundation to support every stage of our Turkeys’ journey. As Director of the Nest, one of Bri Morrow’s greatest joys is seeing that foundation come to life as young minds explore, imagine, and uncover new possibilities.

“It has been such a joy to watch their little personalities shine and to play a role in ensuring they feel safe, loved, and well cared for each day,” Mrs. Morrow said.

Designed to benefit faculty and staff, The Nest provides a caring and nurturing environment for girls and boys from six weeks to two years old. St. Mary’s created this program to support its dedicated educators and staff members,  recognizing how difficult it can be to find high-quality infant care.

Middle School Counselor Andrea Peredo is grateful to have such a caring space for her daughter, Olive.

“It is challenging to find such high-quality child care, and I am incredibly appreciative to St. Mary’s for the Nest,” Mrs. Peredo said. “Knowing that my daughter will be the recipient of such an amazing education from the best teachers in Memphis warms my heart.”

The Nest was designed with intention, as every detail nurtures both comfort and wonder. From the colorful spaces perfect for play to the windows as bright as their imaginations, the Nest is a place for exploration.

Along with remarkable spaces, our Nest Teachers, Kasey Adams, Theo Aguilar, Allison Brown Coates ’76, Lauren Nott, and Markesh Young, create lessons that support these Turkeys in their formative years.

“Our teachers design age-appropriate lessons that emphasize connection and communication, movement and growth, as well as play and exploration, helping our children learn, grow, and thrive from the very beginning,” Mrs. Morrow said.

St. Mary’s Strength and Conditioning Specialist Claire Betti found the Nest to be the perfect place for her son Jack to excel. 

“These early years are some of the most important for development, both physically and emotionally, and the Nest is equipped with a great staff to foster learning and encourage milestones,” Mrs. Betti said.

As our newest Turkeys play all day in one of our oldest buildings, they truly embody the spirit of championing our strengths and embracing new possibilities.

We’ve continued to refine our strengths,” said Christina Block, Head of Early Childhood. “We’ve always excelled at educating girls and knowing how to build that foundation, but we’ve gotten better at supporting changes with what we’re offering families.

Mrs. Peredo has been more than impressed with the developmental progress Olive has made in the Nest.

“She is already engaging in activities that encourage curiosity, help build fine motor skills, and enhance communication,” she said. “I love that the programming is intentional to help our daughter explore new skills and activities while having fun and learning how to play with friends.”

By fostering friendship and community in the Nest, we carry forward the values that have shaped Moss Hall from its earliest days.

“Having the Nest in Moss Hall, our oldest and most treasured building, allows us to continue building on the legacy of St. Mary’s in a meaningful way,” Mrs. Morrow said. “It’s a privilege to nurture our youngest Turkeys in such a special space while also supporting our faculty, staff, and broader St. Mary’s community with quality care for their little ones.”

“It is challenging to find such high-quality child care, and I am incredibly appreciative to St. Mary’s for the Nest.”

– Andrea Peredo, Middle School Counselor