YMCA Nursery Fairthorne Manor

Leanne is a passionate and dedicated Nursery Manager who is committed to giving every child the very best start in life. She believes the early years are the most important stage of development and finds real joy in supporting children as they grow in confidence, curiosity and independence. Leanne creates a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels valued and understood, working closely with families to ensure each child’s individual needs are met.

Outside of the nursery, Leanne enjoys spending time with her family and bringing creativity into everything she does. She is always full of ideas, constantly finding new ways to make experiences more engaging, meaningful and memorable for children and families alike.

Rebekha is an experienced SENCO and our Deputy Manager who plays a central role in supporting both children and staff across the nursery. She is passionate about inclusive practice and works closely with families and professionals to ensure every child’s individual needs are understood and met. Rebekha takes pride in creating a nurturing, supportive environment where children feel confident, valued and able to thrive. In her leadership role, she also supports the wider team, sharing her knowledge and experience to maintain high standards of care and education. She finds it incredibly rewarding to see children grow in confidence and achieve their full potential.

Sarah has been part of the Fairthorne Manor nursery community for an incredible 26 years, bringing a wealth of experience, consistency and care to everything she does. She finds real joy in seeing children grow up and develop over time, and it’s especially meaningful to still be in touch with some of the families she has supported over the years. Sarah creates warm, lasting connections and takes pride in being part of so many early journeys. Outside of work, she loves spending time in the South of France and has a well-known passion for shoes and handbags—adding a touch of personality to everything she does.

Lauren is our part-time Administrator who plays an important role in supporting the smooth running of our nurseries, working closely with Michaela across a range of projects and day-to-day operations. She enjoys being part of the wider team and loves seeing the impact of the work—especially watching children grow, develop and become their own little people.

At home, Lauren’s life is full and lively with her three boys, and she embraces the busy, energetic family life that comes with it. In her spare time, she enjoys going out for dinner and catching up with friends. Her warmth, energy and love of people shine through in everything she does.

Michaela is our Nursery Administrator who job shares the role with Lauren, working closely together to keep everything running smoothly across the nurseries. She plays an important role in supporting families and staff, ensuring communication, bookings and day-to-day organisation are handled efficiently and with care. Michaela genuinely enjoys being part of the nursery environment and loves seeing children grow in confidence and develop into their own unique personalities.

As a parent herself, Michaela brings real understanding to her role. Her own little girl attends the nursery and absolutely loves it, giving Michaela a firsthand perspective on the experience families receive every day.

Nish is our Forest School Manager, bringing a genuine passion for early years and outdoor learning to everything she does. She believes these first experiences shape a child’s lifelong relationship with learning and the world around them, and is dedicated to creating environments where children feel safe, valued and inspired. Through nature-based play, Nish nurtures curiosity, confidence and independence in every child.

Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors, enjoying wild swimming, hiking and paddleboarding. Creative by nature, Nish also enjoys pyrography (the art of decorating wood, leather, or other materials), journaling and imaginative storytelling, often drawing inspiration from the natural world she is so passionate about.