Growing Up Green

I have been the co-owner of Growing Up Green Nurseries since we opened our first setting in 2005, following the birth of my first child.

I began my pathway into education and childcare when I started my teaching degree at the University of Brighton. After spending time travelling and teaching abroad, I returned to work in London as a primary school teacher, where I took on subject leadership in the Early Years with specialisms in Literacy and the Arts.

Moving back to Brighton in 2000 with a wealth of experience from working in a challenging inner-city school, I took on a senior management role within the largest first and middle school in Sussex, leading the Early Years team and lower school. I progressed to a deputy headteacher role and coordinated the SEND and Inclusion provision.

Stepping away from mainstream teaching and leadership to create an independent nursery environment at Growing Up Green has been an incredibly fulfilling endeavour. It enabled me to put my years of early years and management experience into something that I felt truly passionate about. This led to creating an enriching learning environment, developing a child-led curriculum, inspiring staff to look for awe and wonder and building a strong, nurturing community for our children, parents and staff.

I have been the co-owner of Growing Up Green Nurseries since we opened our doors in 2005.

Childcare has always been a central part of my life- I grew up living above a nursery owned by my family, which gave me a real love and understanding of Early Years from a very young age. That early experience stayed with me and shaped the path I have followed ever since.

On returning to the UK, I opened my first nursery in Cambridgeshire before relocating to Brighton in 2004 to start my family and pursue my vision of opening a nursery in the area.

Founding Growing Up Green has allowed me to combine my personal experience, professional training and passion for creating nurturing, enriching environments where children can truly thrive. It has been a real privilege to create a space where children feel safe, happy and inspired to learn every day.

I am the current Deputy Manager of Growing Up Green Nursery.

I have a range of experiences working with children in nurseries, schools and home settings. I am a qualified primary school teacher. During my experiences teaching, I specialised in the Early Years and worked in a nursery as a preschool teacher for 3.5 years. Through this, I found my love for the early years and pursued this passion by gaining my Master's degree in Early Years Education.

I am incredibly passionate about the early years, supporting children to grow and thrive in a nurturing and caring environment. I believe in a holistic and child-centred approach where all children’s needs are considered and valued.

I am the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) of the nursery, and I am experienced in supporting children with a wide range of special educational needs.