Hilltop Nursery

I’ve been working within our nurseries since 1993, and I am the Head of Trust Nurseries across all three of our wonderful SCFT sites.

My early years journey began with an NNEB qualification in 1986, and more recently, I completed my PTLLS training in 2019. I absolutely loved this course; it gave me a massive passion for mentoring and supporting the brilliant apprentices across our teams, helping them grow into confident early years professionals.

I am the finance manager of all 3 of the SCFT Nurseries.

Therefore, I am the Safeguarding & Prevent Lead for all the nurseries.

I have a NAMCW (National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare), a BA (Hons) in Sociology and Social Policy, and a PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector), so I have a huge input to the education of all the apprentices.

I have been a dedicated member of the nursery team since 2006 and am proud to serve as the Trust Nurseries Operational Lead.

In this role, I oversee operations across all three of our Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) nurseries. Over the past two decades, I have loved watching our settings grow, and I remain incredibly passionate about leading our wonderful teams to deliver the highest standard of care and early education for our families.

I have had the privilege of being the Nursery Manager here since 2025, bringing with me a deep foundation in early years care from my time at Butterfly Nursery, where I worked from 2013.

I absolutely love my role as manager. It is incredibly rewarding to lead such a dedicated team, support our wonderful families, and ensure our nursery is a safe, joyful, and thriving place for children to learn and grow.

I am the Deputy Nursery Manager at Hilltop Nursery, where I also work directly in our preschool room. I am Level 3 qualified in childcare, and my previous experience working at a Montessori nursery has given me invaluable skills in helping children grow and develop.

I am incredibly passionate about using that foundation to foster early independence, helping our pre-schoolers build confidence as they prepare for their next big chapter at school.

I have been a proud member of the nursery team since 2012, having first fallen in love with the setting during my student work experience. After qualifying with a BTEC National Diploma Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development from Varndean College, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to build my career.

I am currently based in the 2-year-old room, and I absolutely love supporting the children during this crucial stage of rapid growth and discovery. Together, we dive into plenty of fun, exciting activities designed to boost their development, help them build their very first friendships, and gently encourage their growing independence.

After 36 successful years as a qualified hairdresser, I decided to follow my heart and transition into early years education—and it is truly the best decision I have ever made! My journey with the nurseries began in 2018, during which time I proudly completed both my Level 2 and Level 3 CACHE Diplomas for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Early Learning and Childcare) right here with SCFT nurseries.

I am absolutely delighted to be based in the baby room. We ensure every single day is packed with fun, laughter, and nurturing experiences, and I love nothing more than watching our littlest learners grow and thrive.

I have been part of the team at Hilltop Nursery since 2024. During my time here, I proudly completed my Level 3 childcare qualification, and I am currently based in the preschool room.

I absolutely love working with this age group, and one of my favourite things to do is dive into imaginative play with the children—it is such a wonderful way to spark their creativity, build confidence, and watch their personalities grow.

I have been part of the team at Hilltop Nursery since returning from my maternity leave, and I am enjoying it greatly

I work part-time in our wonderful baby room, which I absolutely love. Being a parent myself gives me a wonderful connection to our families, and I find it so incredibly rewarding to provide a nurturing, cosy, and fun environment where our littlest ones can thrive and grow.