EDG Nursery

Özlem is currently on maternity leave and is expected to return in May 2026. During her absence, the nursery continues to be led by the experienced management team, working closely with the directors to ensure continuity, consistency, and the high standards families expect from EDG Nursery.

Merhaba (hello in Turkish), my name is Özlem Ocak. I joined EDG Nursery in September 2016 as an Early Years Educator and have since progressed through a range of roles within the early years sector.

After graduating from the University of Greenwich, I discovered my passion for early years practice while working in a nursery setting and have remained committed to the sector ever since. My experience includes working as a classroom educator, Room Leader, Floor Manager, and Nursery Assistant/Deputy Manager.

I am also the Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo) for the setting, supporting children, educators, and families through close partnership working and liaison with external professionals.

A study visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 2019 greatly influenced my practice and strengthened my belief in child-led learning and the importance of supervised risk-taking. I focus on developing skills rather than directing how children should play, valuing the learning that naturally emerges through exploration and curiosity.

I believe children thrive when they are given the space to try, build confidence, and learn through the process, not just the outcome. At EDG, we work together as a community to Educate, Develop, and Grow.

My name is Andrea, and I am the Third in Charge, Floor Manager, and SENDCo at EDG Nursery.

In my role, I support the day-to-day running of the nursery floor, working closely with our Room Leaders to ensure high-quality practice, consistency, and strong teamwork across all rooms. I also lead on SEND provision, supporting children with additional needs and working in partnership with families and external professionals to ensure inclusive, tailored support for every child.

I am passionate about creating a nurturing and structured environment where children feel safe, supported, and able to reach their full potential. I take pride in supporting both staff and children, ensuring our provision remains inclusive, reflective, and responsive to individual needs.

My name is Shonelle, and I am the Interim Nursery Manager at EDG Nursery. I bring a wealth of experience in early years leadership and am passionate about delivering high-quality care and education for all children.

In my role, I work closely with the leadership team and educators to ensure the nursery runs smoothly and that children receive a nurturing, engaging, and well-structured learning experience. I am committed to maintaining strong partnerships with families and supporting staff to provide the highest standards of practice.

I believe that children thrive in environments where they feel safe, valued, and inspired, and I am proud to support the EDG team in continuing to build a positive and inclusive nursery community.

I am the Quality and Compliance Manager at EDG Nursery.

I bring over 20 years of experience in the early years sector, early years inspections, senior leadership, consultancy, and training. My work focuses on safeguarding, SEND, inclusion, staff development, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and best practice.

I hold a Level 7 Master’s degree in Early Years, alongside a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. I am also a qualified SENDCo, Level 6 Sleep Practitioner and Early Years Consultant, enabling me to support both children and families with a holistic, evidence-informed approach.

At EDG, I work in close partnership with the directors, leadership team, educators, and families to ensure practice remains reflective, inclusive, and responsive with children’s wellbeing, development, and rights at the heart of everything we do.