Shooting Stars Nurseries at Bromsgrove

Sam joined Shooting Stars Bromsgrove as Nursery Manager in June 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience in Early Years leadership and a strong specialism in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) support. With many years of hands-on and strategic experience in the sector, Sam is passionate about inclusive education and ensuring that every child receives the care, attention, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Her vision for the nursery is rooted in collaboration, empowerment, and continuous improvement. Sam is dedicated to supporting the team in achieving even better outcomes for the children and families who attend Shooting Stars. She believes in nurturing individual strengths, encouraging innovation, and building confidence across the staff team to deliver a rich and engaging curriculum.

Sam’s leadership style is warm, approachable, and focused on developing a strong, reflective culture within the nursery. She is committed to creating an environment where children feel safe, inspired, and excited to learn, and where staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to grow professionally.

With her deep understanding of SEND and inclusive practice, Sam ensures that the nursery is a place where every child’s unique needs are recognised and celebrated. She works closely with families and professionals to provide tailored support and build strong partnerships that benefit each child’s development.

Sam writes a blog and has featured in early years sector publications to share her skills, knowledge and experience of creating an outstanding inclusive early years provision.

Tracy joined Shooting Stars Nurseries in 2011, at a time when the group had just one nursery setting. She was originally appointed as Deputy Manager at the Stourbridge nursery before stepping into the role of Nursery Manager in 2013. In 2015, she progressed into her current role as Area Manager, bringing with her a wealth of experience from a career in Early Years that spans over 28 years.

Before joining Shooting Stars, Tracy worked across a variety of practitioner, leadership, and senior leadership roles within day nursery settings. Her career also includes time spent as part of a specialist support team working with children who had experienced spinal cord injuries, and she began her journey in childcare as a nanny. Her long-standing commitment to Shooting Stars has made the organisation feel like an extension of herself—she often says it’s as much a part of her as she is of it.

Tracy is deeply passionate about creating magical childhoods that nurture curiosity, excitement, and strong foundations for lifelong success. She has a particular interest in emotional well-being, believing that secure, emotionally enabling environments are essential for children to thrive truly. After many years of hands-on practice, she now channels her passion into supporting teams across the nurseries, helping embed this ethos into the culture of every setting.

Her leadership is rooted in empathy, experience, and a genuine love for early years education. Tracy continues to inspire those around her with her dedication to quality, her belief in the power of nurturing relationships, and her commitment to growing confident, capable teams.

Kully began her journey with Shooting Stars Nurseries in September 2014 as the Nursery Manager of the newly opened Wolverhampton setting. In 2022, she progressed into a strategic role, joining the Area Management Team as a Strategic Development Manager.

Her career in childcare began as a Level 2 Apprentice, followed by the completion of her Level 3 qualification. Since 2004, Kully has held a variety of leadership roles, including Room Leader in both Pre-School and Under 2’s, Deputy Manager, and Nursery Manager—spending 16 of those years in management.

These experiences have shaped her deep understanding of early years education and operational leadership.

Kully is particularly passionate about the development of children under two, with a strong focus on building secure attachments and nurturing environments that support emotional well-being and early development. She also brings extensive expertise in Health & Safety, SEND, and Safeguarding, which are central to her practice and leadership.

A key focus of Kully’s role is supporting the growth of the early years workforce. She is committed to empowering staff through continuous professional development, helping them build confidence and fulfilment in their roles. Wellbeing is at the heart of her approach—she strives to foster a positive, supportive workplace for teams and a safe, inspiring space for children.

At Shooting Stars Nurseries, Kully plays a vital role in welcoming new team members through New Employee Workshops and mentoring apprentices throughout their training journey, helping shape the next generation of early years professionals.

Outside of work, Kully enjoys spending quality time with her family and attending football matches as a proud supporter of her local club. She also loves exploring new cities, dining out, and meeting new people.