Little Bears Day-Care - Thames Ditton

My name is Nina Farzaneh, and I am the nursery manager for Little Bears Nursery at Whitely Village. I have built up considerable experience in the day-to-day operations and management of both new and established nurseries, having worked with children for 15 years, and my role over the last ten years has been as a key decision maker and member of senior management. I am also a parent, so I fully understand the importance of choosing the right nursery with the right staff team. We also recognise the importance of our partnership with the parents and children in achieving the best results.

My qualifications include a level 5 diploma in Early Years and Childcare as well as a degree in English studies. I have been fortunate to have spent the last 15 years working in a variety of settings with different Early Years philosophies and teaching approaches, different people, cultures and management styles.

This invaluable knowledge and experience have helped to shape the Little Bear’s methodology:
•   At Little Bear’s, my team and I will create a loving, nurturing and safe environment;
•   At Little Bear’s, we create experiences and memories for your children.
•   At Little Bear’s, children will be encouraged to develop so that they flourish and achieve their potential.

We are extremely passionate about Little Bears and therefore have invested in a staff team that is fully qualified. This ensures that our setting meets all the Early Years requirements at all times and provides high-quality care to children and their families.

We hope that we can demonstrate our vision and approach to childcare by welcoming you to our nursery.

With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Sarah joins Little Bears as a highly skilled and dedicated Nursery Manager committed to creating safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environments for young children. Fully qualified in childcare and early years leadership, Sarah combines extensive practical knowledge with a genuine passion for supporting children’s development during their most formative years.

Throughout a long and successful career, Sarah has developed strong expertise in curriculum planning, safeguarding, team leadership, and partnership with parents, ensuring the highest standards of care and education are consistently delivered. Known for a warm, approachable leadership style, Sarah is committed to mentoring staff, fostering positive relationships, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to have Lisa as our Level 3 qualified Assistant Manager at Little Bears. She brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience to her daily practice, making her a highly valued member of our team. Lisa’s dedication to providing the highest quality care and education ensures that both children and staff are supported, inspired, and motivated to achieve their best.

Lisa plans and delivers a wide variety of stimulating learning and play opportunities that are carefully tailored to the children’s interests, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Her innovative approach to activities and projects ensures that every child is engaged and excited to learn.

In addition to her work with children, Lisa is a supportive mentor to her colleagues, sharing her knowledge and expertise to help develop skills across the team. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and passion for early years education make her an invaluable asset to Little Bears. Lisa’s commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and inspiring environment ensures that every child in our care has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Mushiirah joined Little Bears in 2024 and has been an integral part of the team ever since. Bringing patience and kindness, she is committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where young children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

In her time at Little Bears, Mushiirah has loved watching the children grow, learn, and thrive—celebrating every milestone whilst at the same time ensuring that early years education is not only about teaching but also about listening and building strong relationships with both children and families.

Grateful for the journey so far, Mushiirah looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact and growing alongside the children in her care.

Sue has over 20 years of experience in childcare, beginning as an unqualified assistant in a Reception Class and progressing through a variety of roles in day nurseries, school nurseries, and as a nanny. Along the way, she achieved her Level 3 qualification and worked her way up to Deputy Manager.

Sue’s experience, both professionally and as a mum of two, has given her a deep understanding of how children develop and thrive. Sue is passionate about supporting children as they grow in independence and confidence, and finds it incredibly rewarding to help nurture their early learning journey.

Outside of work, Sue enjoys spending time with her family, reading, dancing, and practising yoga.

We are delighted to have Clare as our nursery chef at Little Bears. She brings many years of experience preparing healthy, balanced meals for children of all ages. Clare is passionate about encouraging children to make positive food choices and loves seeing them gain confidence as they explore new flavours and develop a love for nutritious eating.

She takes great pride in creating thoughtfully planned menus that provide our Little Bears with the energy they need for a busy day full of learning, play, and exploration. Clare’s creativity, dedication, and warm personality help make mealtimes both enjoyable and educational, supporting children to build healthy habits from an early age. Her contribution to the team ensures that every child feels nourished, cared for, and inspired to try something new.

Eva joins Little Bears as a qualified Early Years Practitioner with a warm, bubbly personality and a natural passion for supporting young children’s development. Known for being outgoing, energetic, and approachable, Eva creates nurturing, stimulating environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

With a strong understanding of early childhood development and the Early Years Foundation Stage, Eva plans engaging, play-based activities that promote curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Eva's positive attitude and excellent communication skills help build strong relationships with children, parents, and colleagues alike.

Dedicated, reliable, and full of enthusiasm, Eva brings joy and motivation, always striving to make a meaningful difference in children’s early learning journeys.