Our Nursery Team

At Little Birches in Lavendon, we are fortunate to have Sita as our Nursery Manager. With over 6 years of experience in the childcare industry, Sita has excelled in providing guidance and support to both team members and the children. Her expertise and dedication are critical in leading the team to provide the highest level of care.

Sita holds a BA degree in Education and a Level-3 Early Years qualification, which is really valuable as it enables that deep understanding of early childhood development and education that is required to lead the team. As a Nursery Manager, Sita utilises her knowledge and experience to create an enriching and nurturing environment that caters to the unique needs of each child.

Sita is passionate about fostering a positive learning environment, and she takes a personalised approach to understand and appreciate the distinct personalities of the children in our care. By recognising and valuing their individuality, she ensures that every child receives tailored support and encouragement. With Sita as our Nursery Manager, we are very confident that she will create a special nursery for the community.

Emily is our Deputy Manager at Little Birches. With over 10 years of experience in early years education, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our nursery. Her genuine passion for working with children shines through in her daily interactions and the care that she provides to each child.

What Emily loves most about her work is witnessing the progress and growth of the children who she works with, seeing their personalities evolve and flourish brings her immense joy and fulfilment. Emily understands the importance of creating an environment where children feel supported and encouraged to explore their individual interests and talents. Through her dedication and nurturing approach, she plays a vital role in fostering a positive and stimulating atmosphere at Little Birches.

Emily has been an integral part of the Little Birches team for 3 years. Her experience and commitment to early years education make her a trusted leader and role model for both the children and her fellow colleagues. Emily’s deep understanding of child development and her ability to tailor her approach to meet each child’s needs ensures that every child receives the attention and guidance they require to thrive.

Maria is our dedicated and nurturing Chestnut Room Mentor. Maria’s journey in childcare began with her NNEB diploma, which equipped her with the skills and knowledge to work in various childcare settings. With extensive experience in the field of education, Maria has excelled as a nanny, worked in reception classes, and has even run private toddler groups. 

Her passion lies in witnessing children grow and flourish within a caring and enjoyable environment. Maria considers it a privilege to observe children as they learn and achieve, and she feels fortunate to be a part of their journey. As a loving mother of three, Maria brings a wealth of personal insight to her role. During her spare time, she enjoys activities like going to the gym, reading, and taking leisurely walks.

Abbie has two years of experience working in nurseries, and brings a passion for messy play and creating exciting activities that inspire children to explore their creativity and enhance their education. 

Although Abbie’s previous experience was in preschool, she loves working with all ages. Abbie’s enthusiasm and dedication make her an invaluable addition to our team, ensuring that each child’s time at Little Birches is filled with fun, growth, and educational adventures. In Abbie’s spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, and spending time with her friends, family, and puppy called Arlo.

Rachael is a dedicated and passionate professional in the field of early years education. With seven years of experience under her belt, Rachael’s journey began as an apprentice and has since progressed to her current role as the Room Mentor of the Oak Room at Little Birches. 

Rachael’s commitment to nurturing and guiding young minds is evident in her everyday work, where she creates a warm and stimulating environment for children to thrive. Her imagination knows no limits, and she adores dressing up and creating an experience for the children to learn and thrive in. Beyond her professional life, Rachael enjoys being a Girl Guider, supporting and empowering young girls in their personal development. When she’s not busy with work or guiding, Rachael likes spending quality time with her friends.

Abi is one of our dedicated nursery practitioners at Little Birches. She brings numerous years of expertise in early years education.

Abi’s passion lies in nurturing preschool children, creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment.

Beyond the nursery, she finds joy in leisurely walks with her dogs, and cherishing moments with her family.

Phoebe is a cherished member of our team and works in the Willow Room at Little Birches. Phoebe has quickly become an invaluable addition, earning the admiration of both her colleagues and the children she cares for. With a deep love for nurturing and supporting children, Phoebe creates a warm and inviting environment where every child feels safe and loved. 

Despite previously working as a confectioner, she has seamlessly transitioned into the world of Early Years and is truly flourishing in her role. When Phoebe is not dedicating her time to the children at the nursery, she enjoys taking breaks away to unwind and recharge. Phoebe is a devoted mother herself, which further enriches her understanding and care for the little ones. We are fortunate to have Phoebe as part of our team, as her passion, dedication, and nurturing spirit make a significant impact on the lives of the children we look after.

Storm is a dedicated member of our Little Birches nursery team with over 10 years of experience working with children. Storm holds a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching and her journey began in South Africa, where she taught in KS2 while providing support as an au pair and tutor. 

As a long-term supply teacher, she travelled across the UK, teaching KS1 and KS2, before joining our Chestnut room. Storm’s passion for creative arts, love for travel, and strong belief in the crucial role of the first five years of a child’s life make her an invaluable addition to our team. Storm endeavours to ensure that each child will thrive in an environment that nurtures self-expression, imagination, and a solid foundation for learning. Beyond her love for teaching, Storm has an adventurous spirit and delights in travelling to experience different cultures. She cherishes family values and actively engages in outdoor activities.

Sarah is our culinary expert at Little Birches. With a wealth of kitchen experience, Sarah creates a delightful menu of fun and nutritious recipes for our little ones to savour. 

Sarah ensures every child’s plate is full of nutrients with a touch of warmth in every dish, creating a wholesome meal time at nursery.

Beyond the kitchen, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Denise has 20 years’ experience in a multitude of educational and childcare roles. Denise holds a Bachelors’ Degree (Honours) in Early Childhood Education as well as a Foundation Degree in Early Years. Her last role was at a local nursery and infant school (rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted), where Denise worked in various management positions for six years within the Early Years part of the school.

Denise is very creative and has particular experience in sensory, nurture rooms, and forest school. Denise feels that it’s essential to create exciting routines and activities that stimulate a child’s imagination, leading to scaffolding opportunities for little ones to learn further. Denise also has exceptional child interaction skills and has achieved notable success with children with learning and emotional difficulties, immersing them in an engaging and fulfilling learning journey.

She also has extensive experience supporting children with visual and hearing impairment and those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder and Pathological Demand Avoidance. Denise also has a British Sign Language Level-1 qualification.