Meet The Manager: Jade From Fennies Purley Christchurch Road

We caught up with Jade, our amazing Nursery Manager at Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road, who brings over 12 years of Early Years experience to the setting. Having started her career as an apprentice and working her way up to become a Level 5 qualified Early Years Lead Practitioner, she shares her passion for supporting families, building strong teams and creating a home-from-home environment for children.

In this blog, Jade shows us what makes our Christchurch Road setting such a unique and welcoming nursery. From her love of building relationships to upcoming events, find out what drives her to be the best and why she’s so excited about the future.

• Inspiring the Local Community
• Parent Partnerships
• Early Years Curriculum 
• Team Upskilling and Atmosphere
• Childcare Passions
• Upcoming Events

Join Us at Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road

At Fennies Purley on Christchurch Road, Jade, the passionate manager, leads a dedicated team who are committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. With over 12 years of experience in the Early Years sector, Jade has a deep understanding of child development and a love for helping children achieve their milestones. Whether you are a parent seeking a place for your child or a professional looking to join a supportive team, Fennies Purley offers a welcoming environment for everyone.

What’s a fun fact about you?

For 16 years, I proudly served as a member of St. John's Ambulance, dedicating my time to providing care and support at prestigious events such as the Queen's Pageant and London's Marathons. Alongside this, I spent 16 years with Stagecoach, where I developed confidence and honed my performance skills, even having the incredible opportunity to perform in front of the Queen herself. These experiences taught me the importance of helping others and gave me the chance to build valuable skills that I continue to use today in my role at Fennies Purley.

What helps you stay connected with your communities?

Staying connected with both the local community and our nursery team is one of my top priorities. I believe in leading by example and being an active role model for both the children and my team. It’s important to me that I create an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. As part of this, we make sure to stay involved in our local community by arranging outings, attending local events and building strong partnerships with parents. Whether it’s through attending open evenings or encouraging parents to join us for community events, our goal is to foster relationships that benefit both our children and their families, helping them feel part of a wider community.

What’s something you have loved about your Early Years career so far?

Throughout my career, one of the most fulfilling aspects has been the opportunity to attend various training courses and acquire specialised childcare qualifications. Gaining this knowledge and putting it into practice has been incredibly rewarding. Every qualification I have earned has allowed me to provide better care, ensure stronger outcomes for the children and support my team in doing the same. It’s also been wonderful to witness the children’s growth, as I get to see them reach important milestones and transition into confident preschoolers ready for school.

What’s your ambition to help improve the Early Years sector?

My ultimate ambition is to continue supporting and nurturing the talented team at Fennies Purley so we can consistently deliver outstanding care and education to the children. I am passionate about empowering my team to build on their skills, always encouraging professional development, and ensuring we’re up to date with the latest in Early Years education. I believe that if we as educators are supported, then the children will benefit immensely from the environment we create together. At the heart of this ambition is a dedication to making a positive impact on the Early Years sector as a whole, by ensuring the care and education we provide is second to none.

How do you create Parent Partnerships at Fennies Purley?

Creating strong, effective partnerships with parents is key to supporting the children’s development. At Fennies Purley, we keep communication open and ongoing by utilising various tools like the Famly app, which allows us to share important updates with parents and engage them in their child’s learning journey. We also make time to meet with parents directly, whether that be through casual check-ins or arranging coffee mornings. Both of these offer a relaxed setting to meet the team, ask questions and share feedback. These opportunities help build trust and a sense of community, ensuring parents feel included and part of their child’s growth at the nursery.

What’s one impact you like to make on the team atmosphere?

I strive to create a team atmosphere that is positive, welcoming and nurturing, where every team member feels supported and motivated to give their best. As a leader, I make sure the team is encouraged to communicate openly, collaborate effectively and continually grow in their roles. I’ve always believed that the atmosphere in which we work directly impacts how the children we care for feel and develop. By cultivating a supportive environment for the team, we can create an environment that fosters creativity, learning and wellbeing for everyone, from the team to children.

What’s one way you help to upskill your team?

I believe in creating a continuous learning culture within the team, which is why I focus on regular, informal learning opportunities. One of the ways I upskill my team is by asking them reflective questions that challenge their understanding of Early Years practices, safeguarding procedures and the EYFS framework. These "10-second questions" are designed to be quick but impactful, and once they answer, they get a sweet treat for their efforts. This helps keep everyone’s knowledge fresh while making learning fun and engaging. I also encourage them to attend training and professional development sessions so they can continue to grow in their roles and expand their expertise.

Why did you choose to work in Early Years education?

My decision to work in Early Years education stemmed from a variety of experiences I had before I entered the field. Having worked in both the West End and at an NHS hospital, I initially wanted to become a paramedic. However, during these roles, I discovered how fulfilling it is to help people at an early stage in life, especially during such formative years. I realised that by creating a nurturing and educational environment from the beginning, I could make a profound and lasting impact. Becoming a manager at Fennies Purley allows me to create a positive, inclusive environment where both the children and the team feel supported and encouraged to thrive.

What passions do you have within the Early Years curriculum?

One of my greatest passions in Early Years education is understanding how children think, learn and explore the world around them. I’m especially interested in how children’s creativity and imagination develop as they grow. I’ve recently completed my Level 5 qualification, which has deepened my knowledge of attachment theory. I now have a greater understanding of how important it is to build strong emotional attachments with the children, as these relationships are foundational to their overall development. By creating a secure and emotionally rich environment, we can better support children in exploring their world and reaching their full potential.

What would you like to achieve in the next six months?

In the next six months, my focus will be on continuing to build a safe and nurturing environment for the children and the team. I plan to work closely with families to strengthen those relationships, ensuring the nursery becomes a true extension of the community. We’re focusing on creating systems that make our nursery even more organised and efficient, everything has a list and a label! Additionally, I’m committed to providing ongoing guidance and support to my team, helping them to grow both professionally and personally.

What’s your favourite thing about coming to work?

The best part of coming to work each day is seeing the children’s smiles and knowing that I’m part of their growth and development. No matter how busy the day gets, those moments of connection with the children and the team always remind me of why I do what I do. It’s the little things, asking how someone’s weekend was or seeing a child reach a milestone, that make the job incredibly rewarding and worth every effort.

Do you have any exciting visits or upcoming partnerships within the community planned?

We’re excited to have several outings planned to help the children connect with the local community. These outings will include visits to the library, the dentist and the local park to see the ducks. These experiences give children the opportunity to learn about the world around them in a meaningful way. We’re also hoping to plan a trip to a local recycling centre, which will allow us to teach the children about sustainability and the importance of caring for the environment. These trips not only enrich the children’s learning but also reinforce our nursery’s commitment to being an active part of the local community.

What events have you got in the near future at Fennies Purley?

We’re always planning something exciting at Fennies Purley! In the near future, we have a range of themed events and open mornings lined up that will engage both current and prospective families. We’ll have an open morning during the summer where we will invite families, current and new, along with prospective candidates to come and join us for a day of fun at the nursery to get a real feel for what Fennies is about!

What’s the best thing about Fennies Purley?

The best thing about Fennies Purley is the amazing team and the wonderful children. They make every day at work enjoyable, and it’s a pleasure to be part of such a warm, positive and collaborative atmosphere. We work together to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. It’s this sense of community that makes Fennies Purley such a special place to work and learn.

What kind of leader are you?

I would describe myself as a nurturing, approachable and supportive leader. I believe that leading by example is key, and I’m always available for a chat, whether it’s about work or just life in general. I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. While I can be authoritative when necessary, I’m firm in my belief that leadership should always be about fostering respect, trust and open communication within the team. It’s important to me that everyone feels heard and valued, and that we all work together toward common goals.