Meet The Manager: Laura From Fennies Clapham, Clapham Road

We had the pleasure of catching up with Laura, our dedicated Nursery Manager at Fennies Clapham, Clapham Road, opening its doors in June 2025! With over 21 years of experience in Early Years education, Laura is deeply passionate about creating nurturing, inspiring spaces where every child can flourish and enjoy the best possible start in life.

In this blog, Laura shares what will make our brand-new Clapham nursery truly stand out and her hopes for its future. From her commitment to becoming an active part of the local community to building meaningful connections with families, we discovered what truly drives her passion for Early Years.

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

Join Us at Fennies Clapham, Clapham Road

Under Laura’s inspiring leadership, supported by a passionate team and a warm, creative setting, Fennies Clapham, Clapham Road offers more than just childcare, it’s a true community. Whether you’re a parent seeking a nurturing environment for your little one or an educator looking to grow professionally, you’ll find your place here.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m a very creative person and love picking up new skills in my spare time. One of my proudest creative moments was sewing a figure skating dress for my niece, having never made anything like that before. I also used to design and make all of the children’s nativity costumes at my first nursery job, which felt like such a lovely way to bring the story to life for them. Outside of work, I’m an avid reader and make sure I read every day. Somehow, even with full-time work, I’ve managed to read over 70 books this year alone! Whether it’s through crafting or escaping into a good story, I really value having creative outlets in my day-to-day life.

What helps you stay connected with your communities?

I’m passionate about ensuring that our nursery is a visible and inclusive part of the wider community. One way we do this is by giving children opportunities to learn about the world around them. Whether it’s through celebrations of culture, exploring diversity or meaningful connections with local people and places. I also believe in the importance of outreach through events and charitable projects, where both families and the wider community are encouraged to be involved. These moments help children understand their place in the world, while allowing families to form strong, lasting bonds not just with us, but with each other too.

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

A real highlight of my career was helping to organise the first-ever Pride parade at my previous nursery. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we welcomed everyone! Children, the team, parents and even elderly residents from a nearby care home. With a live band playing music in the garden, everyone waved rainbow flags the children had made, danced, laughed and truly came together. It was such a powerful celebration of inclusion and joy across generations. Moments like that really stay with you. 

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

I want every child to be truly heard and celebrated for who they are. My ambition is to ensure that children feel emotionally safe, seen and valued every single day. This means supporting their emotional literacy from the earliest age and helping them to flourish in a way that reflects their individuality. I also extend that same approach to my team. Making sure that they are equipped and empowered to meet each child’s needs in a thoughtful, child-led way. When children and the team feel safe and appreciated, the whole environment thrives.

How do you create Parent Partnerships at Fennies Clapham?

I believe parents should feel like they’re a part of our extended family. From the very start, I aim to create opportunities for families to connect with the nursery through trips, cultural celebrations and inviting parents into the setting to read stories or share their experiences with the children. It's not about grand events every time. Even small, meaningful gestures like stay-and-play sessions or hosting group-specific meet-ups can have a big impact. When parents see that they are welcome and included, they become part of the nursery’s rhythm, and that builds a deeper sense of trust and collaboration.

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

In larger nurseries, it's easy for each room to feel like a separate team, but my goal is always to create one cohesive, united Fennies family. I work to embed that sense of togetherness across the entire setting so that every team member feels connected and supported. This starts with open communication, shared goals and plenty of collaboration between rooms. I don’t believe it should be something that’s just enforced, it should be something that grows naturally through mutual respect and shared successes. When teams work together, children feel positive energy too.

What kind of leader are you?

I’d describe myself as a reflective and thoughtful leader. I prefer to take a step back, understand the situation fully and then respond with intention. I lead by example and try to create an environment where the team feels trusted and empowered, rather than micromanaged. At the same time, I’m always ready to step in when needed and offer support or direction. There’s a balance between giving ownership and maintaining accountability, and I work hard to get that right. I want my team to feel respected, understood and confident in what they do.

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

Upskilling isn’t just about formal training sessions, it’s about creating a culture of everyday learning. I use peer observations and coaching partnerships whilst also trying to lead by example, often jumping into the room myself to model best practice. Team members are paired to share ideas and support each other’s growth, and we focus on reflective practice and celebrating what’s going well. It’s important to me that the team feels encouraged. Everyone learns differently, and by keeping learning fun and built into daily life, we make real progress.

Why did you choose to work in Early Years education?

I always knew I wanted to work with children, even from a young age, I told people I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t want to take the traditional university route, so I started working in a nursery instead, and instantly knew I’d found my calling. That practical, hands-on experience sparked my passion, and I later completed my Early Years qualifications to grow in the field. I’ve since progressed through different leadership roles, but I’ve never lost sight of why I started. There’s something incredibly special about helping to shape the early foundations of a child’s life.

What passions do you have within the Early Years curriculum?

Inclusion is at the heart of my approach. I’m passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of background, ability or needs, feels represented and included in our daily practice. That means adapting our curriculum to support children with SEND, ensuring children with EAL feel heard and embedding cultural understanding into everyday learning, not just during holidays or awareness weeks. Every child should feel that the nursery environment reflects their identity and interests. That requires flexibility and a child-centred approach to planning and teaching.

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

My priority over the next six months is to establish a strong, consistent core team who are aligned with our vision and values. Creating a nurturing, high-quality environment from day one is so important, and I want the children and families who join us to feel like they’ve found somewhere truly special. It’s also about setting up excellent practice, building positive parent relationships and embedding our culture of inclusivity and community. The first six months will fly by, but I’m excited for what we can build together.

What’s your favourite thing about coming to work?

Even with all the managerial responsibilities, spending time with the children is still one of the best parts of my job. I love how naturally children want to share their world with you. They’re always eager to show you what they’re doing, or tell you about something funny that happened. In a previous nursery, I ran a cooking club which became a weekly highlight. I’m looking forward to building those same relationships at Fennies Clapham, being that familiar, trusted face that children look forward to seeing each day is a real privilege.

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

I’ve been involved in intergenerational practice for several years and have seen firsthand how powerful those connections can be. At Clapham, we’re going to be reaching out to local care homes with the aim of creating meaningful, purposeful visits that benefit both the children and the older residents. These types of partnerships have so much potential! They help children develop empathy and communication skills, while giving older people joy, company and connection. I’m really excited to explore what we can build here in our local community.

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

We’re currently busy planning our big launch event on 26th July, which will be a fantastic way to introduce families to the nursery, the team, and everything that makes Fennies Clapham unique. It’s an opportunity for parents to explore the space, meet the educators and start forming connections before their child even begins. We’ll also be introducing lots of family-focused sessions and celebrations throughout the year to help establish our community from the very beginning.

What’s going to be the best thing about Fennies Clapham?

I want Fennies Clapham to feel like an extended family for every child and parent who walks through the door. No matter how large our nursery becomes, it should always feel warm, welcoming and deeply personal. That means making sure parents feel part of their child’s journey, not just observers. From the relationships we build to the experiences we offer, I want this to be more than just a nursery. It should be a place families genuinely love to be a part of.