Meet The Manager: Rachelle From Fennies Twickenham, Hampton Road

We had the opportunity to sit down with Rachelle, our brilliant Nursery Manager at Fennies Twickenham, Hampton Road, opening its doors in July 2025! With plenty of experience in the Early Years sector, Rachelle is passionate about creating a warm, engaging space where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn.

In this blog, Rachelle gives us a glimpse into what makes our new Hampton Road nursery so special and shares her hopes for the future. From building strong connections with local families to becoming a familiar face in the community, Rachelle reveals what inspires her and what she's most looking forward to as we get ready to welcome our first families.

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

Join Us at Fennies Twickenham, Hampton Road

With Rachelle’s inspiring leadership at the helm and a passionate team behind her, Fennies Twickenham, Hampton Road offers more than high-quality childcare. Whether you’re a parent searching for a caring, creative space for your child or an Early Years professional ready to grow and thrive, this is the place to be. Why not join us for our official launch party on the 9th of August? It’s the perfect chance to meet the team, explore the nursery and discover what makes Fennies special. With fun activities for children and opportunities for parents to connect, it’s the start of something exciting in Twickenham.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I lived in Dubai for three years, which was an incredible opportunity that broadened both my personal and professional horizons. Living and working in such a vibrant, multicultural city taught me a lot about adapting to new environments and working with diverse families and teams. I had the chance to immerse myself in a completely different approach to Early Years education, which helped me grow in confidence and creativity. Those years shaped my values as a leader and gave me a deeper appreciation for the impact of a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

What helps you stay connected with your communities?

Connection starts with visibility and approachability. I make it a priority to be present during busy times like drop-off and pick-up, where I can have quick but meaningful conversations with parents and carers. I also enjoy organising regular events that invite families into the setting, whether it’s a coffee morning, stay-and-play session or a themed celebration. These events create a sense of belonging and allow us to celebrate milestones together. I believe strong partnerships are built on trust and openness, and I’m committed to making sure our community feels like an extension of our Fennies Family.

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

One of the most memorable moments of my career was helping to open a brand-new nursery in Abu Dhabi. It was an exciting challenge that involved everything from setting up the learning environments to hiring and training a brand-new team. Watching the nursery grow from an empty space to a buzzing, happy environment filled with laughter and learning was incredibly rewarding. It reaffirmed my passion for creating high-quality Early Years settings and gave me the confidence to know I could build something special from the ground up. That experience still influences how I lead and inspire others today.

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

My ambition is to create a space where every child is encouraged to be themselves, where individuality is celebrated, and where curiosity is nurtured every day. At Fennies Twickenham, I want us to be known not just for our high standards of care and education, but for the way we truly listen to children and families. I’d love to see a shift across the sector towards even more child-led, inclusive practices and to be part of shaping what that looks like in a modern, diverse community like ours. It’s also important to me to champion the professional development of Early Years educators and help raise the profile of the sector as a whole.

How do you create Parent Partnerships at Fennies Twickenham?

Building strong partnerships with parents starts with consistency and genuine care. I make an effort to be visible and available every day, whether that’s welcoming families in the morning, offering support when needed or simply chatting about how a child’s day went. I also believe in transparent communication. We will keep parents well-informed about their child’s learning journey and invite them to be part of that process through regular feedback, shared observations and events. Most importantly, I want parents to feel they are part of our nursery’s success and know that their voices matter.

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

A positive team atmosphere starts with mutual respect and appreciation. I always begin my day by visiting each room and checking in with the team. I ask how they’re feeling, what their plans are for the day and whether there’s anything I can support them with. These small moments of connection go a long way in helping the team feel valued and supported. I’m also very hands-on and like to lead by example, whether that’s jumping into a messy play activity or stepping in to help when someone’s having a busy day. I want to create a culture where everyone feels uplifted and motivated.

What kind of leader are you?

I would describe myself as a collaborative and inclusive leader. I make it a point to listen first and lead second. I love involving the team in decisions and asking for their input because I believe great ideas come from everywhere. I’m also very hands-on and always try to model the values I want to see, whether that’s resilience, kindness or a willingness to learn. I want people to feel empowered and trusted, and I aim to create an environment where every team member feels they have the space and support to grow and succeed.

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

I’m passionate about professional development and believe learning should be a continuous, collaborative journey. I encourage my team to reflect on their own strengths and areas they want to grow in, and we use that insight to guide training opportunities. We also do a lot of shared learning such as cross-room support, peer observations and mentoring. I make it a point to spend time in each room myself, modelling best practice and encouraging open dialogue. By fostering a culture where learning is celebrated, we grow together as a team and create a richer experience for the children.

Why did you choose to work in Early Years education?

My journey into Early Years wasn’t a typical one. I actually began in the sports industry and did work experience in primary schools teaching children sport after doing a Sports and Exercise Science Qualification. During that time, I found myself drawn to working with the youngest children. I loved their enthusiasm, honesty and how eager they were to explore and learn. That experience sparked something in me, and I realised I wanted to be part of those foundational Early Years where so much development happens. It’s the most rewarding field I’ve worked in, and I truly believe these early experiences shape the rest of a child’s life.

What passions do you have within the Early Years curriculum?

I’m a huge advocate for child-led learning and planning in the moment. I love seeing children deeply engaged in something that interests them and then using that moment to extend their learning naturally. For example, if a child is fascinated by building towers, we can explore fine motor skills, counting and teamwork all from that one interest. In our Explorers room, especially, I want to create an environment that encourages children to follow their curiosity and feel confident to take risks in their play. When learning is driven by the child, it’s more meaningful and memorable.

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

In the next six months, my focus is on building a strong, connected team that truly shares our vision. I want to establish a positive culture where the team supports one another, shares ideas and feels excited to come to work every day. At the same time, I want to ensure that families feel welcomed and involved from day one. For them to know their voices are heard and that their children are in safe, nurturing hands. This is such an exciting time for Fennies Twickenham, and I’m determined to lay the foundation for a thriving, inclusive nursery that becomes a valued part of the local community.

What’s your favourite thing about coming to work?

For me, it’s the joy of seeing the children’s faces each day. That moment when you walk into the room and a child runs up to you with a big smile, eager to show you what they’re doing, that’s everything. Their excitement, their questions and their wonder at the world reminds me why I do what I do. It’s such a privilege to be part of their early learning journey and to know that we’re making a difference every single day.

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

We’re really looking forward to exploring partnerships within the Twickenham community. One of our goals is to connect with local parks and public spaces for outdoor learning opportunities, as well as forming relationships with local businesses, schools and children’s services. We’re also in conversations with other Fennies nurseries about shared events and initiatives, which is a great way to help children feel part of something bigger. Creating those wider community connections will give the children a sense of belonging and expand their experiences beyond the nursery walls.

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

Our biggest upcoming event is the official launch party on the 9th of August, and we’re all so excited about it! It will be a fantastic opportunity for local families to meet the team, explore our beautiful nursery and experience what makes Fennies special. We’ll have a range of fun, interactive activities for children, along with opportunities for parents to ask questions and connect with one another. It’s about beginning to build those strong relationships and celebrating the start of something special in Twickenham.

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

The best thing about Fennies Twickenham will be the people! The children, the team and the families. We’re creating an environment full of laughter, warmth and encouragement. I want our nursery to be a place where children can thrive, the team feels inspired and parents feel reassured and valued. With the positive, supportive culture we’re building, I truly believe Twickenham is going to be a place that brings out the best in everyone who walks through our doors.