Meet The Manager: Suki From Fennies Beckenham, Mosaic Way

We caught up with Suki, our passionate Nursery Manager at Fennies Beckenham, Mosaic Way. With a background in music, Suki brings creativity and a love for artistic-based learning to Early Years education. She integrates music and cultural exploration into everyday learning experiences, ensuring each child feels supported and inspired.

In this blog, Suki shares what makes our Beckenham nursery a truly special place. From strong parent partnerships to a nurturing team atmosphere and enriching activities, she reflects on the moments that matter most, helping every child thrive and feel valued as they begin their early learning journey.

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

Join Us At Fennies Beckenham, Mosaic Way

If you’re looking for a nursery where your child can feel happy and inspired every day, we’d love to welcome you to our nursery in Beckenham. With our amazing team and our bright, creative spaces, including the newly renovated garden and Inventors Room, we provide so much more than childcare. Whether you’re a parent searching for a nurturing environment or an Early Years professional looking for a collaborative setting, Beckenham is a place where everyone can feel valued and inspired. 

What’s A Fun Fact About You?

I obtained a music degree from university before entering the Early Years industry, showcasing how much I love creative learning. My background in music means I enjoy bringing rhythm, song and performance into the nursery, which gives children a joyful way to express themselves. I love seeing how even the youngest children can engage with music and use it to develop confidence and creativity.

What Helps You Stay Connected With Your Communities?

I believe being part of the community is really important. At Beckenham, we plan trips to the local food bank and care homes. Children get to interact with different members of the community, and it’s a wonderful way for them to learn empathy and kindness. Families also get involved, which strengthens connections and helps children see how their actions can make a positive difference. I love the way these experiences spark curiosity and conversation in the nursery.

What’s Something You Have Loved About Your Early Years Career So Far?

One of the most special projects I’ve loved working on was creating a Time Capsule box with the team and families. It celebrated the diversity and culture within our nursery, and it was incredible to see the children take part and engage with it so enthusiastically. Moments like these, where children are excited to learn and families feel included, are what make my career so rewarding. Every day brings opportunities to create these special, meaningful experiences.

What’s Your Ambition To Help Improve The Early Years Sector?

I want to introduce more music into the curriculum to provide engaging, nurturing learning experiences for children. Music supports creativity, confidence, emotional expression and communication skills, all of which are essential parts of early learning. I believe that by giving children more opportunities to explore music and the arts, we can help them develop holistically and make learning both enjoyable and impactful.

How Do You Create Parent Partnerships At Fennies Beckenham, Mosaic Way?

Parent partnerships are at the heart of what we do here. From the very beginning, during onboarding, I ensure families understand our open culture and feel that the nursery is a safe space for them. Every family has different circumstances, and I make it a priority to get to know them personally. Our nursery is a place where families can feel comfortable whether they want to chat, work, or enjoy a cup of tea. I maintain an open-door policy and make sure families feel supported and valued. Even after children move on to school, they remain part of the Fennies family, and the trust and connections we build continue long after they leave our walls.

What’s One Impact You Like To Make On The Team Atmosphere?

I aim to radiate positivity and help my team see their own potential. I focus on recognising their achievements and showing them the difference they make every day. Sometimes the team doesn’t even realise what they’re capable of, so celebrating successes and highlighting individual strengths is really important. When the team feels supported and appreciated, morale improves, which directly impacts the children and families too. I believe a positive atmosphere is infectious! It creates an environment where everyone feels motivated, confident and proud to be part of the nursery.

What’s One Way You Help To Upskill Your Team?

Upskilling my team is something I take very seriously. I role model approaches, provide live feedback and make sure I understand how each person wants to learn. Everyone has different goals, whether it’s progressing from Level 2 to Level 3, developing skills in certain areas, or gaining confidence in new responsibilities. I work with each team member to identify their next steps and create opportunities for growth. By supporting the team in this way, I help them develop professionally while also enriching the learning experiences for the children. It’s incredibly rewarding to see team members thrive and grow in confidence.

Why Did You Choose To Work In Early Years Education?

I was heavily influenced by my sister, who also works in Early Years and even for another Fennies Nursery! Supporting in the industry during my music degree gave me the chance to work with younger children, and it quickly became an easy decision. I love the impact we have on children’s development! The ability to shape their experiences and help them grow into confident, resilient individuals. Seeing children achieve milestones, develop friendships and gain independence makes me proud of the work we do every day.

What Passions Do You Have Within The Early Years Curriculum?

I’m passionate about being expressive and using music and the arts to allow children to be creative. I believe children learn best when they feel happy and inspired, and I focus on helping them understand the world around them. For me, it’s not just about learning numbers or colours; it’s about resilience, making decisions confidently and building a strong sense of identity. I want children to leave the nursery proud of who they are. I also focus on helping them form friendships and transition successfully to school. Supporting them to feel confident and special is central to everything we do.

What Kind Of Leader Are You?

I lead with my heart. I listen, I’m patient and I focus on creating a positive team culture. Morale and happiness are so important, and I take a collaborative approach to leadership. I want my team to feel part of the journey, contributing their ideas and talents. I believe that happy teams create happy children, and that positivity extends to everything we do in the nursery.

What Would You Like To Achieve In The Next Six Months?

In the next six months, I want to establish champions who collaborate across rooms to enhance practice. One focus will be our recently renovated garden, where I’d like to appoint a gardening champion to enrich the outdoor areas. Giving the team these responsibilities helps them grow professionally while providing children with new, meaningful experiences. I’m excited to see how these initiatives will encourage engagement across the nursery.

What’s Your Favourite Thing About Coming To Work?

It’s the little moments that make every day special. Hearing the team and the children share stories about their day is always rewarding. One child recently told me he found a conker in the garden, and when asked where, he said he found it “with a family of conkers.” Moments like that, where children are curious, imaginative and proud of what they’ve discovered, are what keep me motivated and remind me why I love my job so much.

Do You Have Any Exciting Visits Or Upcoming Partnerships Within The Community Planned?

We’re planning a range of exciting community activities. These include pen pal projects with our other Fennies nurseries in Bromley and Beckenham, half-term activities where older siblings can join in, and partnerships with care homes to give children new experiences. We also run initiatives like the Gift Donation Tree, where we donated 50 gifts to Great Ormond Street and food bank donations. These activities spark conversations with children and help them understand the world around them, while creating meaningful experiences for families and staff alike.

What’s The Best Thing About Fennies Beckenham, Mosaic Way?

The best thing about our nursery is the team and the environment. The newly renovated garden and Inventors Room create bright and enjoyable spaces for children to explore. The team is incredibly supportive, and everyone brings their authentic, talented selves to work. That combination creates a strong sense of community, and our shared vision ensures we provide outstanding experiences for the children. Families feel welcomed, children feel valued, staff feel inspired, it really is a special place to be.