Nursery Owner

Natasha became the owner of Sunshine Montessori in 2022, bringing with her a deep passion for early childhood education and a clear vision: to create an exceptional nursery experience for every child who attends. With a background in teaching and a degree in child psychology, she is committed to building a setting where children feel safe, nurtured, and inspired every single day.

Natasha genuinely cares about the wellbeing and development of each child, and is dedicated to giving them the best possible start in life. Her leadership is centred on bringing awe and wonder into daily learning, and she invests wholeheartedly—not only in high-quality resources, but in the experiences, wellbeing, and growth of both children and staff. Her thoughtful, values-led approach continues to shape Sunshine Montessori into a place where children truly thrive.

Nursery Manager

Amy has been a devoted part of Sunshine Montessori for over 14 years, bringing passion, creativity, and vision to every aspect of nursery life. Her commitment to providing exceptional early years experiences shines through in everything she does—from designing meaningful learning opportunities to creating spaces where children feel confident, curious, and truly celebrated.

With a strong belief in the power of play and creativity, she loves finding imaginative ways to showcase how capable, clever, and unique each child is. Amy leads with both heart and purpose, nurturing not just the children, but the whole community around them.

Deputy Nursery Manager

Laura has worked in childcare since leaving school and has been a dedicated part of the Sunshine Montessori team for many years. As Deputy Manager, she plays a key role in making sure that everyone—children, families, and staff—feels happy, safe, and supported every day.

She brings a fun, yet nurturing presence to her work and enjoys teaching across all age groups. Laura has a particular passion for the outdoors and leads our Forest School sessions, including specially adapted experiences for our babies, giving even our youngest children the chance to explore nature, build confidence, and enjoy sensory-rich play in the natural world.

Deputy Nursery Manager

Sarah is one of our Deputy Managers and brings a wealth of experience to her role. Calm, reassuring, and deeply nurturing, she has a natural ability to make children feel safe, valued, and supported as they learn and grow.

With her strong knowledge of early years development, Sarah combines thoughtful teaching with gentle guidance, creating a warm and responsive environment for every child. She also plays a key role in supporting the team, always on hand to offer encouragement, share her expertise, and help ensure we provide the very best care and education throughout the nursery.

Nursery Administrator

Lucy is our dedicated Administrator and a key part of the Sunshine Montessori team. She plays an essential role in supporting families with funding, fees, and all things admin, helping to ensure that the financial side of nursery life is clear, smooth, and stress-free.

With her organised approach and friendly manner, Lucy is always happy to help with queries and offer guidance. She helps keep the nursery running efficiently behind the scenes, while making sure that parents feel supported, informed, and welcomed every step of the way

Lauren is a Level 3 qualified practitioner and Joint Room Lead in our Baby Room. She brings a deep sense of passion and dedication to her role, always striving to provide the very best for every child in her care.

Adaptable across different age groups, Lauren is a true all-rounder—a rare and valuable presence in early years. She is especially skilled at supporting families, offering calm reassurance to parents and helping them feel confident and at ease from the very beginning.

Lauren also has a strong passion for the outdoors and can often be found helping out at the allotment or preparing one of our Forest School sites. Her enthusiasm for nature and outdoor learning brings an extra dimension to the experiences she creates for children every day.

Abbie is joint Room Lead in our baby unit and has been a cherished part of the Sunshine family since leaving school. Over the years, she has grown into a confident and caring practitioner, bringing energy, fun, and warmth to every day.

Loved by both parents and children, Abbie has a natural ability to connect with our youngest learners, creating a nurturing and joyful environment where babies feel safe, happy, and eager to explore.

Miss Sue is a part-time Early Years Practitioner who brings a gentle, kind, and nurturing presence to our team. With a calm approach and a warm heart, she helps create a peaceful and supportive environment for the children in our care.

Drawing on her experience as a grandmother, Miss Sue has a natural way with young children, offering comfort, patience, and encouragement as they learn and grow.

Miss Amber is full of life and brings endless energy and enthusiasm to every day at Sunshine. Her playful spirit and natural rapport with the children mean she’s often seen as one of their own—joining in their games, sparking laughter, and making learning joyful.

Her ability to connect so effortlessly creates a warm, fun-filled environment where children feel confident, included, and excited to explore.

Kaycie is a new member of our team who joined Sunshine straight from school and has quickly become a valued part of the nursery. Through hard work and dedication, she has grown in confidence and now plays a quiet but impactful role in the children’s day-to-day experiences.

Naturally calm and reserved, Kaycie has a soothing presence that children are drawn to—especially those who need a little extra reassurance. She’s always there with a gentle hand or kind word, helping children feel safe, supported, and ready to re-engage. Her thoughtful, caring approach creates a comforting environment where children can truly flourish

Kaitlin is a quietly confident practitioner who brings a thoughtful, nurturing approach to her work with children. She cares deeply about creating the right environment—calm, inviting, and rich with opportunities for children to explore and feel secure.

While loud singing and dancing may not be her style, Kaitlin shines in those quiet moments of connection—offering gentle reassurance, building towers with babies, and engaging in meaningful, one-on-one interactions. Her calm presence helps children feel safe, respected, and truly understood.

Lily is a confident member of the Sunshine team who particularly enjoys leading singing and music sessions with the children. She is always ready to engage in conversation, and her talkative nature helps keep communication flowing with both children and parents.

Her confident approach supports lively group times and adds variety to the children’s daily experiences.

Miss Tiffany is a Level 3 qualified practitioner with a wealth of experience in early years. After originally working at Sunshine, she briefly stepped away to explore a different career path—but just six months later, she returned, sharing that all she could think about was how much she missed being with the children.

Now back with a renewed passion and fresh perspective, Tiffany is preparing to begin her Level 5 qualification this summer. She brings a steady, reliable, and cheerful presence to the team, with a naturally friendly and smiley manner that children—and colleagues—instantly warm to.

Matina has grown into one of our outstanding practitioners, bringing patience, care, and integrity to everything she does. She takes the time to truly see and support every child, whether it’s having a quiet conversation when they need guidance or simply making them feel valued each day.

Polite, respectful, and reassuring with parents, Matina builds strong, trusting relationships and is always willing to get stuck in wherever she’s needed. Her calm, consistent presence and willingness to go the extra mile make her a hugely valued member of the Sunshine team.

Karen is the Room Lead for our Discoverers and brings a steady, consistent, and thoughtful approach to her teaching. Her calm and reassuring presence helps children feel safe, secure, and ready to learn, and she has a wonderful ability to create a warm, predictable environment where they can truly thrive.

Parents quickly feel at ease with Karen, confident in the care and guidance she provides each day.

Chelsea is the Room Lead for our Toddler Room and has been a valued member of the Sunshine team for many years. A qualified Montessori teacher with a wealth of experience, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to her role every day.

With her love of Disney, Bluey, and music, Chelsea shares a special bond with the children, who see her as someone who truly understands their world. Her creative spirit and nurturing approach make her classroom a joyful, playful, and purposeful space where toddlers feel right at home.

Kealy began her journey at Sunshine as an apprentice and has grown into her current role as Deputy Room Lead in the Toddler Room through hard work, dedication, and a genuine love for early years education.

She is confident, fair, and kind, with a warm and approachable manner that makes both children and parents feel instantly at ease. Kealy’s calm presence, thoughtful teaching, and sincere care for every child make her a truly valued part of the team.

Originally from America, Josie first joined Sunshine as part of our cleaning team. It didn’t take long for her to realise that what she truly loved was being around the children each day. After bravely approaching us to ask for experience in the rooms, it quickly became clear that she had found her calling.

Josie is genuinely kind, considerate, and calm, with a quiet, reassuring presence that children naturally gravitate towards. She brings warmth and care to everything she does, and her journey into early years education is a beautiful reflection of her heartfelt connection to the children she now supports.

Maria brings a steady, confident, and consistent presence to the Sunshine team. She is known for her fairness and deep respect for everyone she works with, creating a calm and inclusive environment where both children and colleagues feel valued.

Her predictable, reassuring approach helps children feel safe and supported, allowing them to build trust and flourish in their daily routines and learning.

Lucy is a practitioner in our Toddler Room who joined Sunshine straight from school. Naturally kind and gentle, she quickly formed strong, nurturing bonds with the children—even in her earliest days when she was quiet and shy.

It’s been a privilege to watch Lucy grow in confidence, and she continues to blossom into a thoughtful, intuitive practitioner. The children are drawn to her calm presence and learn so much from her each and every day.

Originally from Romania, Miss Ana brings warmth, insight, and a deep-rooted passion for children’s holistic development to our Sunshine team. With a love of the outdoors and a belief in nurturing the whole child—body, mind, and spirit—Ana quickly felt like the perfect fit for our nursery.

We knew she was destined for Sunshine the moment her application landed in our inbox, signed off with a quote that captures the very heart of early childhood: “But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis

Ana’s thoughtful approach, love of nature, and gentle sense of wonder bring something truly special to our team and to the children she cares for.

Miss Nicole is Deputy Room Lead in our Investigators (Preschool) Room and brings a calm, steady, and nurturing presence to the team. She has a genuine sense of wonder and pride in every achievement the children make, no matter how big or small, and this shines through in her interactions every day.

Children are naturally drawn to Nicole’s warmth and attentiveness—they love being around her and feel truly seen and supported in her care. Parents also appreciate her calm, knowledgeable approach and the thoughtful conversations she shares with them about their child’s progress and wellbeing

Affectionately known as “Mary Poppins”, Miss Rachael is always pulling something exciting from her many bags—whether it’s a flag from Bhutan or a story about how bees pollinate flowers. She has a magical way of making learning fun, meaningful, and memorable, turning everyday moments into rich learning experiences.

With a gift for spotting opportunities to teach in the most unexpected places, Rachael shares knowledge in a way that is perfectly pitched for young minds. Her explanations are clear, engaging, and wonderfully imaginative—helping children grasp even complex ideas with ease and excitement

Sarah Hillman is, quite simply, a dream practitioner. With a deep well of knowledge, natural presence, and a passion for excellence, she has that rare ability to hold the attention of 32 three-year-olds for an hour—a skill that borders on the miraculous.

Fully trained in the Montessori method, Sarah is a passionate advocate for child-led, purposeful learning and holds the highest standards for what quality education should look like. She brings this vision to life every day at Sunshine, and there is never any question of her settling for anything less than exceptional.

The children adore her, the parents trust and admire her, and the staff—well, it’s no surprise that more team members have asked to work with Sarah than with anyone else. She is a remarkable educator and an invaluable part of the Sunshine family.

Mattie brings deep care and commitment to every child she works with, but she holds a special place in her heart for children with SEND. She is a strong advocate for ensuring that every child feels safe, secure, and fully included, with access to the education and experiences they truly deserve.

Her passion doesn’t stop at the end of the day—Mattie regularly uses her spare time to expand her knowledge, explore best practice, and bring fresh, thoughtful ideas into the setting. Her dedication to reflective practice and inclusive learning makes a real difference to our team and to the lives of the children she supports.

We feel incredibly lucky to have Mattie as part of the Sunshine family.

Shahida is one of the longest-serving members of the Sunshine Montessori team and works part-time, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to everything she does. A passionate advocate for the Montessori approach, she enjoys sharing her knowledge with both children and staff—demonstrating how Montessori principles can support a wide range of developmental goals.

With a calm and thoughtful teaching style, Shahida gently guides children to become confident, respectful, and responsible individuals—truly standing out as future British citizens. Her commitment to values-led education and her enduring love for early years make her a treasured member of our Sunshine family

After many years running her own nursery, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have Miss Jane as part of the Sunshine team. When she met Miss Amy during their Early Years degree at Reading University, they instantly connected—and both knew they’d work together one day.

Miss Jane is our resident outdoor learning expert and a qualified Forest School Leader with an unshakable passion for all things nature. Whether she’s teaching children to identify trees, guiding them in fire safety, or creating beautiful nature art in the woods, Jane brings the outdoors to life with enthusiasm, knowledge, and care.

Her Forest School sessions are a highlight of the week, adored by the children and constantly talked about by parents. With Jane, every stick, leaf, and moment in the forest becomes a rich, meaningful learning experience—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shakila is a highly experienced and qualified practitioner who brings both passion and playfulness to her role. A strong advocate for the power of play, she understands how meaningful, hands-on experiences help children grow, explore, and thrive.

Shakila is an amazing storyteller, full of fun and warmth, and she finds real joy in watching children develop and discover new things. Her calm, respectful approach creates a nurturing environment where children feel truly heard and valued—and the mutual respect between her and the children is a joy to witness every day.

Zoe is the newest member of our team and is already proving herself to be a fantastic practitioner. Currently studying for her Level 3 qualification, she brings fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for working with children.

With a background in children’s sports coaching, Zoe has exciting plans to help us enhance our curriculum and offer even more enriching, active experiences for the children at Sunshine. From her very first day, the children were naturally drawn to her—feeling instantly at ease in her presence. It’s a joy to see them so comfortable around her, always asking for hugs or reaching for her hand with big smiles.

Zoe is a wonderful addition to our Sunshine family, and we’re so excited to see her continue to grow with us

Shabina has been a valued part of the Sunshine team for many years and is truly one of the calmest, kindest, and gentlestpeople you could hope to meet. Her quiet strength and caring nature bring a sense of calm to every room she’s in.

Always willing to help and ready to try her hand at anything, Shabina is the kind of person who quietly ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Her reliability, flexibility, and unwavering support make her an essential part of a successful day at Sunshine—and a much-loved member of our team.

Allotment Lead

Leah is our Allotment Lead and a passionate advocate for outdoor learning. A Level 2 qualified practitioner, Leah first worked at Sunshine over 10 years ago before taking time away to raise her three children. Now back with us, she brings even more energy, skill, and purpose to her role than ever before.

Having nurtured a love of gardening with her own children, Leah was inspired to create similar rich, hands-on experiences for the children in our care. She now plans and leads weekly allotment sessions, giving our children the chance to grow, explore, and connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.

Leah’s sessions are filled with wonder, curiosity, and learning—and offer experiences that are as valuable as they are unforgettable.

Lauren may be at the very start of her working life, but you’d never know it. She is an absolute natural with children, forming strong bonds with ease and bringing a calm, gentle presence to every interaction.

Kind, grounded, and as absorbent as a sponge, Lauren takes in everything around her and has quickly become a trusted and steady hand in the room. The children adore her, the staff value her deeply, and she has already proven herself to be a solid, reliable member of the Sunshine team

Haidee first joined the Sunshine family as a grandparent—and as Miss Rachael’s sister, it’s no surprise that she brings the same energy, creativity, and natural flair for teaching. Now part of our team, Haidee is truly larger than life, filling every room with fun, laughter, and warmth.

The children adore her and often follow her like the Pied Piper, completely captivated by her playful spirit. Her ability to bring joy, passion, and purpose to everything she does makes her a much-loved part of both the staff team and the children’s daily experience. Simply put, you can’t help but smile when Haidee’s around

Codii is one of a kind—kind and reassuring, firm and respectful, fun and full of chatter. She began her early years career right here at Sunshine, joining straight from school and quickly becoming a cherished member of the team.

After taking time away to have a baby of her own, Codii stayed connected to nursery life, dipping in and out as her little one grew. Now that her son is three, Codii is ready to get fully stuck back into shaping little lives—and we couldn’t be happier to have her back.

Her natural warmth, balanced approach, and ability to connect so genuinely with children and families make her a true asset to our Sunshine family

Bubbles is our long-standing chef and a much-loved figure at Sunshine—every child knows her name, and her famous orange soup is the stuff of legend! She lovingly prepares all of our breakfasts and lunches, creating homemade meals that are both nutritious and truly enjoyed by the children.

It’s not just the food they come for—children often ask to carry the milk to Bubbles or sneak in for some extra fruit, but really, it’s just an excuse to stand at the kitchen door and have a chat. Her warmth, humour, and care for the children shine through in every dish she serves and every interaction she has. Bubbles is truly part of the heart of our nursery.

Dale is a fully trained chef and a fantastic new addition to the Sunshine team. He has taken on responsibility for afternoon snack and tea, bringing fresh passion, energy, and creativity into our kitchen and beyond.

With three children of his own, Dale is passionate about sharing his love of food with the next generation. He’s already begun building strong connections with the children and is excited to help them learn about cooking, nutrition, and where their food comes from.

Together, we’ve been working on developing our new ‘Muddy Chefs’ Programme’, and with Dale at the helm, we can’t wait to see just how inspiring—and delicious—it turns out to be!