Introducing the Team
At Brightwalton Nursery we maintain the ratio of adults to children in the setting that is set through the Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements. This helps us to:
The staff who work at our setting are all well qualified and experienced and have worked at the setting for a number of years.
Sarah Wheatley-Hince
Owner/Manager, Key Person, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Data Protection Officer, Climate Action Lead, Qualified First Aider,
I have worked in the Early Years sector for the past 19 years, owning and managing Brightwalton Preschool for 16 of those years. Before embarking on this journey, I spent more than 13 years working in marketing within the IT sector, developing strong communication, organisational, and business management skills.
My career change came after the birth of my daughters. I wanted a profession that would allow me to be present for the important moments in their lives, particularly during school holidays and after school. What began as a practical decision soon became a true passion and one of the most rewarding choices I have ever made.
Working with young children and their families has given me immense satisfaction and a deep sense of purpose. I feel privileged to play a role in children's early development, helping them grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence during such an important stage of their lives. Every day brings new opportunities to support learning, celebrate achievements, and build positive relationships with children and their families.
Over the years, I have developed extensive knowledge and experience in early childhood education, creating a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. Seeing children develop, reach milestones, and leave with happy memories and a love of learning continues to be incredibly fulfilling.
Nearly two decades later, I still feel as passionate about Early Years as I did when I first started. The joy, energy, and unique perspectives that children bring each day make this career endlessly rewarding, and I remain committed to providing the very best care and learning experiences for every child in my setting.
One of the aspects of my role that I value most is the exceptional team I work alongside. Our senior management team has worked together for more than 10 years, and this continuity has enabled us to build strong professional relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to providing the highest quality care and education. We support one another through challenges, celebrate successes together, and continually learn from each other's experience and expertise. This collaborative approach creates a positive and supportive working environment, which in turn benefits the children and families we work with every day.
I firmly believe that the strength of our setting lies in our people. Having a team that shares the same values, passion, and dedication to Early Years education makes my role even more rewarding. Together, we have created a warm and welcoming community where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.
Gill Judge
Deputy Manager, Key Person, SENCO, Behaviour Specialist, Qualified First Aider
I have been working in Early Years at Brightwalton Preschool for the past 16 years and am proud to be the Deputy Manager of our setting. Before retraining, I worked as a Personal Assistant, where I developed strong organisational and communication skills that continue to support me in my role today.
After having my children, I decided to pursue a career that would allow me to be more present for my family and attend the important school events, performances, and milestones that are such a special part of childhood. What began as a practical decision soon became a true passion, and I have never looked back.
Working in Early Years is incredibly rewarding. I feel privileged to play a part in helping children learn, grow, and develop confidence during such an important stage of their lives. I love building strong relationships with children and their families and supporting each child as they develop their own unique personality, interests, and abilities.
Alongside my role at Brightwalton Preschool, I am an Emotional Literacy Support practitioner, working at a local primary school, for the last 15 years. I work under the Educational Psychology team, supporting children throughout KS1 and KS2 who experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. This allows me to maintain strong links with the wider educational community and gives me valuable insight into children's transition from Early Years into school. I enjoy helping children prepare for this next exciting step in their learning journey.
Su Porter-Scott
Key Person, Designated Safeguarding Lead, First Aider.
Before beginning my career in Early Years, I spent many years working as a television presenter while living in London. After the birth of my daughters, our family made the decision to move to the countryside and embrace a different pace of life. This change inspired me to retrain and pursue a career in Early Years education, enabling me to combine a fulfilling profession with family life and be present for the important milestones, school events, and everyday moments throughout my children's childhood.
I have worked at Brightwalton Preschool for over 10 years and feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a dedicated and supportive team. During this time, I took a short break to work as a Matron at a local independent day school attended by my daughters. This role provided me with valuable experience in supporting children's health and wellbeing, including managing medical needs and administering medication safely and effectively.
Alongside my role at the Preschool, I am also a qualified trainer, delivering courses in First Aid, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Safeguarding. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others develop the skills and confidence needed to support children, young people, and families.
Working in Early Years is an incredibly rewarding profession. I love supporting children as they learn, grow, and develop confidence during these important formative years. Every day brings something new, and it is a privilege to help nurture children's curiosity, resilience, and love of learning. One of the aspects I value most is working alongside colleagues with whom I have built strong professional relationships over many years. Together, we create a warm, caring environment where children feel safe, happy, and inspired to reach their full potential. Seeing children flourish and knowing that I have played a small part in their journey makes this work both meaningful and deeply rewarding
Laura Smith
Nursery Practitioner - First Aider
I have worked at Brightwalton Preschool for just over four years, supporting Sarah with our older children in the Tiger Group and helping them prepare for their transition to school. I thoroughly enjoy working with this age group and feel privileged to play a part in such an important stage of their development.
My journey into Early Years began when I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education. Shortly afterwards, I took time away from the profession to focus on raising my own family. Prior to this, I worked alongside my father in his local nightclub business, where I was responsible for many aspects of running the club, including staffing, organisation, and the day-to-day management of operations. This role helped me develop strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills, which continue to support me in my work today.
I returned to Early Years when my younger son attended Brightwalton Preschool and quickly rediscovered my passion for working with children. Being part of a setting that had played such a positive role in my own family's life made the decision even more special.
Since joining the team, I have gained a wealth of experience and confidence, learning from my colleagues and developing my knowledge of children's learning and development. One of the aspects of the role that I enjoy most is building strong relationships with the children and getting to know their individual personalities, interests, and strengths. I love seeing their confidence grow as they learn new skills and overcome challenges.
I particularly enjoy bringing our topics to life and creating engaging learning experiences that spark children's curiosity and imagination. Whether we are exploring the natural world, learning about different celebrations and cultures, or following the children's own interests, it is incredibly rewarding to see their excitement and enthusiasm for learning.
Working in Early Years is a career that brings me great satisfaction. Every day is different. Watching children flourish, develop independence, and leave Preschool ready for their next adventure at school is a privilege and one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
Sarah Collier - Nursery Practitioner
I have recently joined the Brightwalton team and am really enjoying being part of such an experienced and supportive Early Years setting. I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from working across a variety of Early Years environments, including Preschool and day care settings, as well as more recent experience working as a nanny for local families.
I hold relevant Early Years qualifications and have developed strong professional knowledge through both formal training and many years of hands-on experience. This has given me a solid understanding of child development, safeguarding, and the importance of creating safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments where children can thrive.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for working with young children and supporting them through their early stages of development. I particularly enjoy this age group and feel privileged to be part of their learning journey, helping them grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity about the world around them.
My experience as a nanny has also given me the opportunity to work very closely with families on a day-to-day basis. I value the strong relationships I have built with parents and carer's, working in partnership to ensure each child receives consistent, nurturing, and individualised care tailored to their needs. This close collaboration with families has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
Alongside my professional experience, I also have a personal understanding of this important stage of development, as I have a grandchild who will soon be transitioning to school. This has further strengthened my knowledge and insight into school readiness and the key skills and confidence children need as they move on from Early Years settings.
I am now very much enjoying being back in a dedicated Early Years environment alongside my nannying work, where I can contribute as part of a wider team. I feel fortunate to be working with colleagues who are knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about what they do, and I am already learning and growing within the setting.
Working in Early Years continues to be incredibly fulfilling for me. I am passionate about creating warm, caring, and stimulating environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. It is a privilege to support children during these crucial early years and to play a part in helping them build the foundations for their future learning and development.
Stella Beazley - Nursery Practitioner
I have recently joined Brightwalton Preschool and am really enjoying supporting the team and being part of such a welcoming Early Years environment. I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from working across a variety of settings, including day care, Preschool, and an independent school environment.
A key area of my background is food and nutrition. I have previously taught home economics in schools, where I developed a strong passion for helping children and young people understand the importance of healthy eating, food preparation, and making positive lifestyle choices. I very much enjoy bringing this experience into Early Years practice, where cooking activities and food exploration can be such a valuable and enjoyable part of learning.
I am passionate about working with young children and particularly enjoy this age group. I also have grandchildren of a similar age, which gives me additional personal insight and understanding of child development, interests, and the importance of nurturing early experiences.
I am excited to be back working as part of a small, close-knit team. I find this environment very rewarding, as it allows for strong communication, shared ideas, and a real sense of teamwork in supporting the children. I bring energy, enthusiasm, and a positive approach to everything I do, and I enjoy contributing to a setting where children feel happy, safe, and inspired to learn.
It is a privilege to be working in Early Years again, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience while continuing to learn and grow within the Brightwalton team.
- give time and attention to each child
- talk with the children about their interests and activities
- help children to experience and benefit from the activities we provide; and
- allow the children to explore and be adventurous in safety
The staff who work at our setting are all well qualified and experienced and have worked at the setting for a number of years.
Sarah Wheatley-Hince
Owner/Manager, Key Person, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Data Protection Officer, Climate Action Lead, Qualified First Aider,
I have worked in the Early Years sector for the past 19 years, owning and managing Brightwalton Preschool for 16 of those years. Before embarking on this journey, I spent more than 13 years working in marketing within the IT sector, developing strong communication, organisational, and business management skills.
My career change came after the birth of my daughters. I wanted a profession that would allow me to be present for the important moments in their lives, particularly during school holidays and after school. What began as a practical decision soon became a true passion and one of the most rewarding choices I have ever made.
Working with young children and their families has given me immense satisfaction and a deep sense of purpose. I feel privileged to play a role in children's early development, helping them grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence during such an important stage of their lives. Every day brings new opportunities to support learning, celebrate achievements, and build positive relationships with children and their families.
Over the years, I have developed extensive knowledge and experience in early childhood education, creating a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. Seeing children develop, reach milestones, and leave with happy memories and a love of learning continues to be incredibly fulfilling.
Nearly two decades later, I still feel as passionate about Early Years as I did when I first started. The joy, energy, and unique perspectives that children bring each day make this career endlessly rewarding, and I remain committed to providing the very best care and learning experiences for every child in my setting.
One of the aspects of my role that I value most is the exceptional team I work alongside. Our senior management team has worked together for more than 10 years, and this continuity has enabled us to build strong professional relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to providing the highest quality care and education. We support one another through challenges, celebrate successes together, and continually learn from each other's experience and expertise. This collaborative approach creates a positive and supportive working environment, which in turn benefits the children and families we work with every day.
I firmly believe that the strength of our setting lies in our people. Having a team that shares the same values, passion, and dedication to Early Years education makes my role even more rewarding. Together, we have created a warm and welcoming community where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.
Gill Judge
Deputy Manager, Key Person, SENCO, Behaviour Specialist, Qualified First Aider
I have been working in Early Years at Brightwalton Preschool for the past 16 years and am proud to be the Deputy Manager of our setting. Before retraining, I worked as a Personal Assistant, where I developed strong organisational and communication skills that continue to support me in my role today.
After having my children, I decided to pursue a career that would allow me to be more present for my family and attend the important school events, performances, and milestones that are such a special part of childhood. What began as a practical decision soon became a true passion, and I have never looked back.
Working in Early Years is incredibly rewarding. I feel privileged to play a part in helping children learn, grow, and develop confidence during such an important stage of their lives. I love building strong relationships with children and their families and supporting each child as they develop their own unique personality, interests, and abilities.
Alongside my role at Brightwalton Preschool, I am an Emotional Literacy Support practitioner, working at a local primary school, for the last 15 years. I work under the Educational Psychology team, supporting children throughout KS1 and KS2 who experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. This allows me to maintain strong links with the wider educational community and gives me valuable insight into children's transition from Early Years into school. I enjoy helping children prepare for this next exciting step in their learning journey.
Su Porter-Scott
Key Person, Designated Safeguarding Lead, First Aider.
Before beginning my career in Early Years, I spent many years working as a television presenter while living in London. After the birth of my daughters, our family made the decision to move to the countryside and embrace a different pace of life. This change inspired me to retrain and pursue a career in Early Years education, enabling me to combine a fulfilling profession with family life and be present for the important milestones, school events, and everyday moments throughout my children's childhood.
I have worked at Brightwalton Preschool for over 10 years and feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a dedicated and supportive team. During this time, I took a short break to work as a Matron at a local independent day school attended by my daughters. This role provided me with valuable experience in supporting children's health and wellbeing, including managing medical needs and administering medication safely and effectively.
Alongside my role at the Preschool, I am also a qualified trainer, delivering courses in First Aid, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Safeguarding. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others develop the skills and confidence needed to support children, young people, and families.
Working in Early Years is an incredibly rewarding profession. I love supporting children as they learn, grow, and develop confidence during these important formative years. Every day brings something new, and it is a privilege to help nurture children's curiosity, resilience, and love of learning. One of the aspects I value most is working alongside colleagues with whom I have built strong professional relationships over many years. Together, we create a warm, caring environment where children feel safe, happy, and inspired to reach their full potential. Seeing children flourish and knowing that I have played a small part in their journey makes this work both meaningful and deeply rewarding
Laura Smith
Nursery Practitioner - First Aider
I have worked at Brightwalton Preschool for just over four years, supporting Sarah with our older children in the Tiger Group and helping them prepare for their transition to school. I thoroughly enjoy working with this age group and feel privileged to play a part in such an important stage of their development.
My journey into Early Years began when I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education. Shortly afterwards, I took time away from the profession to focus on raising my own family. Prior to this, I worked alongside my father in his local nightclub business, where I was responsible for many aspects of running the club, including staffing, organisation, and the day-to-day management of operations. This role helped me develop strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills, which continue to support me in my work today.
I returned to Early Years when my younger son attended Brightwalton Preschool and quickly rediscovered my passion for working with children. Being part of a setting that had played such a positive role in my own family's life made the decision even more special.
Since joining the team, I have gained a wealth of experience and confidence, learning from my colleagues and developing my knowledge of children's learning and development. One of the aspects of the role that I enjoy most is building strong relationships with the children and getting to know their individual personalities, interests, and strengths. I love seeing their confidence grow as they learn new skills and overcome challenges.
I particularly enjoy bringing our topics to life and creating engaging learning experiences that spark children's curiosity and imagination. Whether we are exploring the natural world, learning about different celebrations and cultures, or following the children's own interests, it is incredibly rewarding to see their excitement and enthusiasm for learning.
Working in Early Years is a career that brings me great satisfaction. Every day is different. Watching children flourish, develop independence, and leave Preschool ready for their next adventure at school is a privilege and one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
Sarah Collier - Nursery Practitioner
I have recently joined the Brightwalton team and am really enjoying being part of such an experienced and supportive Early Years setting. I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from working across a variety of Early Years environments, including Preschool and day care settings, as well as more recent experience working as a nanny for local families.
I hold relevant Early Years qualifications and have developed strong professional knowledge through both formal training and many years of hands-on experience. This has given me a solid understanding of child development, safeguarding, and the importance of creating safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments where children can thrive.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong passion for working with young children and supporting them through their early stages of development. I particularly enjoy this age group and feel privileged to be part of their learning journey, helping them grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity about the world around them.
My experience as a nanny has also given me the opportunity to work very closely with families on a day-to-day basis. I value the strong relationships I have built with parents and carer's, working in partnership to ensure each child receives consistent, nurturing, and individualised care tailored to their needs. This close collaboration with families has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
Alongside my professional experience, I also have a personal understanding of this important stage of development, as I have a grandchild who will soon be transitioning to school. This has further strengthened my knowledge and insight into school readiness and the key skills and confidence children need as they move on from Early Years settings.
I am now very much enjoying being back in a dedicated Early Years environment alongside my nannying work, where I can contribute as part of a wider team. I feel fortunate to be working with colleagues who are knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate about what they do, and I am already learning and growing within the setting.
Working in Early Years continues to be incredibly fulfilling for me. I am passionate about creating warm, caring, and stimulating environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. It is a privilege to support children during these crucial early years and to play a part in helping them build the foundations for their future learning and development.
Stella Beazley - Nursery Practitioner
I have recently joined Brightwalton Preschool and am really enjoying supporting the team and being part of such a welcoming Early Years environment. I bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from working across a variety of settings, including day care, Preschool, and an independent school environment.
A key area of my background is food and nutrition. I have previously taught home economics in schools, where I developed a strong passion for helping children and young people understand the importance of healthy eating, food preparation, and making positive lifestyle choices. I very much enjoy bringing this experience into Early Years practice, where cooking activities and food exploration can be such a valuable and enjoyable part of learning.
I am passionate about working with young children and particularly enjoy this age group. I also have grandchildren of a similar age, which gives me additional personal insight and understanding of child development, interests, and the importance of nurturing early experiences.
I am excited to be back working as part of a small, close-knit team. I find this environment very rewarding, as it allows for strong communication, shared ideas, and a real sense of teamwork in supporting the children. I bring energy, enthusiasm, and a positive approach to everything I do, and I enjoy contributing to a setting where children feel happy, safe, and inspired to learn.
It is a privilege to be working in Early Years again, and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience while continuing to learn and grow within the Brightwalton team.