Following my first career in TV advertising, I retrained in Early Years and started Chestnuts in 1998 when my daughter was two and my son, five.   I have worked in Local Authority Early Years & Children’s Services and, as a qualified Adult Education tutor, managed the Early Years & Teaching Assistant training department at Richmond & Hillcroft Adult Community College for many years.  I continue to undertake a small Quality Assurance role for the college.   Now semi-retired, I work remotely, dividing my time between Teddington and Scotland with two to three months annually in Australia, where both my children now live. 

I have been working at Chestnuts Nursery and Pre-school as the Business Manager since 2016. After working at Chestnuts Nursery and Pre-school for 2 years, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in childcare and qualified as a Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in 2017.

Both my boys went to Chestnuts Nursery and Pre-school.

I've been part of Chestnuts Nursery in Twickenham since 2019 when I started as a Level 2 Student. I'm now the Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead. My journey into early years started with completing Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications and I've since completed my BA Hons in Primary Education at St Mary's University, as a work-based learner. I'm passionate about early education, safeguarding and building trusted relationships with families. Above all, I believe in giving every child the best possible start and creating an environment where children, families and staff all feel supported and valued.  

I started working at the Chestnuts Nursery as an Early Years Practitioner in 2014. During the past eight years at Chestnuts, I have been working in all three branches and have experience working with children of different ages. I have had a variety of responsibilities including the Preschool TW2 Deputy Manager.

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I have been in childcare since 1995, when I started to volunteer in local
nurseries as a student, whilst working across settings and with local families.
During this time Iʼve also completed courses in safeguarding, first aid, food
hygiene, behaviour management and paediatric first aid.

Iʼm also a mother and understand the importance of a great start in the
educational life of a child.

I have been at Chestnuts Corner since it first opened and I am completing my training for my level 3
qualification.

I also have a qualification in paediatric first aid.

I took my NNEB qualification when I left school. Since then I have worked in different locations with children, after having a break to look after my own children, I returned to nursery work.

I am also qualified in first aid, and like to do training to refresh myself with up to date courses.

I have been working in childcare since 2017 and have about seven year's experience working with children (Chestnuts Nursery and preschool)

Languages-English and Arabic.