Our Team
At Tom Thumb Nursery we pride ourselves on our highly qualified, long standing team, many of whom have been at Tom Thumb for years! We believe in creating a warm and friendly environment and welcome all new children into our family.
At Tom Thumb Nursery all staff members hold an up to date Paediatric first aid certificate, fire safety certificate, Food Hygiene, Safeguarding and at least a Level 1 Child Protection and strongly encourage and supported with their own continuing professional development.
Claire - Nursery Owner/Manager
Claire has worked at Tom Thumb Nursery since 1995 and owned the nursery from 2005. She holds a foundation degree in Child Care.
Jenna - Deputy Manager (Maternity leave)
Jenna started at Tom Thumb Nursery in July 2007 and holds a CACHE level 3 diploma in Child Care and Education. Jenna has also completed Senco and child Protection training.
Lydia - Deputy Manager
Lydia returned to Tom Thumb in July 2022 after previously working here. She holds NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education and is the Deputy Safe Guarding lead.
Ria - Assistant Manager
Ria has worked at Tom Thumb since October 2005, she holds a NVQ level 3 in Child Care. Ria has completed recent East Sussex Senco training.
Emma - Assistant Manager
Emma started with us in June 2024 but has previously worked at Tom Thumb from November 1998-July 2001 and again from October 2010 - 2015. She has an NVQ level 3 in Childhood and Education. Emma is our Designated Safe guarding lead (DSL)
Sylvia - Nursery Practitioner
Sylv is the longest running member of the Tom Thumb team and has been here since 1987! Sylv holds an NVQ Level 3 in childcare, has completed an "Understanding Babies" course plus many years of experience.
Katherine - Senco & EYP
Katherine has worked at Tom Thumb since September 2008 and holds a BA Hons in primary Education (with QTS) specialising in Early Years and is qualified as a Level 3 Senco.
Mandy - Nursery Practitioner
Mandy has been at Tom Thumb since June 2006 and holds an NVQ level 2 in Child Care.
Alice - Nursery Practitioner
Alice started at Tom Thumb as a volunteer in May 2022 and joined the team permanently in October 2022. Alice has a NVQ Level 2 in childcare.
Elise - Nursery Practitioner
Elise has worked at Tom Thumb since January 2024 after completing work experience with us the year before. She is currently studying film, media and English literature at college
Leah - Nursery Practitioner
Leah joined us in September 2025 after completing her T- Level in Education and Early Years (equivalent to NVQ Level 3)
Alice. D - Nursery Practitioner
Alice started working at Tom Thumb in September 2025 after completing her Level 3 in Early Years Education. She also has a University degree in acting for film and completed college courses in Performing arts and music at Lewes college.
Chloe - Group Leader
Chloe has an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and has worked at Tom Thumb since January 2015. Chloe has also completed East Sussex recent Senco training
Aimee - Group Leader
Aimee started working with us in December 2019 and has achieved an NVQ level 3 in Child Care. She has completed an Understanding Babies course.
Hannah - Group Leader
Hannah started at Tom Thumb in October 2017 and holds a CACHE level 3 Diploma in Early Years
Molly - Deputy Group leader
Molly started working with us in April 2023 and has an NVQ level 2 in Child Care and is now working towards her level 3.
Amelia - Trainee
Amelia started with us in January 2025 and is working towards her level 2 NVQ in Childcare and Education.
Louisa - Trainee
Louisa started with us in January 2025 and is working towards her level 2 NVQ in Childcare and Education.
Kiran - Trainee
Kiran joined us in September 2025 and is working towards her level 2 NVQ in Childcare and Education.
Chloe - Trainee
Chloe joined Tom Thumb in September 2025 and is working towards her NVQ level 2 in Childcare and Education.
Grace - Bank Staff
Grace joined the Tom Thumb Team in February 2025 after completing work experience with us the year before. She is currently studying for her A-levels in History, Criminology and Sociology.
Lily - Bank Staff
Lily joined Tom Thumb in December 2024 after previously having a college placement with us. She has a T level in Education and childcare and is currently studying a BA in Primary & Early Years Education (with QTS) at the University of Sussex.