Lisa Button, Head of Early Years

Debbie Horton, Deputy Pre-School Manager

I have enjoyed working in early years for over 25 years, with a passion for literacy, exploration, and creative experiences. I enjoy providing an enriched learning environment and developing children’s foundations within our EYFS curriculum.

I support and assist all our children, working in partnership with all our families. I have recently completed my Accredited Level 3 SENDCO qualification which has been beneficial to the children and my team at Sunbeams. I am currently completing my NPQ in Early Years Leadership.

I have been a part of the St Swithun’s family since we opened in 2018. We continue to offer a happy, safe, nurturing and welcoming environment for all our children and families, as happy children love to learn!

I also have my own children, with a new addition to the family, our Jackapoo puppy. We enjoy walks along the beach and visiting our local dog-friendly cafes together!

Please feel free to contact us for a tour of our lovely preschool, we look forward to welcoming you and your family to St Swithun’s Sunbeams Pre-School.

Vicky Smith, Nursery Practitioner

My name is Vicky and I have been working in childcare for ten years.  I worked with the team to set up Sunbeams Pre-School in September 2018.  I am very proud to see how Sunbeams has grown.

I enjoy music and movement activities with the children, especially dancing and yoga.

I have a son and I enjoy going for walks and seeing my family and friends.

I look forward to welcoming you all to Sunbeams Pre-School.

Kayleigh Rudkin, Nursery Practitioner

Hello, my name is Kayleigh.  I have a Level 3 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning, and Development.

I have enjoyed working in childcare for over eleven years. I am very creative and enjoy providing fun learning environments, especially small world and tuff tray exploration.

I am a mum of 2 children, a girl, and a boy. At the weekends we like to spend time visiting the beach, farms, zoos and enjoying movie days as a family.

Jodie Waajen, Nursery Practitioner

I studied at South Downs College, qualifying with an NVQ 3 Childcare in 2008.  I have worked in several settings with a variety of ages, over the years. I joined St Swithun’s Sunbeams Pre-School in 2018.

I have two children, a girl, and a boy.  I feel I have gained a wider experience having my own children and can implement this knowledge into a childcare setting.

I am friendly, thoughtful, and have a love for creativity. I have a wide knowledge of the EYFS and how to implement learning strategies through play for the best quality of care and development.

Working with children is something I have always wanted to do, and I love it more as the years go by.

The best and most important part about working with children is how rewarding it is to see the progress and growth of the children and the special bonds formed along the way.

Sam Turnbull, Nursery Practitioner

Hello, I’m Sam. I have been part of the amazing Sunbeams team since the beginning of 2023. I am qualified with a BTEC Level 3 in childcare and have over 10 years of experience working in childcare settings with various ages. I have my own children, one girl, and one boy who are my world.

I love working with children, it is all I have wanted to do since being a child and my dream came true! I have a gentle manner and a caring personality. You will hear me singing all the nursery rhymes throughout the day, turning anything into a song!

Laura Shaw, Nursery Practitioner

Hi, I’m Laura!
I have worked with children for 12 years ranging from 4 months to 12 years old. In this time I have completed my Level 3 in childcare, lived and worked in France, completed my degree in English Literature, and had my own child. I like to use these experiences to enhance the teaching I provide to the children in Sunbeams, particularly theming creative activities around our story of the week.