Alex Mayes - Payroll Administrator Expand (Alex at 3-years-old) Alex joined us in September 2021 and brings payroll and accounts experience gained in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, local authority and accountancy practices. In her spare time, Alex enjoys holidays with her family (preferably somewhere sunny with good restaurants nearby, although her two boys love camping during thunderstorms!) playing tennis and watching a good film!
Aysha Yarsley - Training and Development Manager (Internal) Expand (Aysha at 6 years old) Aysha is our Internal Training and Development Manager, supporting our staff with their professional development and to achieve their career goals within Acorn. She started at Acorn as a Nursery Administrator in July 2023 before joining us at the Central Support Office in January 2024. Aysha comes to us with a background in nursery management with Qualified Teacher Status and a Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Otago in New Zealand. She side-stepped into administration after taking an extended break when she had her first child in 2021 and then stepped up to the Training and Development Manager role in early 2024. Aysha is originally from New Zealand but has been living in the UK since May 2017, settling down to start her family here. Aysha also volunteers remotely as the Treasurer for Queenstown Playcentre which is an Early Childhood Education charity based in New Zealand. In her spare time Aysha enjoys spending time with her husband, son, dog, and cat as well as knitting, cross-stitch, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Becky Watanabe - Early Years Manager & Trainer/Consultant Expand Becky (Becky at 4-years-old) Becky is both an Early Years Manager and a very popular early years trainer and consultant. Having previously worked at one of Acorn's nurseries, we were delighted to welcome Becky back to Acorn in 2017 after several years working as a childminder and trainer/consultant. As well as supporting Acorn's nurseries and being one of Acorn's Mental Health First Aiders, Becky devises and delivers Early Years training courses across the country, and supports local settings to continually improve their early years provision. With over 5 years’ experience delivering training nationwide, Becky has a wealth of knowledge to share. If you would like an informal chat about how Becky can support your setting please get in touch.
Charlotte Kent - Training and Development Manager (External) Expand Charlotte is our External Training and Development Manager looking after our apprentices and external training courses. Charlotte has worked in childcare since leaving school, completing her Level 3, working in Nurseries, then moving on as an apprenticeship assessor and teacher in a further education. Charlotte loves spending her time with family in the park for a big game of rounders accompanied by the sunshine!
Elaine Linnie - Health & Safety Manager Expand (Elaine at 6-months-old) Elaine is our Health and Safety Manager. She has worked in childcare for over 19 years and is qualified to Level 4 in Early Years. Elaine joined Acorn in 2014 as a Practitioner and Health and Safety Rep at our Burton Latimer Nursery, progressing to Senior Practitioner in the same year and then Deputy Manager from 2015 to 2021. From August 2020 to August 2021, Elaine joined our Central Support Office as Health and Safety Officer on a part-time basis, working alongside Steve before taking on the role full time from September 2021. Elaine has undertaken her IOSH Managing Safely qualification and recently passed her NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety with distinction. Elaine works closely with staff at all our sites, ensuring high standards of Health and Safety is embedded into everyday practice.
Emily Hepden - Head Of Finance Expand Emily joined Acorn in March 2023 as our Head of Finance. Emily is a chartered accountant with ICAS, and has 11 years of auditing experience. Her role at Acorn Early Years includes providing insightful analysis of financial information, as well as identifying improvements to help optimise future performance. During weekends Emily enjoys spending time with her young children, which usually involves going for walks, swimming and growing vegetables in the garden.
Gabbie Brandon - Marketing Manager Expand Gabbie (Gabbie at 3-years-old) Gabbie joined our Acorn team in March 2018. She has over 15 years’ experience in strategic marketing and public relations, with a BA Hons in Marketing alongside her CIM qualification. Gabbie is responsible for all things Marketing across the nurseries, forest school and the training department. Gabbie works with Santa, Debra and Stephanie ensuring all social media platforms, website and marketing materials are managed and Acorn’s marketing strategy is executed to plan!
Ian Cleary - Facilities Assistant Expand Ian (Ian at 18-months-old) Ian is our Facilities Assistant - working alongside Steve - Acorn's Facilities and H&S Manager. With a background in engineering, painting and decorating, Ian has a passion for maintaining and keeping our settings running smoothly and safely.
Jen Southern - Finance Administrator Expand (Jen at 1 years old) Jen is our Finance Administrator and is based at the office in Castlethorpe. Jen joined Acorn in July 2023 and her previous role was in Finance at a Recruitment Company in Milton Keynes. Jen’s Hobbies include badminton and yoga when she gets a chance to be child free. During weekends Jen enjoys spending time with her son, partner and dog, which usually involves going for walks, swimming, parks and growing vegetables and fruit in the garden.
Kim Langstaff - Early Years Manager Expand Kim has over 20 years’ experience working within the childcare sector and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Kim holds a BTEC qualification in Early Years along with a 1st class Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors and a Master of Arts. Kim also holds an A1 assessor award which enables her to deliver qualifications. Kim has a real passion for inspiring children’s learning and aspires to deliver the very best learning opportunities within the highest standards of care for all children through providing high quality and enjoyable learning experiences through play and exploration. This, she believes will allow each child to reach their full potential. In her spare time, Kim enjoys reading and spending time with her 4 children, including her 7 year old twin boys.
Laura Tingey - Head of Early Years & Compliance Expand Laura (Laura at 2-years-old) Laura is Head of Early Years & Compliance and oversees the management of our Early Years Team. Since joining in 2013 Laura has completed her Masters in Early Education through the Centre for Research in Early Childhood. Her experience in management and Early Years continues to serve us all well. In her spare time Laura enjoys to work off some steam in the boxing ring…so beware!
Nathan Barrington - HR Advisor Expand Nathan (Nathan at 3-years-old) Nathan joined our team in February 2019. Nathan has extensive experience working within the HR sector and has spent a number of years working within compliance and recruitment. Nathan will be working with Sue on the Acorn HR strategy and looking to grow and develop the function for all employees. Nathan is a keen sports fan who keeps fit with running and cycling, he also enjoys spending time with his young family.
Santa Svike - Sustainability Lead, Governance Lead, and Content Co-ordinator Expand (Santa at 2-years-old) Santa is our Sustainability Lead, Governance Lead, and Content Co-ordinator. Her role includes supporting Acorn on its eco-journey and supporting the governance of Acorn by working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees. Santa is also a part of the Marketing team and works closely with Gabbie, Acorn's Marketing Manager, ensuring the organisation's social impact is communicated effectively. Santa initially joined us through the graduate scheme Charityworks, after completing her Sociology degree from the University of Warwick. She is also the Chair for the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Youth Committee, working towards getting more young people on nature's side.
Steph Long - Office Administrator Expand (Stephanie at 18-months-old) Steph started with Acorn in May 2022 as the administrator for Westcroft, but she has a long history with Acorn as her younger brother attended the nursery in Castlethorpe in the mid-90s, her youngest son attended the same nursery. Steph's youngest son now attends the holiday club and has been attending our Forest schools for 4 years now, he absolutely loves it! Outside of work Steph enjoys road trips and walks with her children to explore and experience new things and places. When Steph gets the chance, she can also be found with a cocktail in hand on the dance floor with friends.
Steve Petty - Facilities and Health & Safety Manager Expand Steve (Steve at 6 Months) Steve is responsible for Health and Safety plus Facilities for the Acorn group. He started as a BT engineer and progressed into service management for BTs finance systems. From there Steve jumped into education, first as a Network Manager and Governor and then School Business manager. After 14 years in education it was time for a change and he joined the Powell-Cotton Museum on the south east coast as the Head of Operations. Steve relocated to Northampton to be closer to family and joined the Acorn Early Years Foundation in March 2019.
Sue Fenton - HR Manager Expand (Sue at 1-years-old) Sue is responsible for leading Acorn’s HR initiatives and ensuring the function runs smoothly. Sue is MCIPD qualified and has a wealth of experience in HR, including in education, insurance and highways. Her first experience in education was as an HR Manager in a newly formed Academy Trust and has also worked in a further education college. Her experience will ensure Acorn’s people strategy is in line with the future needs of the organisation. At the weekend, Sue enjoys walking with like-minded friends across the Beds or Bucks countryside, which normally ends with much needed refreshment in a local pub.
Teresa Gardner - Finance Manager Expand Teresa The very first member of the Acorn CSO team, Teresa started at Acorn over 20 years ago, when she shared an office with the Shenley nursery staff team, so she has certainly seen a lot of changes!
Zoe Raven - CEO Expand Zoe Not quite the oldest member of the team, but the longest serving! Zoe started Acorn in 1989 when she opened the first nursery in Castlethorpe and lived upstairs with her family. She is passionate about retaining a personal touch in the organisation, and is determined to manage Acorn’s growth without it becoming bureaucratic, and also for Acorn to lead the sector in being a learning organisation. Alongside her role as CEO Zoe is undertaking a PhD on the ethics of care in early years care and education.