Meet The Managers: Karen and Bonnie From Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road

We had the chance to catch up with the management team over at Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road, Karen and Bonnie. With over 35 years of experience within the sector, Early Years is natural to Karen and Bonnie. Karen is our Nursery Manager at Fennies Purley (pictured on the right above), constantly striving to create more opportunities for professional development for her team. Bonnie is our Deputy Manager at our Purley Nursery (pictured on the left above), and loves being a part of the magical milestones that the children get to achieve at nursery.

They thrive off of creativity and positivity, with it radiating across the nursery and into their team. The community is a big factor of our Purley nursery, with regular visits from local businesses to provide informative sessions for the children, along with monthly stay and plays for the families to get that deeper look into nursery life.

In this blog, Karen and Bonnie share what they love about our nursery in Purley and what makes it so special. From building strong relationships with families to cultivating a positive team atmosphere where the team feel inspired to further their learning to help provide the highest quality care and education for children.

• Inspiring the Local Community
• Parent Partnerships
• Early Years Curriculum 
• Team Upskilling and Atmosphere
• Childcare Passions
• Upcoming Events

Join Us At Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road

If you’re searching for a nursery where your children can thrive and foster a lifelong love for learning, we’d love for you to join Fennies Purley. Our qualified team and meticulously designed spaces create a nurturing, secure environment that encourages physical, social and emotional development. Early Years practitioners appreciate the supportive, collaborative culture, ensuring they are continually committed to excellent practice to provide the children with the best start in life.

What’s Something You Have Both Loved About Your Early Years Career So Far?

Karen: I love being creative and having the freedom to be myself. My energy is high, and I can be silly while still supporting the children and the team. Every day is different, and I enjoy embracing new ways to solve challenges as they come.

Bonnie: I feel the same. I’ve loved watching our apprentices grow and seeing their confidence develop. Every child, every day brings something new, and that variety keeps me motivated. Together as a team, we bounce off each other really well. We all bring our unique personalities, and that diversity makes Purley a welcoming place where everyone feels included.

How Do You Create Parent Partnerships At Fennies Purley, Christchurch Road?

We prioritise building strong partnerships with parents from day one. We run monthly online parent forums during lunchtime so it’s easy for everyone to attend. We share development plans, discuss ideas and actively invite input from parents so they feel part of their child’s learning journey. We also host monthly stay-and-play sessions, where siblings can join and everyone can participate. 

We usually pick a theme to inspire the activities, such as seasonal celebrations like Easter, which makes the sessions inclusive and interactive. These experiences give parents a chance to see how learning extends beyond the classroom and how their children are developing socially and emotionally.

What’s One Impact You Like To Make On The Team Atmosphere?

We want positivity and energy to flow naturally throughout the nursery. We focus on open communication and celebrating each other’s achievements, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s a child mastering a new skill or a team member completing a training course, acknowledging progress helps everyone feel valued. Creating this collaborative, welcoming atmosphere keeps the team engaged and motivated, and that energy directly benefits the children and families.

What’s One Way You Help To Upskill Your Team?

We work closely with our six apprentices and support their learning journey every step of the way. Many of our team members are studying outside of work, and we make a point of recognising and celebrating their hard work. We also prioritise training and professional development. Recently, we focused on Communication & Language, and SENDCO support, embedding the knowledge gained through these trainings into everyday practice. By ensuring the team feels confident to apply what they’ve learned, we create a consistent and high-quality learning experience for all the children.

Why Did You Both Choose To Work In Early Years Education?

Karen: I’ve always loved seeing children learn and develop. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping children reach milestones and watching them grow. I also enjoy mentoring and training the team, ensuring they are confident in providing the best experiences for the children. My nan always told me I was a natural with children, and that early encouragement has stayed with me throughout my 17 years in childcare.

Bonnie: Caring for children has always been my dream. I wasn’t able to go to college initially, but I started in the sector unqualified and worked my way up through Level 3 Practitioner, Third-In-Charge, Deputy at Epsom, and covering at Horley. Now I’m back at Purley as Deputy, which feels like coming full circle. One of the first children I looked after at Purley is now doing work experience here, 15 years later. Watching that journey come full circle is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I love what I do.

What Passions Do You Have Within The Early Years Curriculum?

We’re passionate about school readiness and helping children take their next big steps with confidence. We also love fostering creativity through books, art, and initiatives like Artist of the Month or Book of the Month, which encourage imagination and curiosity. For us, celebrating milestones like a child saying a new word or taking their first steps is incredibly fulfilling. We’re also committed to supporting children’s emotional development, helping them feel secure, independent and ready to explore the world around them.

What’s The Best Thing About The Fennies Purley Team?

Our team brings a wide range of skills from outside the nursery, which they use to create engaging, exciting activities for the children. For example, Angel leads yoga sessions with the babies, Charlie shares her GB cheerleading expertise to develop physical skills and several team members speak multiple languages, helping children feel connected to their cultural backgrounds. Everyone’s talents are recognised and valued, which strengthens the team dynamic and ensures the children have access to rich, diverse learning experiences every day.

What Kind Of Leaders Are You?

We are supportive, hands-on leaders who focus on listening and practical solutions. We maintain an open-door policy and encourage the team to ask questions, try new approaches and share ideas. Leading by example is central to how we operate, and we aim to inspire our team to deliver nurturing, high-quality care while feeling confident and motivated in their roles.

What Would You Like To Achieve In The Next Six Months?

Our focus is on extending outdoor learning and finding new ways to bring indoor experiences outside. We also want to ensure all the training our teams have received, particularly in SEND support and communication and language development, is embedded into daily practice so children benefit consistently from high-quality experiences.

What’s Your Favourite Things About Coming To Work?

We love working together and being able to support each other every day. Our dynamic partnership helps us bring out the best in each other and keeps work enjoyable and energising. We also love the variety in our days. It keeps our creativity flowing and ensures no two days are the same. Being surrounded by the children’s energy, curiosity and excitement is always a highlight.

Do You Have Any Exciting Visits Or Upcoming Partnerships Within The Community Planned?

We enjoy bringing the community into the nursery whenever we can. Recently, we’ve welcomed a local dentist to promote oral hygiene, firefighters to talk about safety and djembe drumming sessions with Mango Tree Kids. We’ve also hosted ceramics sessions, a Holi paint festival, and a multicultural day where families share foods and items from their culture. For Eid, we went to Sainsbury’s to buy ingredients for baking activities. These experiences allow children to explore, engage with their community and learn in hands-on, inclusive ways.

What’s The Best Thing About The Fennies Purley Nursery?

Our three gardens and the character of the building give the nursery a home-away-from-home feeling. The layout encourages exploration, creativity and play in every corner. Combined with our long-standing team and the personalised, art-filled environment, Purley is a truly unique place where children feel inspired and excited to learn.