DR. JOSH HAWTHORNE [eyt]
Managing Director & Early Years Teacher
I was at Sunshine on day one as the youngest child in attendance. The solid foundation and passion for learning that Sunshine provided has allowed me to pursue and further my own education; gaining two masters degrees and a Ph.D in Civil and Nuclear Engineering.
I returned to Sunshine in 2016 and took over as manager in 2017. I’ve worked to further my knowledge and understanding through studying towards my Early Years Teacher Status, which I achieved in 2020. This has given me the knowledge and experience to allow me to guide and support our team as we constantly strive to be the best setting possible.
I am hugely enthusiastic and passionate about education and we we pride ourselves on offering an environment rich in opportunity, promoting the awe and wonder of learning and discovery. I use my background in mathematics and science to lead on embedding their concepts into our curriculum. I believe strongly in our core values at Sunshine: Resilience – Ambition – Curiosity.
SONIA HAWTHORNE [eyp]
Founder & Director
Early Years education is Sonia’s passion; she loves to see happy children engaging in the amazingly inventive play opportunities provided by her wonderful team of early years practitioners, to observe their personalities develop and to listen to their chatter from babble to full blown story telling.
Having gained her NNEB in 1984 and more recently a BA (Hons) degree in early childhood studies and an Early Years Professional Status, guiding and supporting the team is Sonia’s priority. Through sharing her years of knowledge, understanding and experience Sonia ensures that everybody involved in the setting has the same vision. The vision to facilitate learning in a safe, resource rich, caring and supportive environment with practitioners who understand both how and why it is important to give children time to speak, to play, to think, to listen, to be spontaneous but most importantly, time to learn.
RACHEL
Deputy Manager & Unit Manager – 2-year-old unit
Rachel has committed herself to Sunshine and the children in our care since 1996. Rachel holds a foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies and loves being around children and watching them as they progress throughout their childhood. Rachel always provides support and encouragement, putting the children’s needs first.
Rachel’s knowledge and understanding of all of the children within her unit mean that she is able to plan and create activities which are tailored to their individual needs and current learning goals. Her leadership skills ensure that this planning is consistent across the unit and that all members of staff understand how, why and when to promote different aspects of development.
becky
Unit Manager – Baby unit
SENCo
Becky joined Sunshine as an apprentice straight out of school. After gaining her level 3 and a few years of experience at Sunshine, she spent some time travelling and returned in 2005 and has been with us ever since. Becky has experience across all age ranges, but her skills and expertise fit perfectly with supporting our 0 – 2-year-olds, where she has been for a number of years.
Becky has gone on to attain a foundation degree in Early Years (L5) and uses her knowledge and experience to ensure that our children are deeply engaged in meaningful and purposeful play; catering to their individual needs and interests.
Emma
Experienced Educator – Deputy UM 2-year-old unit
Emma is our longest serving member of staff, having joined Sunshine in 1995 she has celebrated 30 years with the company.
Emma’s wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable, both for our young children and for our more junior members of staff. Emma has been instrumental in staff training and development over the years; guiding and cultivating excellent childcare professionals, many of whom are still part of the Sunshine team.
KARIs
Experienced Educator – Deputy UM Baby unit
Karis joined our team in 2009 and has a wealth of experience. She gives our under-2s her time and attention; knows them all really well and has very high aspirations for them all. Karis is a great support for our younger members of the team and is always on hand for advice and guidance.
reegan
Unit Manager – Pre-school
Emotion Coaching Lead
Maths Champion
Reegan joined our team in 2017 as an apprentice; she has always been based in our pre-school room. Her passion, hard work and commitment have led her to taking over as our pre-school unit manager in 2021.
Reegan knows all of the children in her room well. She makes it her duty to know exactly where they are at developmentally; their interests, friendships and dispositions to learning. Together with her team, Charlotte, Amber & Yasemin, she provides a calm, stimulating and engaging environment for learning.
KIM C
Unit Manager -Upper-2s
Deputy Maths Champion
Kim joined our team in 2020, she is hardworking, conscientious, positive, dedicated and a great team player; Kim’s colleagues have nothing but good things to say about her.
Kim now leads in our upper-2s unit where she blends the challenge and structure of our pre-school room with the more fluid approach that we take with our younger children.
ANNA
Experienced Educator – Baby unit
dDSL
Anna joined Sunshine in 2005 and has experience across the whole nursery, she completed her Level 3 in Early Years at the start of her career and has a wealth of experience in supporting children in their learning and exploring. Anna is part of our safeguarding team, supporting colleagues and families within this role.
Anna is an excellent story teller; engaging and engrossing children when sharing books together and providing narrative for their play to really strengthen and develop their growing vocabularies. Anna is currently based in our baby unit and she ensures that it is a language rich and stimulating place to be.
Clare
Experienced Educator – Baby unit
Clare has been at Sunshine since 2008; she is qualified to Level 3 and has gained a wealth of experience during her time working with young children.
Clare always ensures that the children are her main priority, she makes it her duty to help new starters to settle in and to support children at their current levels of development.
charlotte
Educator – Pre-school unit
Deputy SENCo
Charlotte joined our team in 2017 and quickly gained her Level 3. She is kind, thoughtful and caring; always working to provide the best for our children and in return she expects the best from them in their play, learning and the effort they put into things.
Amber
Deputy UM Pre-school unit
Emotion coaching lead
Amber has been a member of the Sunshine team since 2020 and is very close to completing her Level 3 and becoming a fully qualified practitioner. Amber will always give the children her time with a smile on her face and excellent communication to extend and enhance their learning.
Ashley
Office Administrator
dDSL
Ashley joined us in 2021 and does lots of work behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Ashley is organised and diligent, ensuring that information is shared and that tasks are completed quickly and effectively.
Ashley is part of our safeguarding team; working to ensure that our whole staff body and our families are supported to informed in order to keep all of our children safe.
emily
Chef
Emily provides our children (and regularly our team) with healthy and delicious meals; she joined the team in October 2022. She is hardworking, conscientious and passionate about giving our children the best fuel for their learning.
Maddy
Educator – Baby unit
Maddy joined our team in 2023 as an apprentice. She has since completed her Level 3 and is now a qualified member of staff based in our baby room. Maddy is passionate and enthusiastic about young children and their education.
Abi
Educator – 2-year-old unit
Abi joined our team in June 2023, she brings with her a number of years experience and a lot of passion and enthusiasm for Early Years.
cheryl
Experienced Educator – 2-year-old unit
Cheryl joined our team in early 2024 with over a decade of early years experience. Cheryl is multi-talented, having worked across all age ranges as well as working as a nursery cook.
ruby l
Educator – Baby unit
Ruby joined our team in early 2024, starting an apprenticeship as a Level 3 Early Years Educator. Ruby is passionate and enthusiastic about young children and their learning.
Evie
Educator – 2-year-old unit
Evie joined us in September 2024 and has recently achieved her level 3 in early years. Evie has experience in a number of roles since leaving school, it’s clear that her passion is for children and supporting them in their formative years.
Rihanne
Apprentice – Upper-2s unit
Rihanne joined us in January 2025 as a full time apprentice. Rihanne is passionate, dedicated and patient; giving children her time and attention to support their learning through play.
Rihanna
L2 Educator – Baby unit
Rihanna joined our team in 2025 with a Level 2 in childcare and early years. Rihanna is based in our baby room and continues to learn and grow within her role, supported by her highly experienced and knowledgeable colleagues.
Lillie
Educator – Upper-2s unit
Lillie joined us in 2025 having completed her Level 3 in childcare within a school setting. Lillie is working part time alongside studying towards a degree in education and is based in our Upper-2s unit.
Yasemin
Apprentice – Pre-school unit
Yasemin joined us in early 2026 as a Level 3 apprentice; she is passionate about supporting young children with their learning and developing their confidence.
Vicky
Domestic
Vicky joined our team in 2026 to support day-to-day with ensuring that Sunshine is clean, hygenic and well organised. Vicky’s ability to seamlessly integrate with the rest of the team means that everything runs smoothly throughout the day.
Ruby p
Apprentice – 2-Year-Old unit
Ruby has recently joined us as a Level 3 apprentice; she is full of enthusiasm for early years and supporting children with their learning through play.
stacy
School links co-ordinator
Stacey joined our team in 2026 and supports with the logistics of school collections and assisting with dinnertimes.
Sunshine Day Nursery 