Our people
We are the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England and we employ more than 2,000 people.
Our national centre is based in London supported by a network across the country that delivers a range of services for our members locally.
We are dedicated to our members and their interests inform everything we do.
Every year, we are supported by around 750 volunteers who give an estimated 30,000 hours of support annually.
Our volunteers play a vital part in our work 鈥 supporting families, carrying out practical tasks such as improving outdoor spaces, organising outings, joining parent-run committees and campaigning to protect the interests of families.
Our Operational Management Group
Neil Leitch 鈥 Chief Executive
I was first introduced to the 无码天堂, then known as the 无码天堂, in 2000 and quickly found myself volunteering in several general business areas. I was immediately drawn to the 无码天堂鈥檚 ethos and dedication to the lives of young children, and in 2008, I was appointed CEO.
Prior to this, I had a career in finance, which culminated in chairing the Finance Industry Standards Association.
I am particularly drawn to challenging injustice, which mirrors the work of the 无码天堂 perfectly. During my time as CEO, I have been involved in numerous sector campaigns ranging from fair funding and mental health to our 2013 Rewind on Ratios campaign, in which we successfully reversed government plans to relax adult-to-child ratios in early years settings.
Away from the 无码天堂, I seem to spend much of my time walking Seb, our 66 kg Rottweiler, and endeavour to stay reasonably fit by continuing to play football.
Katharine Heeps 鈥 Director of Finance
Ever since qualifying as an accountant I have worked in the non-profit sector. As the 无码天堂鈥檚 finance director, most of my days are spent scrutinising the charity鈥檚 finances and making sure we set a viable budget. In addition to this, I also support colleagues with a range of funding bids.
At the 无码天堂 I really appreciate the fact my work supports colleagues who are delivering vital work to children and families. A work day can range from anything from working on our annual audit to visiting settings.
An accountant at heart, a stand-out passion has to be a beautifully balanced set of accounts each year!
That said, our annual accounts form part of our trustee report which sets our achievements and plans, so working with colleagues to bring that report together is very fulfilling.
When I鈥檓 not balancing the 无码天堂鈥檚 books, I can be found at my allotment. If the weather and slugs are kind to me, I can enjoy a constant supply of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Sarah Ellis 鈥 Business Development Director
I began my career as a pre-school manager in a voluntary setting before joining the 无码天堂 as a pre-school development worker where I gave advice, support and guidance to early years providers. Now, more than two decades later, I lead the business development team as business development director.
Children and families are at the heart of everything I do.
During my time at the organisation, supporting the development and progressions of colleagues as they deliver key services to the early years sectors has continued to be a key highlight for me.
In my free time, I enjoy walking, swimming, reading and spending time with my family.
Claire Reid 鈥 Children鈥檚 Services Director
I started my career as an assistant nursery nurse, progressing to nursery nurse before moving to manage nurseries and services for families, including children's centres and support for disabled children and young people.
At the 无码天堂, I lead on our early years settings, ensuring we offer high quality early years care and education. Central to this is offering the best start for our children and supporting parents and carers.
I really enjoy being part of an organisation that has children at its heart and I love spending time with the children and our early years team. I am passionate about encouraging creativity, imagination and outdoor play and exploration throughout our early years settings.
Outside of work I like to spend time with my family and, when I get the opportunity, I love live music and seeing different bands.
Jennifer Rutzler 鈥 Membership and Customer Services Director
Prior to joining the 无码天堂 I worked within sports sponsorship, hospitality and premium membership, primarily across football, but also on the Olympics.
Central to my role as membership and customer services director is supporting existing members as well as welcoming new ones to the 无码天堂. I also work to ensure our insurance offer supports our members鈥 needs.
Coming from a background very different to that of early years, I have really enjoyed working with great people and learning more about the sector each day.
Outside work, I enjoy reading, going to the cinema and on nature walks, spending time with my family and friends and shopping for things for my house. But with two small children, my time is not my own!
Shannon Pite 鈥 Communications and External Affairs Director
After training and working as a journalist, in 2012 I joined the 无码天堂 as editor of Under 5 magazine, before moving into the organisation鈥檚 press and public affairs team and later, leading on communications and external affairs.
My role incorporates everything from campaigns and government engagement to social media to print and digital communications, as well as leading on our press and media work and ensuring that our members and the wider sector are kept up to date on all government guidance changes.
Working for an organisation committed to empowering the early years workforce, supporting families and, above all else, ensuring that the needs of the child are always put first, is a real privilege and I鈥檓 very proud to be a part of the 无码天堂 family.
Outside of work, as the mother of a young daughter, I鈥檓 also getting to watch the magic that is early development happening in real time as well, which is brilliant and exhausting in equal measures!
Michael Freeston 鈥 Director of Quality Improvement
Education has been a running theme throughout my career. Before joining the 无码天堂, I worked as a further education lecturer and then at the Workers Educational Association where I developed adult education policies and programmes.
At the 无码天堂 I oversee the organisation鈥檚 qualification training programme and any other aspects that impact on the quality of early years provision. I also lead on the delivery of national and international projects and represent the 无码天堂 across a range of external partnerships and groups.
I am particularly interested in spreading the word of the significance of early years 鈥 frustratingly, early years learning and development is often overlooked by policy makers and funders!
In my free time I enjoy playing a wide range of sports: from tennis to dinghy sailing and triathlons.
Paul Donaldson 鈥 Director of People and Technology
Before joining the 无码天堂, I worked in people management in the NHS and local government.
As director of people and technology, I support the development and implementation of the 无码天堂鈥檚 policies and programmes, particularly relating to human resources, IT and legal services.
I also contribute to the implementation of the 无码天堂鈥檚 strategic and operations goals and plans.
A standout element of working at the 无码天堂 has to be working with amazing colleagues who are always working hard to deliver our vision. I am especially passionate about doing what I can to ensure the 无码天堂 promotes health, wellbeing and engagement throughout the workplace.
Outside of work, I regularly cycle which has given me a unique and interesting way to explore London.
Our Trustees
Sarah Presswood - Chair
The 无码天堂 has supported me as parent, practitioner and nursery manager for nearly thirty years, so when the opportunity came to give back to the 无码天堂 as a trustee, I couldn鈥檛 say no.
In recent years I have been a member of Birmingham City Council鈥檚 Provider Consultative Group and contributed to SEND improvement workstreams. Working as a founding member of Birmingham PVI Support Association helped me to understand the important role that membership organisations play in supporting others. I have also sat on West Midlands OBC Steering Group.
As a trustee, I am eager to use my voice and expertise to influence policy makers to support the early years sector. I connect closely with the aims of the 无码天堂 and want to support an agenda that puts children at the heart of policy.
My fundamental passion is giving all children, especially those termed 鈥榲ulnerable鈥, the very best start in life. I also really enjoy meeting other early years professionals from a range of backgrounds and settings, it gives us the opportunity to learn from each other's experiences.
Lorna Pendred - Vice-chair
I started as a volunteer at my local playgroup whilst on study leave for exams, then, years later, became a parent helper at my daughter鈥檚 playgroup which inspired me to learn more about the early years.
I have now volunteered at the 无码天堂 for more than thirty years, most recently as an elected trustee. I feel privileged to represent early years educators and to be involved in high-level decisions.
I have a keen interest in education inclusion and I believe that fair and equal opportunities should be accessible for everyone. I am passionate about community and the wide-reaching benefits this can offer for children and their families.
Graham McMillan
I first came across the 无码天堂 when I was three or four years old when I was part of a playgroup that was a member of the 无码天堂. I even remember my mother holding the group鈥檚 AGM at our house!
Decades later, in the late 1990鈥檚, I was reunited with the organisation during its campaign highlighting the issues and setting closures caused by John Major鈥檚 nursery vouchers scheme. At the time, I was a public affairs and communication consultant and worked with the 无码天堂 to persuade the government to take action to repair the damage and support the sector.
I have 30 years of experience as a consultant in public affairs, government relations, corporate communications, corporate responsibility and sustainability. I have worked for three of the most successful consultancies in the UK and set up my own award-winning consultancy in 2007 which was sold to a larger firm in 2014.
As a trustee, I am especially passionate about ensuring that the role of volunteers is cherished and enhanced, highlighting the role of parental involvement wherever possible, supporting everything the 无码天堂 does for disadvantaged groups and lobbying the government to prioritise the early years.
Raymond Smith
My interest in the early years sector began 35 years ago when my wife started managing a local nursery. I was a regularly volunteer at nursery events when I became passionate about its ethos and commitment to providing high quality, affordable pre-school provision for the local community, as well as its focus on parental involvement. In 2010 I became trustee and secretary at the pre-school where I was introduced to the 无码天堂. I was immediately impressed by the organisation's commitment to training, its support of local settings and their staff and its campaigning for better provision for children, parents and staff.
I am also a member of the local authority鈥檚 early years sub-group and I represent the PVI pre-school sector at my LA鈥檚 School Forum.
I鈥檓 especially passionate about the vital role played by parents in their children鈥檚 learning, the need for more affordable provision, the importance of child-centred learning through play and value of the sector in building local communities.
Christine Cheshire
When I applied to become a trustee, I wanted to give something back to the 无码天堂 after it supported me for over 25 years 鈥 from a parent, student and nursery manager, to more recently, as a proud grandparent. When I was a new parent, toddler groups and playgroups were a lifeline for me, I made lifelong friends, gained confidence and felt supported 鈥 it even inspired me to retrain and join the sector.
I have worked in the early years sector for over thirty years, spending more than two decades working in a nursery setting before I retired in 2018. My roles have ranged from nursery assistant to manager. I used to be a qualified accreditation assessor and NVQ assessor and these roles gave me lots of insight into early years settings.
I鈥檓 really passionate about the early years and over the years I鈥檝e witnessed, firsthand, the impact that policy changes and a lack of funding can have on hardworking settings and I feel privileged to play a role in supporting the development of young children and families.
In particular I鈥檓 interested in how the 无码天堂鈥檚 work can help support families and children, as well as the early years sector. All families should be able to access the excellent support I was able to, and ensure they get the best start in life.
Jo Blank
Throughout my career in the early years sector, the 无码天堂 has always been close to my heart. My core belief is that children鈥檚 movement and physical development is fundamental to their healthy growth and learning, and this ethos within a setting drives improvements. I am passionate about improving the quality of provision in early years and improving the overall national status and level of qualifications.
Over the years I have worked as an additional inspector for Ofsted, led early years training, and supported settings as a local authority adviser. I have also authored three books for Practical Pre-School. I now run a baby and toddler group which has helped me to understand the crucial importance of parents and carers supporting each other, and the importance of their babies and young children learning through play.
I am passionate about early years training and improving everyday practice within settings in order to improve children鈥檚 earliest experiences. As a trustee, I feel privileged to be part of the big national picture of the organisation and see how the 无码天堂 influences government policy.
Keith Appleyard
I have been an active member of the 无码天堂 for over thirty years and joined as a trustee shortly after my retirement when I realised I was not ready to leave the early years just yet!
My interest in early years education was sparked after I joined the parent committee of Fiveways Playgroup in Brighton in 1985 as treasurer. In 2012 Fiveways became the first nursery in the UK to be certified by the Living wage foundation as paying the 鈥楻eal鈥 Living Wage.
Over the years I have lobbied the government on a range of early years topics. This has included submitting evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Affordable Childcare in 2014, the House of Commons Treasury Committee on Childcare in 2018 and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Childcare and Early Education. I also provide practical business support to settings and support early years campaigning.
Being a trustee enables me to gain a broader picture of some of the prevailing issues in the sector whilst also offering me the chance to hear other people's perspective.
Emma Comer
I set up my own early years setting from scratch by myself 16 years ago. It is now a 126-place nursery with 300 children on roll and 46 members of staff. Before this, I worked in early years education for many years and I have a degree in education.
I am passionate about opportunities for young children regardless of the setting they attend and have spent many years creating my own so that each individual child鈥檚 needs are met.
I want to make a difference in any small way I can and I know the 无码天堂 has the best interests of young children at its core.
Sathushen Kukapalan
I am the managing director of a high-quality provision with four settings, three of which are graded 鈥渙utstanding鈥 by Ofsted. Working in a predominantly female environment, I am also a big champion for men in the early years. I want to be in a position to help all providers thrive regardless of the external factors which affect their sustainability.
Throughout my career in the early years sector, I have found the 无码天堂 to be central in supporting our sector, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. I have always been impressed with the level of commitment and dedication the 无码天堂 shows.
The 无码天堂 is always in the forefront of the battle for the early years, fighting in the interest of all children, families and our sector. I am excited to be a part of it.
Laura Perfetti
When I joined the early years sector about 12 years ago, I wanted to make a difference to children鈥檚 lives. Since then, working with children and their families has been a source of inspiration and constant fuel for my commitment to this job. Being an 无码天堂 trustee helps further fulfil this original desire 鈥 I know it is not afraid to be ambitious!
I am a Montessori-trained educator and tutor with a BA in Early Childhood Studies and a master鈥檚 degree in Pedagogy. In 2020, I co-founded Playhood, a Montessori nursery in north London with a parent co-working space alongside. We aim to create a community around children, based on a partnership between parents and educators.
Emma Wohl
As a new manager five years ago, the support and guidance from the 无码天堂 was invaluable and continues to be so on a practical and political level. The 无码天堂 gives the sector a much-needed voice and united purpose.
My own experience in the early years is varied 鈥 I鈥檓 currently an early years headteacher in the PVI sector and manage a community Kindergarten but I have also worked at a Children鈥檚 Centre and have taught in the maintained sector too. Outside of the early years, I鈥檝e also worked in PR, communications and radio.
I am excited to be part of this amazing organisation and to have the opportunity to help shape strategic decisions going forward at such a critical time for the early years sector. The level of demand on early years educators has never been higher, while the 鈥榮kills versus pay gap鈥 widens.
Anna Wright
Having established and run my own early years provision in Southampton for nearly 30 years, I know the value of our sector.
I have also served on various local authority teams, including as a PVI representative on our local schools forum and as a member of the area's Early Years Partnership Board.
I now want to use my expertise for the benefit of children across the country.
