Meet the team
At Little Acorns we're proud to employ a team of fully qualified and experienced teachers to guide your child's development.
Little Acorns Nursery School has been founded by expert practitioners who are passionate about enriching and supporting the lives of families in the local area and beyond. The company mission strives to provide the very best experiences and opportunities for children to enable them to develop a thirst for their future learning adventures.
Find out more about each the key staff members below.
Daniel Garnham QTS
"I am a passionate Early Years specialist and I adore the pastoral side of teaching; I pride myself on the relationships that I develop with the children and families that I teach. I have been a qualified primary school teacher for 15 years now and I also have a little girl and little boy of my own- they are the absolute light of my life!
I love helping our children to become 'world-ready' through teaching confidence, resilience and child voice.
I studied for my teaching qualification at Roehampton University in South West London in 2009 and have since earned my NPQSL leadership qualification.”
Company Director
Nursery Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Bex Rose and Daniel Garnham met whilst teachers at a local primary school 9 years ago. With over 25 years primary school classroom teaching experience between them, they are excited to be spreading their wings and sharing their expertise. They are passionate about preparing children for primary school and giving them the very best start in life.
Bex Rose QTS
Company Director
Business Manager
Deputy Safeguarding Lead
"Following a BA in Music and English, I completed my teacher training at the University of Sussex in 2008 and I've worked as a qualified primary teacher in a variety of schools across the county since.
During the pandemic, I made the leap out of the primary classroom and set up Sussex Kids Hub, providing out-of-school education and childcare across the city. Through our joint desire to create a high-quality Early Years provision, Daniel and I launched Little Acorns in 2022.
I live in Brighton with my wife and daughter, and am passionate about ensuring that equality and diversity run through the fabric of our wonderful setting."
Deputy Manager
Gemma Johnson QTS
“I completed my PGCE at Roehampton University and taught in primary schools in London for 13 years leading Phonics, Reading and Outdoor Learning. I completed lots of CPD during that time, including my NPQML, youth mental health and gender equality and anti-racism training. I believe strongly in the importance of nurturing children’s mental health and wellbeing. I am also committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive setting that values differences and promotes understanding.
I have specialised in Early Years throughout my career and have a particular passion for the Curiosity Approach to learning - using authentic or natural resources and nature to intrigue and ignite curiosity.
I believe outdoor play is essential for children's health and well-being and I love all the opportunities we have for learning through nature in our beautiful outdoor setting. I am so proud of the ethos and community we have created here, both my children have attended and absolutely thrived!”
Lottie Simmonds QTS
Jenni Frampton QTS
SENCO
Room Leader
“I completed a degree in Primary and Early Years Teaching at The University of Bedfordshire in 2019 and taught in West Sussex where I discovered my passion for Early Years.
I love the curiosity of children and finding ways to support their growth is a real joy. Every day is different at Little Acorns!
I am passionate about ensuring every child has the individual support they need to be able to reach their full potential and my role as SENCO allows me to do just that. ”
“I completed a degree in Primary and Early Years Teaching at Sussex University in 2021 where I am now completing a Masters in Childhood and Youth Studies to further develop my knowledge.
I have worked in nurseries and in school settings as a Teaching Assistant and as one to one support, where I enjoyed getting to know individual children and supporting their individual needs.
I am passionate about using emotion coaching to support emotional development and wellbeing. As well as letting children learn and explore through ways that interest them, developing their curiosity of how the world works.”
Ellie Turner QTS
Emily Thomson EYT
Room Leader
Nursery Assistant
“I completed my Primary Education degree in 2023. I previously worked in several nurseries and after school clubs in the UK and abroad.
I have recently taken on the role of Baby Room Lead and am looking forward to furthering my CPD and supporting staff within the Baby Room.
I have a real passion for mental health and believe all children should be taught to understand their emotions and find strategies to navigate them.”
“I started working at Little Acorns after seeing such a positive change in my two children after they became part of the original cohort when the nursery opened in 2022. I was so inspired by the ethos of the setting, the abundance of time spent outdoors and the quality of teaching here that I changed careers to become a member of the team!
I’ve since completed a PGCert in Early Years Teaching at the University of Brighton, so that my teaching and care reflects the high standards our children deserve and matches my passion for the job.
I enjoy silliness, singing, stories and being outdoors in all weathers. We are a small happy family here that I love being a part of.”