Governance

Little Thinkers Nursery

Welcome to Little Thinkers, where we nurture young minds and foster a love for learning from an early age. Our nursery provision is designed to provide a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment for children to explore, discover, and grow.

Our Mission

At Little Thinkers, our mission is to support the holistic development of every child. We believe in creating a foundation for lifelong learning through play-based activities, structured learning, and personalised care.

Governance and Leadership

Little Thinkers is overseen by a dedicated team of non-executive directors who play a crucial role in our governance structure. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to ensure that our nursery provision operates at the highest standards.

Role of Non-Executive Directors

Non-executive directors at Little Thinkers are responsible for:

  • Strategic Oversight: Providing guidance on the strategic direction and long-term goals of the nurseries.
  • Accountability: Ensuring that the nurseries meets their objectives and comply with regulatory requirements.
  • Support and Advice: Offering independent advice and support to the executive team, drawing on their diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
  • Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks to safeguard the interests of the children, staff, and stakeholders.
  • Performance Monitoring: Evaluating the performance of the nursery and its leadership to ensure continuous improvement.
Name 
Role 
Declaration 
Appointed By 
Date of Appointment 
Stepped Down 

Sonia Nickerson 

Non-Executive Director 

Thinking Schools Academy Trust Employee 

Trust Board 

07.04.2022 

 

Anna Webb 

Non-Executive Director 

Thinking Schools Academy Trust Employee 

Trust Board 

24.01.2025 

 

Kirstie Jones 

Non-Executive Director 

Thinking Schools Academy Trust Employee

Governor at Thames View School. 

Trust Board 

26.05.2024 

 

Tracy Downer 

Non-Executive Director 

No business interests to declare 

Trust Board 

01.05.2025 

 

Gerard Newman

Non-Executive Director

Thinking Schools Academy Trust - Chair of the Board of Trustees

Thinking Solutions for Education - Director

Rainham Mark Education Trust - Member

Oxon Global Inc. - Chief Executive Officer

OxG Consulting Ltd - Director

Oxon Global Consulting Ltd (Pvt) - Director

Trust Board

08.10.2025

 

Kelly Denton

Non-Executive Director 

Husband works for SUEZ waste

Sister in Law works for Zenergy

Employed by Thinking Schools Academy Trust 

Director of Thinking Solutions for Education Ltd

Member of Bluebell Academy Trust 

Trust Board 

23.01.2026

 

Tim Stephens

Non-Executive Director

Owner of Acorns Pre-School and currently a TSAT AGB Governor

Trust Board

30.03.2026

 

Lee Miller 

Non-Executive Director 

Thinking Schools Academy Trust CEO 

Trust Board 

18.06.2015 

23.01.2026


 

Non-Executive Director

No. of Meetings Attended – 2025-26

Lee Miller

1/1

Sonia Nickerson

3/3

Anna Webb

1/3

Kirstie Jones

1/3

Tracey Downer

2/3

Kelly Denton

2/2

Gerard Newman

2/2

Tim Stephens

1/1

Sparky Logo

If you would like to find out more information about Little Thinkers, please get in touch with us today. Click the link above to contact our nurseries.