Meet the team

Thushnika is a highly experienced Early Years professional with over 18 years of experience in nursery and Montessori settings. She holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s in Education Leadership and Management, and a BA in Early Childhood and Primary Education.

Passionate about creating a warm, safe, and inclusive environment, Thushnika supports children in developing confidence, curiosity, and independence. As a trained paediatric first aider and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), she ensures every child in her care feels safe and supported.

Thushnika believes in working closely with families and staff to provide high-quality care and learning, making the nursery a welcoming place where children can grow, explore, and thrive.

Hello, my name is Amanda. I have been working in early years education for four years. As a mother of three, I am deeply passionate about nurturing children’s growth and watching them blossom into confident, unique individuals. I love encouraging them to explore their interests and providing the support they need on their learning journey. Creating a warm, nurturing environment where children feel secure and empowered spending time with my children, listening to music, and connecting with friends!

Hi, I am Shantel, I have worked over 15 years in early years. I like getting creative with the children and enjoy watching them blossom. In my free time I roller-skate, play steel pans and do lots of outdoor adventures with my two boys.

Hi, I’m Jessica, an Apprentice Early Years Practitioner at Ark Start St Clement. I have a History degree from Queen Mary University of London and previously worked as a carer before starting my apprenticeship. I love working with children and my favourite part of the role is seeing the wonder and excitement they experience in the smallest things adults often take for granted. I enjoy supporting them in a safe, nurturing environment. In my free time, I’m very creative — I like to draw, write, and just generally make things.

I’m really excited to start my journey as an Early Years Educator apprentice because I enjoy working with young children and giving them support with their learning and how they develop their confidence.

I am passionate about creating a safe, friendly and warm environment for the little ones. I have gained experience with children through nursery volunteering, supporting primary school children and as a Teaching Assistant. These experiences have helped me develop my communication, teamwork, and enthusiasm bringing positive energy and building positive relationships with the children.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love being creative and doing artistic things and I hope I can share these skills with kids and help them to find themselves and what they enjoy doing.

Kristy is our Area Manager at Ark Start. With over 20 years experience of working in Early Years in areas of deprivation, Kristy ran her own outstanding Nursery and is passionate about giving all children the best start in their early years of development.

Kristy has a passion for reading books and loves sharing books with children and supporting families to reconnect through stories and singing.

Kristy really enjoys going on holiday and spending lots of time with her children and grandchildren.

Molly is Director of Early Years at Ark and runs Ark Start nurseries. She is passionate about providing quality education for young children and has worked in the early years for over 12 years – as a nursery headteacher, nursery manager, reception teacher, and as a primary school senior leader responsible for safeguarding, SEN, Early Years and early reading, including synthetic phonics to name a few.

She loves singing and storytelling and knows how fun and motivating it is for young children to learn more about the world through stories, songs and experiences. Originally from New Zealand, Molly enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible and, in her spare time, she loves cuddling her cats.