About Oak Cottage
Oak Cottage was established in 1963. We became a Community Interest Company in 2019.
We have an experienced management team that are responsible for ensuring the long term sustainability of the nursery; Oak Cottage Manager and Director Gemma Bonwick (Bachelor of Arts Degree- Professional studies in Learning and Development- Brighton University), Business Manager and Director Stacey Hall and Deputy Managers Georgia Wickham (term time) and Sara Tharme (holidays)
I have worked at Oak Cottage for 25 years and been manager since 2015 and love every moment of it (yes even the tough days). It's a privilege to work with such an amazing team who all work together to create a nurturing and caring environment for the babies and children in our care. We are lucky to be based in a community like Woodingdean – the support parents have shown to our nursery is fantastic and we are now working with the children of children that came to the nursery when they were young'
Gemma Bonwick Nursery Manager and Director
(Bachelor of Arts degree in Learning and development - Brighton University)
"Children are happy, settled and confident. They make good progress from their starting points….Children develop positive attitudes towards learning and a willingness to give things a go."
"Staff are positive role models and children behave well and think of others."
Our nursery is part of Operation Encompass, a joint project with Sussex police providing early reporting to schools and nurseries of any domestic abuse incidents.
